-Clopin's Point of View-

I watched at Camille was lead to the left staircase in the Palace of Justice while I went to the right. I had come here so many times that I have the whole place nearly mapped out. To the left, where Cam was going, were the cells. The right was the torture chamber. I walked up the stairs reluctantly and was the shoved, more for amusement than need.

I was quickly stripped of most of my clothing and the soldiers had fun bringing whips down on my bare back. I vowed to try not to scream but it couldn't be helped as I felt blood starting to go down my back. I began to scream with every lash after that and after about two days, they finally stopped the torture. I blacked out and awoke, wincing at the great pain that struck through my back and ribs as I faintly remembered being kicked by a metal foot at some point.

I looked to the cell next to me to see Camille, watching me sleepily. "You were knocked out for awhile there, Clop," she whispered. I crawled a little towards where our bars met and rested my head against them. She began to stroke my forehead and into my hair. "You're burning up with a fever though it's no surprise. You were sleeping on a grimy prison floor for two or threes days…"

I let her keep petting me for awhile until I felt a terrible churning in my stomach. I jerked back a little from her and she threw me a worried look. I knelt and went toward the wall then threw a glance at Camille. "It's all right, I won't look," she stated giving me ease to clear my stomach. After vomiting for awhile, I finally backed off the wall and collapsed into sleep on the filthy floor again.

When I awoke, I was being dragged through the Palace of Justice in chains, the guards kicking me to get moving. Camille was at my side. She was keeping pace but they kicked her for the heck of it all. We got outside, both of us were blinded a minute or so because of the sunlight. We were being lead to the gallows, an ever famous place for "disposing" of gypsies. I sighed, nearly leaning on the guard holding my hands together once we reached the wooden platform.

I heard multiple shouts from the crowd now surrounding the platform as the bottom. Most were referring to me. "Who will be entertaining my children now?", "They are innocent!", and "What did they do to deserve this?" were among the many things being shouted. Some were on board with us being hanged. I looked into the crowd and met the eyes of Alvery's father who was saying nothing. He held a defensive and powerful stance but the widening of his eyes showed that he didn't think we would get hanged for this. I barely noticed the rope being placed around my neck until I turned my head to the new Captain of the Guard.

He was the replacement of our beloved Dweebus. I had to admit though; this guy wasn't very intimidating without the power to pull the lever. He looked over at me, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Well, if it isn't the King of Gypsies and his faithful little sidekick," he announced, the crowd growing quieter. I looked at him through my hair that was slightly covering my face. "Well, fortunately for you gypsies, the crowd seems to be mostly on your side. How 'bout we make a little bet?" he asked, looking directly at me. I waited there motionless, waiting for him to speak again. "If a Parisian woman will take you as her husband, you and the gypsy woman shall be spared. Deal?" I thought this over briefly. There was no downside. If I said no then I would get death immediately anyway. I nodded and sighed as I listened to the women talking among themselves about who would marry me. I knew none of them would want our life willingly.

I heard the Captain of the Guard start up again, still amused. "Will anyone take this gypsy's hand in marriage?" His voice was laced with mockery. "How about you, Armandine? You have two single daughters," he teased. I saw the woman I knew as Alvery's mother tense and glare at him.

-Alvery's Point of View-

I watch with tear-filled eyes as I watched Clopin and Camille get put into nooses. I felt guilt ever since they were arrested and it prevented me from any sleep. Cerise sat on my bed. She had given up trying to look out the window. For one, she was too short. Secondly, she was too young. Third, I wouldn't let her. She knew what was going to happen and she wasn't happy at all about it.

"What's happening now, Alv?

I sighed. "I don't know. The Captain of the Guard said something that struck up a lot of conversation."

Cerise asked the first thing that came to her mind. "Do you think they're going to hang him, Alv?" she asked quietly.

"I really hope not. They didn't kidnap me. I ran into him that night and some guard thought we were both gypsies. He carried me to Notre Dame and the next morning we ran into Camille on the way here. Dad saw them with me and thought the worse." I sunk to the floor and watched as Cerise ran from the room. I assumed she went to go do something to take her mind off of the situation but I was far from right. She came back with a bag and began to pack some of my favorite items and clothes. I looked at her in confusion. "Cerise, what are you-"

Cerise handed me the bag. "Alv, I might only be eight but I can tell who's in love with whom. You might always tease him and make fun of him to his face and he returns it, but you love him. I know you do and I bet you he hopes you do too. If you go up to the stage and request to marry him, they might let him and Camille go. If not, at least Clopin will know how you feel about him." I nodded and picked up the bag and ran down the stairs and out the door. I only hope I could make it in time.

-Clopin's Point of View-

"Well, gypsy, it seems you are out of luck. No woman will take you. So, men on my mark, pull the lever for the gypsy king's trapdoor. One, two, and... three!" The lever was pulled and I hanged there. Fortunate for me and my life, my father had taught me a way to hang in a noose without my neck snapping immediately. I was gasping for breath as my feet had no support and I was hanging on the rope. This kept me alive but it would only work for so long. I gasped for breath, my air supply getting shorter and shorter...

Author's note: It is not over yet! It is far from over! Review please =)