Madeleine's heart beat quickly in her chest and happiness flooded her body as Clopin kissed her she looked down at the beautiful ring and then back up at Clopin. She felt tears of joy coming into her eyes.
"I've never felt so happy in my entire life," she said, a smile still on her face.
"Nor I mon coeur," replied Clopin whose face held equal joy. He glanced up at the rapidly darkening sky.
"I should get you home, but tomorrow I want to take you somewhere secret."
"Then I look forward to it," Madeleine told him happily. Clopin took her hand and led her through the backstreets of Paris back to her home.
HoND
Quasimodo looked out over Paris. There was a small bridge by Notre Dame that went over a river. On it he saw two familiar figures.
It was the gypsy storyteller and The Lady as he had come to call the pretty blond woman.
The Gypsy held something out to The Lady before picking her up and spinning her around as they kissed. Quasi couldn't help but smile at the happy couple. Even as he felt a sadness that he would never know that happiness.
So many times out here
I've watched a happy pair of lovers walking in the night
They had a kind of glow around them
It almost looked like heaven's light
I knew I'd never know
That warm and loving glow
Though I might wish with all my might
No face as hideous as my face was meant for heaven's light.
He finished singing quietly to himself as he watched them walk away hand in hand. He hoped at least they would be happy.
HoND
When Madeleine entered her house she once again found Henri waiting for her. However, rather than disapproval he had a slightly smug but happy grin on his face.
"Well? How did it go?" Madeleine grinned back and held up her hand.
"I'm engaged!" she ran to Henri who pulled her into a tight hug.
"Congradulations Little Leine." They pulled apart.
"How did you know?" asked Madeleine who was pleased by her brother's reaction but also confused about his knowledge of the situation.
"Clopin came and asked me earlier if he could ask for your hand."
"Thank you for giving your permission," Madeleine told him softly.
"Your happiness is all I care about," her brother said as he smiled down at her.
HoND
Early in the evening on the following day Clopin stopped to pick up Madeleine up and grinned.
"Ready?" he asked. Madeleine nodded. She wore a dark red cloak over her purple dress to keep out the cold.
As they started off Madeleine turned to glanced at Clopin.
"So will you tell me where we are going?" Clopin flashed her a smile.
"Somewhere very special. I couldn't show you before for safety but now you are to be my wife it's only right you should know." Madeleine's eyes widened he must have been referring to the Court of Miracles. A place few people who weren't gypsies knew about.
Clopin eventually led her to an overgrown graveyard. He pushed aside the top of the monument, revealing a secret passageway leading below ground. He took her hand and helped her down the stairs. They landed in what appeared to be the sewers. There was dirty water that rose to the tops of Madeleine's feet and she was grateful she had worn boots that day.
"So this is where the Court of Miracles resides," she said looking around curiously.
"Yes, we've been successfully hiding here for decades now," Clopin told her as he took a torch off the wall and led the way forward still holding Madeleine's hand. They had been walking for several minutes when Madeleine thought she saw one of the skeletons move.
At that moment Clopin paused and called into the emtiness.
"It's alright boys she's with me." Madeleine gasped and jumped as the area was suddenly flooded with light, revealing several men dressed in skeleton costumes. One particularly large man stepped forward.
"So this is our future queen?" he asked smiling kindly at her.
"Madeleine this is Orfeus, one of my right hand men.
"I hope we didn't give you too much of a scare," the man called Orfeus said.
"Well, I can't deny you'll certainly scare your intruders," she said slightly shakily but managing a smile as her heart returned to it's regular pace.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet the woman who has captured the heart of our king," Orfeus said and several other gypsies nodded in agreement.
"Well, carry on gents," said Clopin. The men nodded and returned to their hiding places. Madeleine smiled at the clear mutual respect that was held between Clopin and his people. She knew he'd make a good king.
They continued walking till the passage opened up onto what looked like an underground city. Hundreds of tents in various colors were pitched around the open area and people walked too and fro. She had never seen so many gypsies. Cloth in various shades hung from the rock walls to make it more at home and she could see a high platform near the back wall.
"What do you think?" Clopin asked her.
"I think it's absolutely amazing!" she told him honestly.
"I'm glad you like it," he said as he began to lead her through the crowd.
People were beginning to gather near the high platform. Clopin led her up the steps so they were looking across the court. The whole time he kept his arm around Madeleine's waist. At last the crowd was gathered and he spoke.
"My dear people. For quite some time I have been told that I needed to find a bride. And I'm pleased to say that I've at last succeed in the endeavor. I'd like to introduce you all to my future wife and your future queen, Madeleine Clement!" Madeleine blushed as a great many people began cheering. Clopin raised his hand for quiet again and silence fell.
"In honor of this momentous occasion I propose we let the celebration BEGIN!" The people cheered even louder this time. Madeleine smiled. These were the people she hoped to help and soon she would become one of them.
Clopin led her back down off the platform.
"I'm glad they've accepted an outsider. I admit I was a bit worried," she whispered to Clopin who shrugged.
"You're already fairly well known by reputation at the Court due to a combination of your deeds helping our people, you and I have been seeing each other for a while, and Esmerelda's chattiness. Speaking of which...
He broke off as Esmerelda bounded up to the pair grinning from ear to ear and her goat hot on her heels,
"You two looked absolutely adorable together! Tante Gabrielle wanted me to tell you that the engagement feast is ready!"
"After you mon coeur," Clopin said in a gentelmanly manner and the two of them followed Esmerelda to where a huge feast had been laid.
The feast itself was marvelous. Madeleine was introduced to a variety of people, from the musicians Bartley and Danior to Clopin's Tante Gabrielle. She did her best to remember which name went with which face. The food itself was delicious. There were a plethora of fruits and vegetables along with some delightful lamb that melted in her mouth. She was careful not to drink to much wine.
When the dinner was finished instuments were brought out and people began dancing. Madeleine happily joined in the entertainment as a new song began.
Here in the twilight, under the moonlight
I feel your hungry eyes
Drums in the distance, echoes of madness
Around the firelight
In the heartbeat of the night
Hey, hey, hey, till the break of day
La lala lalalala lala lala lala
Hey, hey, hey, dance the whole night through
Nothing gets between
The dancer and the moon
Nothing gets between
The dancer and the moon
Follow me closely, arms wrapped around me
Life is a sweet, sweet wine
Glittering gold as stories unfold
Those secrets are lost in time
To the heartbeat of the night
Hey, hey, hey, till the break of day
La lala lalalala lala lala lala
Hey, hey, hey, dance the whole night through
Nothing gets between
The dancer and the moon
Hey, hey, hey, till the break of day
La lala lalalala lala lala lala
Hey, hey, hey, dance the whole night through
Nothing gets between
The dancer and the moon
Master of fate, how you captivate me
Filling my one desire
Two of a kind, with one state of mind
You've set my whole world on fire
In the heartbeat of the night
Hey, hey, hey, till the break of day
La lala lalalala lala lala lala
Hey, hey, hey, dance the whole night through
Nothing gets between
The dancer and the moon
Hey, hey, hey, till the break of day
La lala lalalala lala lala lala
Hey, hey, hey, dance the whole night through
Nothing gets between
The dancer and the moon
It was much livelier dancing than she was used to but she loved it nonetheless. In fact she was already growing to love the Court of Miracles and it's people.
Author's note: Phew! That was a long chapter to write. Hope you all enjoy it. Now we know where the title of the book comes from. The song quasi sings is part of Heavens Light and the end song is The Dancer and the Moon by Blackmores Night. I recommend looking up both. Please leave your thoughts in the comments. It means a lot. Until next week!