-Alvery's Point of View-

I ran up to the stage, seeing both Camille and Clopin struggling in their nooses, both of their faces changing colors. "Wait," I screeched from a distance. The captain of the guard pulled the lever the opposite direction and they were standing again. They both were gasping for breath and leaning their chins on the nooses. "I-I'll marry him," I stuttered out nervously, the crowd's eyes on me.

I saw the captain's eyes widen, probably surprised someone would bother marrying him to save them. Clopin looked as if he would refuse if he could breathe but he couldn't and so the captain granted my request and the soldiers left, only unbinding them and leaving them there. Two gypsies in the crowd hopped up and helped them.

A motherly looking woman was helping Clopin and smiled at me and tilted her head, giving me signal to follow. I nodded and followed the woman, Clopin, Camille, and a scrawny man helping Camille to a graveyard. Once there, they removed the gravestone off one of the larger tombs. Instead of a body inside, it was a set of stairs.

We descended the stairs into a tunnel of sewage, moving at a rather slow pace so that Camille and Clopin could keep pace. The two were beginning to get their breathing back on track when we were supposedly almost at the Court of Miracles. I felt someone grab my shoulder and I shrieked, jumping toward Clopin and the older woman.

Camille laughed a little, still leaning on the man. I didn't see what was so humorous about a bunch of living skeletons. "What are you guys trying to do? Scare our future queen?" Camille giggled. The skeletons laughed and took off their masks to reveal other gypsies in disguises, making me feel foolish.

-Clopin's Point of View-

I smiled a little at the scene while many of the men laughed loudly. I waved my hand and they nodded with smiles and went back to their hiding places. Alvery stayed closer to us now that she was nearly scared to death. We arrived in the Court of Miracles finally, me leaning on Tante Marie nearly the entire way.

"Let's get you off to the baths, Clopin," she whispered to me in Romani. I nodded and she let me hobble beside her and over to the tents containing the baths.

I raised my eyes to look at her. "Where are they taking Alvery?" I asked with a sore voice.

She smiled at me, guiding me to one of the unoccupied tents. "I'm sure Camille will take good care of her. I'll make breakfast for you, Camille, and Alvery tomorrow and perhaps we can get this sorted out…"

I tilted my head in confusion. "Sort what out?"

She looked at me puzzled, questioning herself. "Didn't they say she would have to marry you in order to save you?"

I looked down. "Well then perhaps once Cam and I have healed a bit we can start on a bit of a preparation. Just alert everyone, find a jug, and we'll have the wedding." She nodded and helped me strip my clothing then helping me into a bath. I winced as the warm water touched all the wounds from the strikes I received. She left to get some bandages and within an hour or two, I walked back to my tent with little support.

I looked over at Cam before I entered. She was seated on a crate not that far away. "Where's Alvery?" I asked, my eyes skimming the court.

"I killed her," Cam mumbled. My eyes went to her, widening. She gave a small, weak laugh. "Relax, Clop. She's in one of the unoccupied tents near the women's side." I just nodded and walked into my tent, landing comfortably on my bed. Tante Marie must have gotten the word around quickly since I had a bed made for two under my body now.

I lied my head down, pulling the covers around me as my eyes scanned the tent. I wouldn't have this tent just to myself much longer. I always liked the company though.

I saw my hat resting on the bed post nearest my head. I brushed my tan fingers along the brim of it. It was a little tattered and torn but still a magnificent hat none the less. It had been passed through my family for generations. I would wear this hat to my wedding for sure. It would make me feel like my father was still there for me. I began to feel my eyes close and enveloped myself in the soft sheets and the mattress beneath me.

Author's Note- Reviews are always loved!