Hello again! I'm back and with Chapter Twelve in tow! Now we get to see how Esmeralda and Sophia escape Frollo! This chapter for some reason was harder to write than the last three. I'm not sure why. So this chapter I feel a bit unsure of, but please, don't kill me. If need be I'll do it over again. I'm comng up on some really hard choices to make with which directions I want to take and how I want them to play out. Next chapter is definatly going to be a challenge. But that's what makes writing fun! Challenges. Anyway! Onward my dear readers! Onward I say!

Chapter Twelve

Trapped Behind Stone Walls

Third Person

Sophia's POV

What defined as a good idea was marching Sophia and Esmeralda, Phoebus between them, down towards the doors, each of their arms in his hold. Apparently this was all to be an act. The plan was, as he explained, simple. He told them that Frollo couldn't arrest them as long as they were inside Notre Dame and claimed sanctuary. So they were going to pretend to struggle with him while he marched them to the doors and when they got within earshot of Frollo, they would claim their freedom. Easy right? Sophia had her doubts.

As Phoebus gripped her left upper arm, Sophia stole a glance at the pillar that hid Quasi from sight. She sighed, wishing that he hadn't witnessed Frollo's attack. She knew he was dying to come out, but at this point it was better if he stayed where he was, both for his sake and for the sake of the plan. He was going to scold the life out of her when all this was said and done. She grimaced, she was not looking forward to it at all.

"Remember the plan?" Phoebus whispered as he leaned down to her level.

The act alone was difficult because he had to bend down a considerable amount. While Phoebus was roughly six feet tall, Sophia was barely over four and a half.

She nodded in reply as she whispered back, "This better work."

"You and me both," He laughed quietly before turning to Esmeralda, who was on his left, and repeating the question.

She sighed, she really did hope this idea of his worked, because if it didn't . . . She let the thought hang in her mind. She didn't want to think on it too much.

"I'm waiting Captain!" Frollo shouted from the doors, his impatience emanate in his tone.

"Ready?" The golden-haired man asked them quietly. Both Sophia and Esmeralda nodded in reply. "Alright then."

Phoebus raised his head and shouted down to Frollo, "Yes Sir! Just going over procedure!"

A grumbled 'Very well' floated down to them and Sophia couldn't help but snicker. As impatient as Frollo was being he still had enough constraint to show Phoebus enough respect. After all, from the look of him, the golden-haired soldier was indeed a trained warrior. That is, if the sword on his belt was anything to go by. It looked very authentic.

"Let us go," Encouraged Esmeralda, nodding towards the doors. "It would be best not to keep the wolf waiting."

And so they began the trek towards the doors. Nervousness coiled in her stomach as they passed the first series of pillars and she glanced back just in time to see Quasi poke his head out from behind his hiding place. She saw his eyes widen in horror as Phoebus led her and Esmeralda away and his mouth opened to mouth 'no'. Guilt filled her at seeing his thoroughly distraught expression, he didn't know that this was just an act.

'It's okay,' she mouthed back to him, hoping he would understand. 'It'll be fine.'

It did nothing to soothe the worried look he shot back at her. He was not fully convinced and Sophia's heart sank even lower. The sound of someone clearing their throat drew her attention from her friend and towards the source of the disruption. Frollo was standing in front of the center oak door, arms crossed and tucked accordingly into the wide sleeves, and looking very impatient. Phoebus pushed them onwards, this time quickening his pace so as not to keep the judge waiting further. This was definably not going to be an easy task.

"The two of you will be sent to the Palace of Justice to await appropriate disciplinary action for your crimes," Began Frollo as they came to a halt directly in front of him. "Which will be decided by myself and several other important figures."

Sophia's anger simmered on the boarder of outrage and pure onslaught. She wanted nothing more than to rip that stupid hat off his head and straggle him with the crimson tail. She clenched her fists tightly so not as not to completely forgo the plan. She had to try and ignore Frollo otherwise her temper would get the better of her and she would end up attacking him for real. That would not be the best idea in the world. Plus, she was liable to be sentenced to death for such an act. She bit her tongue in the effort to keep herself from answering back with a snarky retort. A sharp tongue would only cause more trouble than the situation was worth. After all, they were trying to get out of being arrested; she didn't need jump from the frying pan into the fire.

"Anything else you need Sir?" Phoebus asked tonelessly, resuming his role as soldier.

"No Captain," Frollo said curtly, then removed a hand from his sleeve and pointed it lazily at them. "Take them."

About six of the judge's ten men came forward to remove them from Phoebus' grasp. Sophia felt cornered with nowhere to go and nowhere to hide. Exposed. A man reached out and grabbed her right arm and pulling her away from Phoebus entirely; he was none the gentle either. Meanwhile, Esmeralda too was having difficulties of her own. She was struggling hard against two of Frollo's burliest soldiers and seemed to be winning until another guard came up behind her and pulled hard on her raven waves. The gypsy woman cried out, both in surprise and in pain. Thinking that they put up enough of a fight, Sophia decided to act.

"Sanctuary! We claim Sanctuary!"

The soldiers hold on her faltered only the slightest bit, but that was all she needed. She ripped her arms from the two soldiers and took several unsteady steps back, her breathing labored and her chest rising and falling heavily. Esmeralda was able to throw off her own restrainers before rushing to Sophia's side. Phoebus, who had moved a considerable amount of feet away, stood in the shadow of a nearby pillar, a smug expression upon his face. Frollo looked absolutely furious. He shot the captain an accusing look, but he just held up his gloved hands in mock truce.

"I'm sorry sir," He seemed to be managing to pull off a pretty good ruse. "I didn't hear them say anything. They must have come up with this before I-"

The judge cut him off short and pointed an angry finger to the oak door behind him, "Then drag them outside and-"

Sophia prepared herself to grab Esmeralda's hand and bolt for the safety of the circular staircase but, just as she reached for the gypsy's hand, another set of footsteps approached. The young redhead turned slightly in the direction of the steps just in time to see the archdeacon round the corner of a nearby alcove and looking severely displeased.

"Frollo!" He pointed a stern finger at the judge, looking very displeased indeed.

She jumped, feeling as if she was the one who had done wrong. She had never heard the archdeacon speak in such angered tones before; it was quite intimidating to say the lest. She inwardly hoped she never got on his bad side and the very thought inwardly sent chills down her spine. Angering a man of the cloth was never a good idea. Never.

"You will not lay hands on these children!" The archdeacon scolded, giving the judge a stare worthy of his own. He turned his attention to Sophia and asked in a much gentler tone. "Are you alright my child?"

Sophia couldn't seem to find her voice so all she managed was a small nod.

"Very well," The archdeacon agreed before turning his attention back to Frollo. "They are under the protection of the Church, Your Honor. Your power stops before those doors."

Frollo continued to glare at him, "Then the moment they step outside those doors, they are mine."

The archdeacon said nothing, but remained strong in his stance and gave no indication of faltering in face. Seeing as Frollo was not going to be able to bait the deacon, he raised a thin arm and made a motion of dismissal. The guards who stood at the ready, obeyed and began to file out of Notre Dame, Phoebus bringing up the rear. He flashed them a triumphant smile before turning and disappearing down the stone steps. Esmeralda's white goat suddenly darted ahead and began butting his horned head against several of the guards backsides, bleating in triumph as he did so. Sophia couldn't help but giggle at the sight, it was way too funny.

"You have chosen a magnificent prison, but it is a prison nonetheless." The judge declared before turning his back and marching after his soldiers.

As the tail of Frollo's robe vanished behind the closing door, both Esmeralda and the young redhead bust into full laughter. The white goat came up to the two girls and circled them, leaping and jumping about as if sharing in their merriment. But, of course, it was not to last. The full impact of their predicament finally hit Sophia and hit her hard. They could not leave! They were trapped!

Apparently, she was not the only one to come to this conclusion. Almost simultaneously, Esmeralda's face broke out first in realization, then in sheer horror. Their eyes met for a moment, sky blue gazing up into bright emerald, before the young gypsy bolted for the door only to be met with a pair of guards. Out of rage and frustration, she slammed the door in their faces with a loud bang before sliding down the aged surface and burying her head in her knees. She felt her heart break at the sight. Gypsies were free spirited. They weren't meant to be caged or tied down in one place.

Sophia strode over and knelt in front of her, placing a comforting hand on one of her tanned hands. "Don't worry Esmeralda. Frollo's wrong if he thinks this will trap us. We'll get out of this, you'll see."

The ebony haired woman raised her head and smiled a sad sort of smile; it was still a bad predicament to be in.

"You may wish to exercise caution," The archdeacon advised, turning away from them and going over to a small alcove were he began relighting candles. "The two of you created quite a stir."

Esmeralda frown at his words, taking them as rather offensive. "You saw what he did out there!Allowing the crowd to humiliate and torture that poor creature! It's not his fault he is the way he is!"

"Calm yourself child," The deacon soothed, his tone still smooth and gentle. "I meant no offense. However, it would be unwise to arose Judge Frollo's anger further."

Esmeralda just shook her head, "I just thought, if someone tried to stop it-"

She trailed off, uncertain whether or not to finish her train of thought. Sophia sighed, she understood perfectly of how the gypsy was feeling. She herself was feeling the exact same thing.

"That maybe, it would make a difference?" Offered the young redhead, who crossed her arms and leaned backwards against a pillar. "Yeah, that's what I thought too, but it only seemed to make matters worse."

The Archdeacon shot her a strange look before turning back to his candles. "You can't right all the wrongs of the world, Sophia. Try as you might, you will only succeed in exhausting yourself and those around you. It takes more than just one person to change a concept."

"Well," Esmeralda said bitterly as she lifted herself off the cold tile floor. "No one out there is going to help us, that's for sure." She jabbed a thumb at the aged door behind her and shook her head in both anger and hopelessness. "No one cares about outcasts, or helps them for that matter."

"Then perhaps," Hinted the archdeacon as he finished the candles. "You will find that aid, in here."

He reached over and clapped a comforting hand on each girl's shoulder before heading down an aisle and into a another chamber. Sophia shook her head. She just didn't understand his underlying meanings at all. As much faith as she had in the Lord, she wasn't sure if that was what he meant. Esmeralda gave her a questioning look, silently asking her for an answer but she just shrugged her shoulders. She didn't have a clue either.

The gypsy sighed in response, "Well, how does that help us get out of here? All the entrances are blocked."

Again Sophia didn't have an answer for her new friend, "I-"

CLANG!

Both women whirled about towards the source of the clatter. They found Quasi standing over a life size candlestick holder, laying on its side, looking quite distraught at making such a commotion.

"Oh!" He buried his face in his hands as parishioners shouted scoldings and jibes at him.

"Quasi," It escaped Sophia as a whisper, who was surprised to see that her friend had followed them from his hiding spot.

Unable to take the scoldings and harsh words, Quasimodo turned on his heel and fled clumsily up the spiral, stone staircase to the upper levels.

"Wait!"

Esmeralda bolted after him, leaving Sophia stunned that the gypsy was actually going towards her friend. Then, upon realizing she was the one being left behind, gave chase after her. After all, she couldn't leave this strange woman alone with her friend; he was frightened enough already without having her chase him down. With Esmeralda having a head start, it made it all the more difficult for the young redhead to catch up. The gypsy had a lean figure with long legs while Sophia was slightly more solid and was quite short. By the time she reached the top of the second staircase, Esmeralda was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh dash it all!" It was all Sophia dared to say before breaking out into another run.

She pushed her legs a bit farther and prayed to the Lord Almighty that Esmeralda wouldn't try to force Quasi to come out of hiding when she reached the bell tower. He never did like coming out when someone new stumbled into the tower. Some people taunted him, some tried to win him over with sweets, but their objection was all the same: catch a glimpse of the Hunchback. To be able to say to someone that you looked the monster in the eyes and lived to tell about it was a great achievement. A dare that most boys at the ripe age of twelve would undertake. It was some rite to being a man. What foolishness!

As Sophia crossed the bridge she was beginning to feel the affects that the run placed on her. Her breath was coming in fast and sharp, her lungs screamed for air, and her heart was pounding so fast she was sure it was going to give out on her. Hadn't she ran enough today in the first place? Apparently, not enough by the way today was turning out. As she finally reached the tower door, she grasped the handle and threw it open, letting it go wide and bash against the tower wall. She wasn't in the mood to be politely invited in.

"Q-Quasi!" She gasped, stumbling over her feet and nearly falling over.

She reached out a hand to take hold of anything that would help stabilize her and what she caught, greatly surprised her. It was the top of Hugo the Gargoyle's head who, she could have sworn, was supposed to be up several platforms, next to Quasi's worktable. In fact, Laverne and Victor were standing right behind him! They certainly had the habit of being misplaced about the tower, that was for sure.

She shook her head, "I . . (gasp) . . don't suppose . . (gasp) . . you know where . . (wheeze) . . she went?"

She ducked her head in order to force air into her lungs, taking a few minutes to calm her heart and get in a good breath. When she looked up however, something completely unnerved her to the point of thinking she had officially lost her mind. Laverne's arm, which Sophia could have sworn had been by the gargoyle's side, was now pointing in the direction of the wooden staircase that lead up to Quasi's living quarters.

"Um," She paused, not quite sure what to make of this new development. "Thanks. I guess?"

She reached over and lightly patted the female gargoyle on the head before ascending the wooden staircase in pursuit of Esmeralda and her dearest friend. It was when she finished climbing up the single poled ladder that she heard them. Voices coming from high above her. She looked up just in time to see Quasi helping Esmeralda up the next set of ladders that led to the heavy iron bells that he so dearly loved. He didn't show the to just anyone, but then again, he'd never really had anyone to show them to. Sophia felt her heart tighten as if it were in a vice.

"These," Quasi had swung himself up onto a beam and began excitedly pointing out a series of bells that she knew to be the Triplets. "Are Jean-Marie, Ann-Marie, and Louise-Marie!"

He swung from beam to beam, brimming with excitement and a joy Sophia had never seen before. He looked like he was showing off! This new side of him startled her! He was never this hyperactive when she was around him. In fact, she had never seen him hyperactive at all! She stood there below them, gazing up at how Esmeralda moved around and explored his world with awe and fascination. A world that only Sophia had known. Her heart plummeted again. She wanted to climb up there and stand with him and let Esmeralda know that she was here first! She was the one who knew him best! She was the one who held him when things got too hard! She was the one . . .

'What is WRONG with me?!' The young redhead screamed inwardly at herself for thinking such selfish and self-centered thoughts.

This was no way to be acting! Quasimodo was not her's! He didn't belong to her! He was a human being! Why was she feeling such jealousy? Why was she feeling so hurt that Esmeralda was seeing his world. His life! She should be happy! He was making a new friend! He was being sociable! He was coming out of his shell and allowing himself joy! So why?! Why was she so angry at the gypsy?!

"And what's this one?"

Esmeralda's voice drifted downward to where Sophia now sat huddled under one of the support beams. She almost didn't dare to look up. She didn't want to see the way his face lit up around the ebony haired woman. She didn't want to see the new light that had entered his eyes when Esmeralda looked at him. She just didn't want to watch they way they acted towards each other anymore! Her heart felt like it was being torn in two!

"It's so small!" Esmeralda's voice came again, but this time it was different. Something had changed in her tone; something more than awe. "Or, smaller. It's . . . beautiful."

Sophia unfolded herself enough to peer up between a set of beams and see that Quasi and Esmeralda were gathered around . . .

"Little Sophia."

Quasi's musical tone had lost all its hyperactivity and became the calm, soothing, bellish tone that he always used when she was in the room. When he was talking to her. Sophia watched in astonishment as he gingerly reached out and caressed the old bell with such care, such gentleness; almost as if he feared it would break under his touch. There was something in his eyes, something in the way he looked upon the eldest bell that Sophia couldn't place. It was another look she hadn't seen before and yet, this one was so much different than the looks he gave Esmeralda.

"Her name is Little Sophia. This," he paused for a moment, as if soaking in something that was go great it just seemed to take over him. "This is her bell."

Okay, so was it as bad as I thought it was or worse? There are still some things I don't really like about it but I think its doable. Now, you're not gonna see much POV of Esme, Frollo, or Phoebus if any at all. Why you may ask? Because this tale is told through the eyes of Quasi and Sophia. That's the way I've intended for this story to play out so some scenes in the movie arn't gonna be here.

Like Frollo searching for Esme or Esme hiding in the court of miracles (though that isn't really shown but whatever). The scene with the Millar and his family will be there because . . . well I can't tell you everything! I'm still bouncing around the idea of having Frollo sing Hellfire. I really want to do it but I still want to stay with Quasi and Sophia because that's where the main focus is. Okay, I've been ranting too long!

Good Night everyone! As always, let me know what you think!