(The Cinematic Orchestra ; Arrival of the Birds ) - in case you would like to listen to the song I wrote this to. It's beautiful, the song that is.

"Are you mad!" Clopin shouted as Esmeralda made her way towards the shadows of the catacombs. She had returned to the Court of Miracles in one piece, but that alone did not stop the legion of questions that flanked at all her sides. Djali, much to her delight, was thoroughly pleased to see Esmeralda. She spent most of her return on the ground, coddling her horned baby, while her friends surrounded her, bombarding her with questions she did not feeling like tending to.

Now Esmeralda was heading back to the surface to find the judge and make sure all things were well with the king. Being beneath the ground meant being cut off from news and other imperative means, she couldn't wait any longer, her insides were chewing her apart.

As she traipsed through the muddied pile of bones, bracken, and resting places, Clopin continued to patronize her. He had followed her deep into the catacombs, far enough to make Esmeralda believe he was coming with.

"King Louis is out there waiting for our kind to reveal themselves and you think you can just pop out from beneath the ground, no harm, no foul!" He bawled. "You're going to get yourself captured! Or worse!"

"Hush now, Clopin." Hissed Esmeralda, "That's why I'm going at nightfall. No one will see me."

"What is your plan, Esmeralda? Are you checking up on that pretentious monster? What has he ever done for us besides murder and torture?" Clopin's words were falling out faster than his lips could manage. Esmeralda spun around and grabbed him by his colorful collar.

"Listen carefully, Clopin." She snapped. "He may be the monster you claim, but he has helped me in ways you will not understand." She then shoved him away from her and turned back to her path towards the graveyard exit.

Clopin stilled as he watched her go. "He was merely collecting you, Esmeralda. Gathering the bounty on your head." He called out. She hadn't fully reciprocated enough information to Clopin during her time in Notre Dame. She failed to mention a number of incidents that probably would have effected many of the threats he had thrown her way, as well as cripple his prejudice view of Frollo alongside.

Esmeralda clenched her jaw as she mounted the neglected stairs that would lead her to the graveyard. "As you were, Clopin." She replied as she pushed the catacombs door open, allowing the winter's moon light spill onto the steps.

Upon Esmeralda's return, she retired from her evening gown Frollo had given to her, to a more suitable winter attire, consisting of black trousers, her favorite red colored tunic and snow boots she acquired during her trek through Russian a few years back. Despite the garments being heavier than what the gypsy was normally accustomed to, it staved off the biting cold and kept her feet warm. Alongside her adjusted wardrobe, she draped herself in a wool cloak, keeping the hood closely over her head so if wandering eyes did linger upon her, they hadn't much to go off from.

Clearing the fence, the concealed gypsy landed on the courtyard side of the Palace of Justice where she slinked into the gardening area where the shadows were abundant. Her heart raced upon seeing the palace for a number of reasons. One of which she preferred not to consider a reason, at all.

Though the garden was scarce with vegetation, the vines had left a thick nest of twigs and wooden braid of their skeletons along archways that led her to the back entrance of the palace. She assumed the doors were locked and had barely an idea where Frollo's private chamber would be located. Lucky for her, she felt adventurous, and once she infiltrate the palace's boundaries, she was free to roam. Even if the guards saw her, Frollo would not allow anything to happen on her behalf.

Esmeralda started by carefully scaling a barren trellis against the stone wall. It brought her up to a balcony where she hopped over the stone banister and tiptoed towards the balcony door. Cupping her hands around her eyes, she blocked the moonlight out and stared through the glass. From what she could tell only a smoldering fireplace and very few pieces of furniture resided on the other side.

Checking the latch, she twisted the knob slowly.

A click and a fast release, she drew the door open with awe.

"What fools!" She whispered giddily to herself as she slipped between the opening. She closed the door and pressed against the frame. She felt thrilled in this adventure, it deemed to be far too long since Esmeralda got to enjoy her mischievous nature. Her inner trickster was in full throw.

She glanced about her new setting and noted how vast the room appeared, even in the low light, it was grandeur. The fireplace was filled with ash and decaying embers, sinking into the grey remains as they burned softly. The balcony windows were plain, as far as the rest of the windows within the room, they stretched high and heavenward, mosaic in color and art, casting their hued glow to the cold floor with the moon's succor. Like Notre Dame, the ceiling peaked with elegant and well-manicured arches that collected mostly shadows and very light moonshine.

She pressed off the door and proceeded to the exit.

Once there, she listened through the surface for footfalls or voices she might run into on the other side. Still maintaining a somewhat nonchalant and carefree disposition, she still wanted to surprise Frollo with her crafty intrusion, if it even an intrusion at all. When she heard nothing, she eased the door ajar and peered into the corridor.

Empty.

Creeping out into the dimly lit hall, she hurried to one side and edged towards every passing door with precaution, coupled with ardor. So far every door seemed either empty inward or locked. Now that Esmeralda was indoors and well beyond authorized limits, she began to second guess herself.

Was he on the third floor? Perhaps the first? What if he weren't here at all?

As she tiptoed passed what seemed like another disappoint, she heard the creaking groan of a bed frame and a sigh, definitely masculine in tone.

Esmeralda faltered there, she hunkered down and squeezed one eye shut as she peered through the key slot. She didn't recognize the room, but she was familiar with the smell that wafted beneath her nose. A grin lifted her full lips as her hand wrapped around the handle. Easing the entryway open, it groaned immediately, causing Esmeralda to freeze in place. Her heart caught in her throat while her ears strained for sign that she had awoken the judge. Once she realized she hadn't, she slipped into the chamber and quietly shut the door behind her.

She wanted to pounce.

She wanted to sneak onto the bed, arouse him with kisses.

She desired to do a number of things, but couldn't seem to pick with the excitement that predominated her thoughts. Instead, she withdrew her hood and eased softly across the floor until she was bedside while avoiding the moonlight that sliced a sliver across the bed and a small portion of the room.

Ebullience buzzed through her veins at intoxicating levels as Esmeralda mounted the bed one leg at a time. The figure could be anyone, she thought. But the overwhelming aroma of parchment paper, books and sweet wine told her she was no fool. Considering his state of oblivious disposition, she reined against startling Frollo too terribly bad, for fear the man just might keel over.

She straddled his hips over the bedding and settled her weight down.

Immediately, he stirred awake, his head turning forward to see who was upon his body.

Both hands seized her by her hips as she leaned forward over his shadowed face until their lips brushed against each other.

As the kiss deepened, their mouth's melting as one, Esmeralda barely noticed the facial hair that brushed along her chin, or the faint smell of sweat and cheap perfume. He lifted from upward, wrapping his arms around Esmeralda's torso to bring her closer and it was then that the moon light gave her what she did not want.

For before her was not the Judge Claude Frollo.

But the Captain of the Guard.

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Huge, huge, huge thanks to my beloved friend, Nessa for helping me with the chapter and getting the words and setting out that I need. Probably one of the most comical, playfully writers out there. Cheesydork is her screen name and she is excellent at Marvel fanfics, and is currently writing AU Guardian's of the Galaxy, which has received so much support. Please take a gander her way if you need a laugh.