CHAPTER 13: HEAVENLY LIGHT AND HELLISH FIRE
After a long and tiring fight through the bustling crowd of gypsies,the gang finally managed to push themselves through the back door of the tavern and make it outside. Granted it wasn't the way they came in but at least they were finally out and could continue following Esmerelda. They had ended up in a small courtyard behind the tavern where a single tree stood above them,and there was a stone wall anyone could use to get a nice view of the river seine as diamond blue moonlight gently glistened off the water.
"I'm sure glad to be out of there." sighed a tired Littlefoot as he gently discarded the tarp they were using to cover themselves before a dizzy Chomper agreed while he slightly swerved around "I've never seen a celebration that wild before. At least in such a tiny place." before he suddenly fell over out of dizziness,but Ruby was thankfully able to catch him in time. The fast runner's attention was then drawn to the tree that stood in the yard.
"Hey,I see some green leaves and green food up in that tree." pointed out the fast runner at the sight of the plentiful amount of leaves to which Ducky happily relieved while Spike started licking his lips "Gee I never thought we'd find any green food around here,yep,yep,yep!" before Littlefoot meekly stammered as he approached the towering tree "This tree looks a little tall you guys,how are we gonna get up there?"
"Why don't you try using your neck?" suggested Cera as she joined the longneck by the tree to which Littlefoot promptly stood up on his hind legs and tried out the idea,but alas the leaves were simply to high up for him to reach as he slumped back down and regretfully said "I can't reach them,they're too high up."
"Great,we finally found some green food and we can't even reach it." lamented Cera as she kicked the stump of the tree before sitting down at the base of it,with her and the rest of the gang unaware that someone was watching them from the shadows.
"Me wish Esmerelda were here. She know what to do." moaned a saddened Petrie as he flew down to the ground and hung his head before a very familiar voice suddenly called out "Littlefoot? Kids?" to which the gang perked up and turned around to see a familiar figure approaching them from the shadows.
"Esmeralda!" exclaimed Littlefoot at the sight of the gypsy alongside Djali approaching them as he and the rest of the gang happily joined her. Esmerelda immediately crouched down and gave the gang a hug before Spike licked her on the cheek and Djali licked him back. The kids were more than relieved that they managed to find Esmerelda as Petrie ecstatically cheered "Me so happy we found you!" to which the woman agreed while she pat the flyer's head "I'm glad to see you too,but what are you all doing out here?" prompting Chomper to explain with an excited grin "We came to make sure you were okay and possibly save you."
"Thanks,but I don't think I need any saving right now." thanked Esmerelda with a light chuckle before Littlefoot politely requested as he motioned his head forward the tree "Hey Esmerelda,could you maybe help us get these leaves down? We're very hungry." to which the gypsy immediately obliged with a nod "Of course."
"But how are we gonna get up there?" wondered Ruby out of curiosity only for Esmeralda to respond with a smirk. Little did the gang know that all it would take is for them to stand on top of each other and have Esmeralda hop onto the tree branches from there,because that's exactly what they did. Spike was at the very bottom while Littlefoot stood on top of him, Cera stood on top of Littlefoot, Ruby stood on top of Cera, and Esmerelda stood on top of Ruby while Chomper, Petrie and Ducky watched from below.
"Alright,eat up!" announced Esmerelda as she pulled the leaves off of the tree branches and gently threw them down for the dinosaurs to eat and they quickly started digging in. Once every leaf was plucked off the tree,Esmerelda simply hopped on down before Ruby walked up to her and politely asked "Could you also help us find some food for Chomper? He only eats bugs." to which the sharptooth nodded while a surprised Esmeralda winced "Oh,so he does."
"I only managed to find one at the dance back there." moaned a now starving Chomper as he rubbed his growling stomach before Esmerelda whispered to herself as she started searching the yard "Okay,bugs,bugs,bugs,bugs where can I find some bugs?" only for her attention to be suddenly drawn to a loose piece of stone in front of her.
"Now what if?" mumbled Esmeralda to herself as she crouched down and lifted the stone to reveal a whole mess of multicolored insects crawling around inside as she called out despite being grossed out by the sight of them "Are these okay?" to which Chomper ran over and happily nodded "Oh yes they are! Thank you Esmeralda!" before he scooped some up and shoved them into his mouth,causing Cera and Djali to gag.
After the gang had managed to finish off all their food with stuffed bellies,they joined Esmeralda over at the stone wall and stared off into the river for a few moments before she sighed "Been a long,strange first day in Paris hasn't it?" to which the gang all nodded in agreement before she continued "Here I thought I could come here to start a new life and now I'm already the most popular girl in the city,and not in a good way."
"I'm sure you'll be okay once you make it back to your people. Right?" replied Littlefoot in an attempt to cheer up Esmeralda and she couldn't help but agree although with a hint of uncertainty in her voice "I guess so." before Ducky mentioned as she crawled up on the wall "We saw you and Phoebus at the dance back there. Do you like him?"
A look of embarrassment had now fallen upon Esmerelda's face as she timidly stammered "W-what? N-no…..well…maybe…yeah…maybe not?" only for her to turn and see that the gang was smugly smiling at her which prompted her to spill out "I think I do. It-It just happened so fast and…I don't know if I should like him because he trapped us in the cathedral. But still he seems so charming and nice and handsome."
"I wonder why he's working with Frollo then." pondered Littlefoot out of confusion and curiosity as Cera added equally as perplexed "It makes me wonder if he even likes him." before Petrie timidly replied "Me want to know if Phoebus be mean. Why he be mean at festival and then be nice to Esmeralda." only for Ducky to kindly suggest "Don't be so nervous about it Petrie. I think I know what he is."
Ducky:
Everybody has a lot of good inside them and everybody has a little bad.
Everyone is going to make you happy sometimes and everyone is going to make you sad.
They will trip on your tail or tromp on your toes or knock you in a puddle.
It is not that they mean to be mean no,no.
They are only in a bit of a muddle.
Petrie:
Yeah,everybody want to do the right thing,only sometimes they do it all wrong.
When they think you think they really weak and little,they act like they awful big and strong.
They stomp all around and talk real loud but it's just pretendly.
They're sticking their beaks all up in the air.
Ducky:
When they might just want to be friendly.
Gang:
No one's only black or white.
Ruby:
We're pink.
Cera:
And yellow.
Petrie:
And green.
Littlefoot:
Sometimes we're wrong.
Cera and Ruby:
Sometimes we're right.
Littlefoot and Chomper:
But mostly we're somewhere in between.
Cera:
Everybody's got a little dark side to em.
Ducky:
Everyone has got a little light.
Petrie:
Someone that you care about can hurt your feelings.
Littlefoot:
And then he can make it alright.
Cera:
Maybe he's grumpy.
Maybe he'll shout.
Littlefoot:
Maybe he'll fill your head full of doubt.
Ducky:
But if you turn him inside out there is good inside.
Petrie:
Yeah maybe Phoebus could be good inside.
Ducky:
Everybody has-
Ducky and Petrie:
Good inside.
Spike:
*Vocalizes.*
Gang:
Good inside.
"Yeah I guess maybe he does." Esmerwlda couldn't help but admit before she looked up at the moon and continued "Perhaps the whole world does too. What's your idea of a perfect world?"
"One where there's lots of food." answered Cera before Petrie added "Where everyone nice." to which Ruby smiled "Where everyone's together."
"Where all our dreams can come true." giggled Ducky before Chomper suggested "Where no one's ever sad." to which Littlefoot lastly answered "Where everyone's happy." prompting Esmerelda to nod as she turned to face the gang "Exactly,the kind of world I wish and know they'll be one day is one where there's that…and so much more." Esmerwlda then went back to looking at the full moon.
Esmeralda:
When the world outside comes whirling like a windstorm.
And it seems my fondest dreams have faded all from view.
This is where you'll find me in my magic palace.
Turning every storm cloud a lovely sky of blue.
In my kingdom here with no one but me.
I can wish the world the way it should be.
Suddenly there's kindness,poetry and art in my kingdom of the heart.
Looking in his eyes there,I become the princess.
Floating on the ballroom floor in petticoats of lace.
People bowing gently,caring for each other.
Every man,his brother,every moment filled with grace.
In my perfect place where songs will inspire.
Every family blessed with food on the fire.
Every prince and pauper gets to play his part in my kingdom of the heart.
And while I am wishing how sweet it would be.
With a someone to share it all with me!
Esmerelda then imagined herself and Phoebus dancing through an ocean of puffy white and pink clouds.
Make him kind and clever,sensitive and smart.
One who'll live forever in my kingdom of the heart.
The gang could only smile in response to Esmerelda's beautiful words as a tear slowly built up in Littlefoot and Petrie's eyes before Esmerelda offered "Hey listen,why don't you all come back with me. To the court of miracles,you'll all be safe there until you can get back home. Only gypsies know where it is." only for the gang to remind silent in awe of such an offer. They stayed relatively silent for a few moments before Chomper regretfully answered "Well the offer sounds nice but….Quasimodo's waiting for us to come back. I think he'd be very worried if we didn't let him know we're at least okay."
"Besides,I'm getting very sleepy." agreed Ducky as an exhausted yawn managed to escape her and Spike's mouths to which Esmeralda politely compromised "Alright,well you all just head back to the cathedral and get some sleep. Tell Quasimodo I'm okay and that I'll be there in the morning to get you."
"Sure thing Esmeralda." obliged Cera with a nod to which Littlefoot added "Stay safe out there,okay?" prompting Esmerelda to reassure "Doing a pretty good job of it already." before the gang smiled and ultimately proceeded to make their way back to the cathedral for a good night's sleep,leaving Esmeralda once again by herself as she went back to staring at the river seine. Thoughts about Phoebus started entering her mind and they weren't exactly the best ones to have,she was accepting the fact that she was starting to fall in love with him but she knew that it was an impossible relationship to make work. Afterall he was a soldier and she was a gypsy,and it also seemed that the same sentiment was falling upon Phoebus as well. He entered his living chambers and opened the door in his bedroom that led to the balcony that overlooked the city. He sighed and slumped down on the stone railing before looking up at the moon.
Phoebus:
Once there was a light here,now it's gone forever.
Esmeralda:
Gone forever.
Phoebus:
How blind was I to say goodbye to one so warm and pure?
Esmerelda:
Everything I lived for.
Phoebus:
She was all I lived for.
Esmeralda:
Where can he be?
Phoebus:
If only I had told her.
Esmerelda:
What's left for me?
Phoebus:
If only I could hold her in these lonely arms once more.
Esmeralda:
I would gladly give my life
Phoebus Overlapping Esmeralda:
(I would give my life)
Both:
Meet death without fear.
If for just one moment.
Esmeralda:
He could be here.
Phoebus:
She could be here.
Esmeralda:
Lying there in pieces.
Both:
Falling all apart is my kingdom of the heart.
Oh tell me dear God where on Earth can I go?
Where the face of my true love won't follow.
All the stars above have lost all their shine.
Merry music nevermore to be mine.
Esmeralda:
Where am I to roam now?
Phoebus:
How am I to start?
Both:
No more going home now to my kingdom of the heart.
Meanwhile back at the cathedral,Quasimodo was heading back into the belltower for the night after his encounter with Phoebus. He struck him as a particularly odd fellow,he was a soldier yet he seemed generally concerned and compassionate towards Esmeralda and the gang. But there was little time for him to think about it since the gargoyles slid right up to him and happily cheered for him.
"You ejected that tin-played buffoon with great panache!" complimented Victor before Hugo angrily ranted as they followed Quasimodo into the tower "The nerve of him,snoopin' around here tryin' to steal your girl." only for the hunchback to question in confusion "My girl?"
"Esmeralda. Dark hair,works with a goat,remember?" Laverne politely attempted to jog Quasimodo's memory before Hugo giddily exclaimed "Boy I do,way to go lover boy!"
"Lover boy? Oh no,no,no,no."
"Oh don't be so modest." Laverne playfully retorted only for Quasimodo to kindly insist as the gargoyles followed him up the stairs "Look,I appreciate what you're all trying to do,but let's not fool ourselves. Ugliest face in all Paris remember?" before the voice of Littlefoot called out as he and the gang entered the belltower "Quasi! We're back!"
"Oh,I forgot y'all were here." chuckled Hugo when he remembered that the dinosaurs were still in Paris before Quasi politely asked as the gang ran up the stairs "I'm glad you made it back safely,is Esmerelda alright?" to which Cera proudly answered "Oh she's more than alright. We ran into her at a dance and no soldier's ever gonna spot her."
"That's a relief." sighed a relieved Quasimodo as he looked out to the city streets before Littlefoot calmly stated "Hey Quasi,Esmerelda's wanting us to go with her to the court of miracles." followed by Ducky enthusiastically adding in agreement "Uh huh,uh huh,uh huh. She said we'll be safe there and that only gypsies know where it is." to which Petrie happily boasted while he flew up to Quasimodo's head "They'll be no mean soldiers that find us there!"
Quasimodo could only remain silent as their words started further sinking into him,deep down he knew that they'd be safer with Esmeralda than with him but he didn't wanna have to say goodbye to his new friends so quickly. But ultimately he knew he had to do right by the kids and replied with a shaky voice as a tear that they couldn't see built up in his eye "T-that's good. She's p-probably right." to which Chomper kindly continued "She said she'll be here tomorrow to get us,maybe you could come with us."
"Or better yet make some more moves!" laughed Hugo with a devilish grin before Victor added equally as enthusiastic "It seems like the perfect scenario in which a relationship could blossom." only for Quasimodo to politely refuse "Nah,I don't think I'm her type."
Quasimodo:
So many times out there 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 ever meant for heaven's light.
Laverne then handed Quasimodo a slab of wood and a knife as he began carving something out of it,while the gang smiled and sat down to watch him do it.
But suddenly an angel has smiled at me and kissed my cheek without a trace of fright.
I dare to dream that she might even care for me and as I ring these bells tonight.
My cold,dark tower seems so bright.
I swear it must be heaven's light.
Quasimodo placed down the wood carving next to his to reveal that it was none other than Esmerelda. Sleep had now taken over the gang and they peacefully slept on eachother like a dogpile while Quasimodo started ringing the nighttime bells. Meanwhile down in the chapel,the archdeacon was swinging the incense filled thurible while he and the priests walked through the chapel and sang the Confitero.
Archdeacon and Priests:
Confiteor Deo Omnipotenti.
Beatae Mariae semper Virgini.
Beato Michaeli archangelo.
Sanctis apostolis omnibus sanctis.
Meanwhile at the palace of justice,Frollo stood in his chambers and looked out the window where he stared at the cathedral,all while a raging fireplace burned in the room.
Frollo:
Beata Maria,you know I am a righteous man.
Of my virtue I am justly proud.
(Et tibi Pater.)
Beata Maria,you know I'm so much purer than the common,vulgar,weak,licentious crowd.
(Quia peccavi nimis.)
Then tell me Maria,why I see her dancing there?
Why her smoldering eyes still scorch my soul?
(Cogitatione.)
I feel her,I see her,the sun caught in her raven hair is blazing in me out of all control.
(Verbo et opere.)
Like fire.
Hellfire.
This fire in my skin.
This burning desire is turning me to sin.
Suddenly thousands of hooded figures in blood red cloaks appeared.
It's not my fault.
(Mea culpa.)
I'm not to blame.
(Mea culpa.)
It is the gypsy girl,the witch who sent this flame.
(Mea maxima culpa.)
It's not my fault.
(Mea culpa.)
If in God's plan.
(Mea culpa.)
He made the devil so much stronger than a man!
(Mea maxima culpa.)
Protect me Maria,don't let the siren cast her spell.
Don't let her fire sear my flesh and bone.
Destroy Esmeralda and let her taste the fires of Hell!
Or else let her be mine and mine alone!
Suddenly a knock came at the door and Frollo sharply turned around to see a single soldier standing at the door,with an oddly heavenly light lingering behind him.
"Minister Frollo,the gypsy has escaped."
"What?"
"She's nowhere in the cathedral,she's gone."
"But how I….nevermind,get out you idiot! I'll find here,I'll find her if I have to burn down all of Paris!"
Hellfire.
Dark fire.
Now gypsy it's your turn.
Choose me or your pyre.
Be mine or you will burn!
Frollo then tossed the sash Esmerelda had given him at the festival into the fireplace and it was quickly consumed by the fire.
(Kyrie Eleison)
God have mercy on her.
(Kyrie Eleison)
God have mercy on me.
(Kyrie Eleison)
But she will be mine or she will burn!
NEXT CHAPTER: WITCH-HUNT
Author's Note: I don't know if this was intentional but notice how in Hellfire during the movie that the guard is surrounded by an almost peaceful and comforting light while a raging fire burns behind Frollo. It's like a symbolic last chance for him to come back but he throws it away and cements his damnation.