Disclaimer: I do not own Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame nor do I own the Disney version.
Phoebus's house was a regular treasure trove. Esmeralda, as the impending mistress of the house, was given access to the rooms that, at one time, were the rooms of Phoebus's mother, who was dead, and his sister, who now lived in Germany. These ladies that were not exactly noblewomen, yet weren't paupers either. Esmeralda normally visited the house alone, but that morning Agnes came with her. She and Esmeralda rifled through dresser drawers and they both helped themselves to ribbons and combs. They opened up wardrobe and inspected dresses of good quality. The two gypsy girls, deprived of such fine clothes, instantly wore the gowns, but they soon realized just how uncomfortable silk and velvet were. And they both buckled over in laughter when they caught sight of themselves in the mirror. How unfitting! And to think that two dancers of the streets, standing there barefooted with gold hoops dangling from their ears and cheap trinkets jangling on their wrists, were masquerading as proper ladies! They swapped these garments for their gypsy garb by the end of the hour, preferring comfortable rags to binding finery.
They next wandered into the kitchen were they began rummaging through the cupboards like a pair of mice while the captain was still asleep upstairs. Agnes inspected a chunk of cheese, sniffed it once, and, deciding it was still suitable for eating, tossed it in a basket along with other edibles. Esmeralda continued to search through the through the pantry.
"Quasi's been talking about you a lot lately," Esmeralda said unexpectedly. "Apparently you've been sneaking into the belfry. I wonder what Clopin would say if he knew you were sneaking off each night?"
Agnes scowled. Had she possessed a voice, she would have retorted "So what if I have?" followed by "I wonder what Clopin would say if he knew you were visiting the captain each morning?"
Esmeralda, as independent and self-assured as she was, preferred that her foster father remain unaware her secret rendezvous with Phoebus. She would wait for early morning rays of light and it was then that she would visit the home of the sun god. Clopin, who always slept late, was never alarmed to find Esmeralda missing by the time he awoke. Agnes preferred the secrecy of night. Her first visit was a spur-of-the-moment decision that soon became a nightly ritual. When the moon was high, Agnes would sneak out of the Court and slip to Notre Dame. When she looked up at the north tower against the dark sky, Agnes would see the glow of a burning lantern and know that the bell ringer was waiting for her. Agnes would then talk about her hatred for dancing, her attempts at juggling, funny stories she had heard while eavesdropping… Whatever topic she could think of. For a few blissful hours, Agnes would forget that she was a mute.
Agnes now glowered at her foster sister and knew by Esmeralda's smile that Clopin would never find out about her nighttime adventures. "He's a good friend. He risked his life to save mine and… and I can see by your expression that I never explained that Quasi's the one who saved me from being burned." Her thick brows furrowed. "I… chose not to elaborate on that part."
Agnes raised an eyebrow.
"Because," her foster sister said in explanation, "I was lucky. I was fortunate enough to have someone come and rescue me. But there was no one to rescue you…"
Agnes looked at Esmeralda and squeezed her hand in in a sincere, silent gesture of gratitude. She began to rummage though the pantry as though nothing had happened.
"Ugh. This bread is too stale," Esmeralda complained after nibbling on a corner. "But he takes care of the pigeons up there so I'll just pack it as well. Okay… Bread, fruit, dried meat, cheese… Did you get the wine, Agnes? Phoebus keeps it that cupboard. Oh, good morning!" Esmeralda smiled sweetly when the captain, wearing nothing but his nightshirt, blearily ambled into the kitchen like a sleepwalker.
"Esmeralda?" He blinked groggily and then his face became stern and vigilant. "Warn me, will you, the next time you bring your sister? I really don't like showing off my legs to the ladies."
Agnes rolled her eyes to show that she was not impressed. She grabbed the basket, jerking her head towards the front door as if to say, "We don't have time for this. Come on. Let's go."
"Whoa, you two. Do you don't mind explaining to me-"
"Just bringing some food for Quasi." Esmeralda scrutinized Phoebus. "So what do you have planned for today?"
"Nothing of importance. I was hoping to find out if those rumors are true."
"What rumors?"
"I heard that King Louis has assigned someone to take Frollo's place. Fellow's name is Jehan Moulin."
"What do you know of him?"
"That he's nothing like Frollo. That he squanders his money and participates in things old Claude would never approve of."
A vile yakking noise followed by the sound of something splattering onto the floor distracted all three of them. It did not take long to discover the source; Djali was on his side, moaning on the kitchen floor. Esmeralda knelt down and put her hand on the goat's belly. "Oh, Djali, what did you eat this time? Little glutton. I'm sure you are going to have a wonderful stomachache." She affectingly kissed the goat's forehead. "Serves you right too." Esmeralda looked up at Agnes. "Why don't you go to the cathedral without me? I've got to tend to an ailing goat."
"Wait-" Phoebus exited the kitchen for a brief second and returned holding a book. "I told Quasi I'd give him this." He handed it to Agnes. "Ovid."
Esmeralda, still doctoring the sick animal, raised her thick eyebrows. "Who?"
"Greek and Roman mythology. My father studied the myths. Instead of giving his children biblical names, he named us after pagan gods. Hence, Phoebus. I've got a younger sister named Diana and an older brother named Helios." He grinned wickedly at Esmeralda. "You know, I just might carry on the family tradition. Ours sons… Let's see, Phaethon, Ion, Zephyr… Our daughters-"
"Will be named Sapphira, after my mother. Rubia, after my aunt. And Opalina, after my grandmother." Esmeralda stood up as she said this, crossing her arms in mock decisiveness.
He and Esmeralda began to argue over possible names for their possible children. It was nothing more than good-natured banter, but still… Agnes could not help but be sickened by it. She, like Djali, might vomit on the kitchen floor. Agnes knew quite well that Phoebus and Esmeralda, once they tired of bickering, would commerce with the kissing. She hastily escaped through the door to avoid witnessing it. Agnes hurried to Notre Dame.
Author's note: Yeah… I made a reference to the sequel, which I personally, um, loathe.
Also, this is where the title "Lantern Burning Bright" comes from.