Author's note: Moving on with careful steps into the dark…
12. Six Bells
"They'll plunder willy-nilly,
Say the bells of Caerphilly.
They have fangs, they have teeth,
Shout the loud bells of Neath.
Even God is weary,
Say the moist bells of Swansea.
What will you give me?
Say the sad bells of Rhymney"
Quasimodo was asleep, so deeply he didn't hear the howls of the wolves in the distance. His mind was too full of questions to mind the sounds or so it was until he heard the unmistakable voice of the bells. Its song was sad, almost mourning, but powerful and it woke the boy up from his slumber. The bell-ringer looked around, hoping to see that it was his friends playing jokes but, much to his surprise, the toll came from beyond the walls of Paris. Quasi remembered then that Esmeralda had mentioned that Courtaud and the wolves came from the forest of Rambouillet, and the bells were ringing in that direction but it made no sense. How come they could hear them from so far? The hunchback glanced at Clopin, who was still deeply asleep. Did the puppeteer know something he didn't?
"Quasi?" Laverne and the other were awake.
"Do you guys hear it?" the young man looked towards the balcony.
"Hear what?" asked Hugo. The bells tolled again in the distance. "Oh, that. We thought it was you doing rehearsals for tomorrow"
"It comes from Rambouillet. It sounds troubled" Quasi walked to the railing. (Back then, they had no phones so church bells had to do that job, duh!)
"You don't think they are in some mess, right?" Victor looked towards the forest. It was too dark beyond the walls of Paris.
"I'm not sure, but it can't be a coincidence. First, the skull, the attacks of the wolves and now this. We have to do something" he walked back inside and checked on Clopin. "I have to get Esmeralda and Phoebus, but I can't leave him here all alone. No offense"
"None taken" Laverne checked the pulse of the Rom. "He's doing all right, but maybe you should take him with you. Just in case"
"You sure?"
"Hey, we are good at nursing. We'll manage, after all we took care of you for more than twenty years" smiled Hugo.
"That's very noble and all that, but there's a teeny-tiny problem" said the oldest gargoyle.
"What?"
"If something happens, no one will be able to notice us, you dim wit!" grumbled Victor.
"How come?" asked the pig.
"Cuz no one else can talk to us, you buffoon!" Laverne gave him a smack. "Don't mind us, boy, but your friend. Am sure you'll think of something, Quasi. Don't worry"
"I just hope you're right" the hunchback gently scooped the Rom and was surprised to notice how light he was. "I'll be back as soon as possible, I promise"
"Be really careful this time, Quasi. I got a bad feeling about this one" the old gargoyle whispered and the young man walked down stairs. The Archdeacon was asleep so the bell-ringer had no problems to leave the cathedral and go towards the house of Phoebus. Once at the front door, the young man was surprised to see some sort of ruckus going on inside. Before he could knock, the front door opened and he found himself standing before a troubled Esmeralda.
"Uh, I-eh, hi, Esmeralda!"
"Quasi? How did you… Never mind. Get in!" she helped him inside and they laid Clopin down on one of the beds. "What are you doing here?"
"I, uh, well I heard bells in the distance. It sounds like trouble, or so I think. Maybe I overreacted" the hunchback noticed then tears on her eyes. "Esme, are you ok? What's going on?"
"Pierre's gone" she sobbed.
"What?" Quasi was breathless. "Ho-how? When?"
"We don't know. Djali woke us up all of a sudden and when we got to his room… he was gone! Vanished into the thin air! Oh, Quasi! I don't know what to do. I'm trying to think where did he go but I'm running out of ideas" Esmeralda looked for some comfort in his friend's arms. "Phoebus is talking to all of our neighbors and without Clopin's wisdom, I feel lost"
"He'll turn up soon enough, you'll see"
"What if he doesn't? He must be so scared and cold"
"He's a brave little fellow. Pierre is a smart kid, I'm sure he's ok" Quasi smiled. He knew that those words were only to calm them both and that made him shiver.
"Thanks, Quasi. You're absolutely right" the woman sighed. "You said something about some bells"
"Ouh, yeah, right, those! They are ringing right now and the sound comes from Rambouillet. I don't know if it has something to do with all this mess but since the wolves come from that town, well. I, uh, also think that's not a mass they are playing but asking for help. And if those wolves spoke about children, well, uh"
"C'mon" Esmeralda got up and they went to fetch Phoebus. The blonde captain was skeptical, but they had little to discuss. Once Esme made up her mind about something, there was no point in arguing. They took Clopin to Claire at the Court and headed towards the walls of Paris. The King and his men were there trying to decide the best way to defend the city.
"Ah, Captain! Right on time" Charles smiled. The young monarch walked to the blonde soldier. "Going somewhere at this hour?"
"I'm afraid yes, your Honor. My son has disappeared and we think it has something to do with the bells that are now ringing in the distance"
"My sister thought the same and is getting ready to get there with Judge Jehan. We need to barricade Paris to confront those monsters and that means I need you here" the monarch puffed.
"Sir, my son needs me. I can't…"
"We've sent men to Rambouillet, Captain. If your son is there, he'll be rescued. As your king, I command you to stay and protect your country. Send the hunchback and your wife home. That's an order" Charles went back to his men. Esmeralda could only stare at her husband. Phoebus was blocked between his family and his duty, he couldn't disobey the king. She wanted to scream at him, but knew that Phoebus couldn't compromise his position one more time. It could mean losing his job and sending his family to destruction. The woman looked down and began to weep. Quasimodo sighed, listening again to the distant toll. It was strange, the 'nearer" they got the fuzzier the sound was. Something was off.
"Uh, Your Highness! A word with thee, if I may" the hunchback walked to the monarch. "You said some men left for the woods, how long has it been since they parted?"
"Ah! You must be the famous bell-ringer! It's an honor to meet you at last"
"Thank you, sir"
"Why do you want to know about those soldiers?"
"Phoebus' son is a friend of mine. Please, Your Majesty. When did those men leave?"
"Quite a long while ago. Why?"
"Because I think your men are in real danger, sir. Those bells are crying for help and it's funny that they haven't been silenced by now if those men really got there" Quasimodo pointed out. Phoebus and Esme shared a glance, their friend was right. Something was terribly wrong and that could only mean that Pierre's life was on the line. "We must act"
"We can't just run into the woods without a plan! I understand your concern but this is stupid"
"…"Quasi's breathing hitched and Esmeralda burst.
"You have just sent your men to die! And my son, my Pierre, an innocent boy along with them! And you are not going to send help? What kind of a king are you?"
"I understand your anger, woman, but control that tongue of yours. Your Gypsy King is no better than me"
"My king cares for his people and would never, EVER, send his comrades towards a certain death, unlike you monster!" barked Esmeralda and his husband pulled her back.
"Captain, take your wife home NOW!"
"Yes, sir! C'mon, Essie" Phoebus dragged her towards Achilles.
"Mark my words, you spoiled brat! If something happens to my son, I'll throw you to the wolves MYSELF!" Esmeralda pulled and fought but the soldier was finally able to take her away while Quasimodo ran to find the Queen. He found her just in time, looking at a map along Jehan.
"Quasimodo. What are you doing here?" the judge frowned. "Your Honor, this is the bell-ringer of Notre Dame. The man I told you about"
"Nice to meet you, Monsieur" Anne smiled.
"Same to you Your, ahem, Honor. I, uh, I need your help. A boy has been kidnapped and the village in Rambouillet might be in great danger"
"The Queen saw a wolf carrying two children a while ago, which must be the one you are talking about" Jehan explained.
"How are you so sure about that, my good man?" asked Anne.
"The bells. They have been ringing for a long while and yet their tolling is strange. Something's not right. The men your brother sent might be dead by now" answered the hunchback. "I know you have no reasons to believe me, but it's my best proof. Please, Your Majesty. Pierre is like a little brother to me"
"I understand" Anne nodded and walked to her horse. "Ride with me"
"Uh, I, well" the hunchback blushed
"Your Majesty, he's a peasant and he's…" said Jehan, trying to look stern.
"I don't care for your protocol or rules right now, Judge. Our people have need of their King and that's what they'll get" the Queen insisted and Quasi climbed on the stallion while Jehan got unto his. "To Rambouillet then"
"Yes, Madam" nodded the hunchback.
"Hold on tight" Anne gently hit his steed and they started a mad race towards the woods followed by at least ten armed soldiers. Jehan rode next to the Queen and kept a hand next to his sword. An hour of travelling went by like a dream and they were soon surrounded by the green paradise and smells of the woods. According to the map, they were standing in front of the entrance of Rambouillet. There was a strange silence in the air. The bells were still ringing but it was like a hollowed whisper, a ghostly sound coming out of nowhere. It made no sense. Quasimodo moved the branches aside to have a better look while Anne talked to his men. Jehan stood right next to the bell ringer. Their hearts stopped dead. The beautiful town of Rambouillet was no more. It had been swallowed by the forest and instead of its villagers; an angry swarm of wolves was waiting for them.
Surprise, surprise!
Plot twist!
