As he approached the house it occurred to Clopin that given the late hour Madeleine could very likely be asleep. However, when he walked around to the back of the house, he saw her form up in the window a gold light behind her making her appear angelic.

She sat there sewing. He was about to try and get her attention when she looked down and he saw her eyes widen. Setting aside her sewing she opened the window looking perplexed.

"Clopin!" she said softly, surprise evident in both her tone and expression. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed to talk to someone," replied Clopin in a whisper.

"Well come up," said Madeleine with a nod.

Her room was on the second floor but it it was little trouble for Clopin to climb uo and through the window. Madeleiene wore a light pink dressing gown with her blond hair was in a braid down her back.

She gestured for him to sit on the widow seat and he complied.

"What's wrong?" she asked placing her hand over his.

"You didn't hear the announcement?" asked Clopin.

"No Henri and I didn't go into town today," she replied with a shake of her head.

"My father was executed today." Clopin told her. Madeleine placed a hand over her mouth in shock. Slowly she withdrew it.

"Oh Clopin, I'm sorry." She drew him into her arms. Clopin buried his head in her shoulder and began to cry. All the feelings he had repressed since his father left to act as the distraction flooding out.

HoND

Sleep hadn't been coming easily Madeleine that night. All day she had felt a strange sense of unease that she couldn't place. So she had decided to do what she always did when her mind was troubled. Sew.

She had only just lit a candle and begun her work when she had seen Clopin standing beneath her window. Instantly, she knew something was wrong from the somber look on his face. Once he had climbed inside, she sat down, ready to comfort him.

"What's wrong?"

Clopin appeared nearly distraught.

"You didn't hear the announcement?" he asked. Madeleine shook her head. Henri had needed help with some repairs so she hadn't made her normal trip into town.

"No, Henri and I didn't go into town today."

"My father was executed today," said Clopin his voice wavering slightly. Madeleine's heart dropped to her stomach and she gasped now completely understanding the reason for Clopin's distress.

She pulled him into her arms as he began to cry. For a while she simply allowed him to sob into her shoulder, clinging to her for support. She began to hum softly as she ran her hand up and down his back in an attempt to comfort him. It seemed to work as his breathing steadied and sobs subsided.

"What happened? She asked still holding his hand.

"We were helping smuggle a family into Paris when some guards saw us. Father left to asct as a distraction and was caught . You can guess the rest." Madeleine didn't need the details to know that Frollo would have been ecstatic at capturing the King of the gypsies and probably would have taken pleasure in torturing the poor man.

"There was nothing that you could have done," she said consolingly.

Clopin nodded still looking somber.

"I know but that doesn't make me feel less guilty. I feel like I should have done something."

"Your father would not have wanted you to blame yourself in any way," she told him. He sighed.

"I'll just have to keep telling myself that. I'm sorry to impose on you like this but I had to talk to someone and I can't let any of my people see their king break down." He turned his face away shamefully

"It's not an imposition mon amour." Madeleine told him turning his face to look her in the eyes.

"I'm not ready to be King Madeleine," he murmered miserably.

"Good ruler's rarely are?" Madeleine replied quietly. "But you aren't in this alone. I'll be by your side as long as you wish me to be."

Clopin reached to stroke her hair.

"I'm afraid that might just be forever," he said softly managing a small smile. Madeleine offered him a slight smile in return.

"That's alright with me." Clopin kissed her gently before standing up.

"I should go," he said, Madeleine nodded and stood up opening the window seat and was about to climb down when he paused to look at Madeleine. "Thank you again mon coeur. If I have you then perhaps I may be able to do this after all."

Madeleine leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

"Anytime." Clopin climbed down and Madeleine stood watching him until his form had disappeared.

She felt terrible for him and knew this was a wound that would not easily heal. But she also knew she would support him through whatever was to come. Because that's what one did when they love someone. Yes, love, she hadn't said it to his face yet, now was certainly not the time, but she knew in hear heart she was truly and deeply in love with the new King of the Gypsies.

Author's note: Well, at least he's got Madeleine on his side. Thanks again to all who have commented, it means a lot. If you haven't I really encourage you to leave your thoughts. I'd love to hear your opinions. Until next week (which will hopefully be more cheerful😊)