- What on earth…? - Frollo's eyes widened in disbelief as Esmeralda entered the inn's stable, where he was getting the horses ready for the day.
- Do you like it? - Esmeralda asked, looking down at her clothes with an inquiring smile.
- What did you do? - he replied, lowering his tone. She couldn't tell if he was admiring or upset.
- I asked the innkeeper to sew it for me. - she explained, turning around so he could get a better look.
Her purple skirt had been cut in half, and then each half had been sewn to create some sort of loose pants. She moved her legs back and forth, so he could see the cloth moving with her.
- See? - she smiled excited.
- But... why…? - Frollo was bewildered.
- To get on the horse! - she exclaimed, surprise that he didn't get it. - This way I can ride normally and I won't have to roll up my skirt. You were right, it wasn't the most appropriate thing… This way my legs will be covered! - she announced with pride.
- But… it's men's clothing! - he replied, also surprised that she didn't get that. He could tell that she was expecting an enthusiastic reaction on his side, so he was doing his best to hide his dread. In fact, what he really thought was that it wasn't even suitable for any man who respected himself. The cloth was too lose, like the costumes the buffoons wore to the Tupsy Turvy.
Esmeralda's smile faded slowly.
- I thought you'd like it. Could you appreciate that I'm trying to do things your way?
- My way? You think I would be glad that now, not only you're riding like a man, but you're also dressing as one? - he asked in disbelief. He saw an angry response building in her throat so he spoke again before she could pronounce it. - At least tell me that you have another skirt for when we get to the palace.
- Of course I do. - she said, offended by his lack of trust.
- Then, it's fine. Let's just go. We're wasting time. - he settled the matter harshly.
Esmeralda bit her lower lip, fighting hard to contain the tears that were threatening to flood her eyes. She knew she was taking a bold risk with the pants move, but she genuinely thought he would see the conciliatory intention behind it. Instead, apparently it had only made him angrier. And, to be honest, she was getting sick of being the object of his anger. It was unfair… right?
She shook her head, and she climbed on Freedom's saddle. The mare neighed quietly, as if she was greeting her after the night. She gently stroked her hair, envying the simplicity in which animals interacted among themselves and even with people. She missed Djali. She was feeling so alone, in an unknown place, headed to an unknown situation, and with the only familiar person by her side acting so coldly.
She knew Frollo had a lot on his mind, and the encounter with the gypsy thieves last day hadn't helped at all. She feared any progress she had made so far in opening his mind towards her people had now been ruined again, by the reminder of his childhood trauma. And she was aware that her eccentric way of doing things was also getting on his nerves, though she wasn't sure whose fault was that.
Maybe it would all get better once they got to the King's palace, she tried to comfort herself. It was just a day away now, and then they would be surrounded by other people, in an exciting place. She just needed to get through this remaining day.
With that thought, she inhaled deeply and gave Freedom the order to follow the man.
The day was long, though the heat gave them a break through a cloudy sky and even a light rain during some parts of the way. They barely spoke to each other, except for some poor attempts of conversation that died quicker than a match burns out. Eventually they settled for the silence, and focused on just moving ahead.
However, when they arrived to the inn in which they planned to stay the night, Frollo sighed loudly with relief.
- We're good. - he announced, breaking the ice.
- Excuse me? - Esmeralda asked, startled by the sound of his voice after a whole hour of complete silence.
- See that small mount over there? - he said, pointing towards the south-west.- The King's palace is right behind it. We'll get there tomorrow afternoon, right on time.
- Oh… good. - she replied, nodding absently.
The truth is she didn't care much about the King's palace anymore. The tiredness and tension between them had resulted in apathy. But she could see that Frollo's mood was lighter once he realized that at least, the first part of his mission would be fulfilled properly. So she decided to seize the opportunity, and made an effort to sound enthusiastic when she said:
- I can't wait to see what it looks like.
- Like nothing you've seen before – the judge assured her with a subtle but promising smile.
Esmeralda felt encouraged by that and she smiled back.
- And the people there… I'm sure they will be fascinating! - she exclaimed in a dreamy tone.
And just like that, Frollo's expression darkened again.
- What? - she asked, puzzled.
- Nothing. Let's just go inside. - he replied harshly, descending his horse and handing the reins to the young stable boy that was already waiting for them.
Esmeralda's eyes widened with surprise and disbelief. What had she done now? She followed Frollo's movements and rushed to reach him as he walked steadily towards the inn's door.
- Hey, stop! - she called, grabbing his arm.
Frollo turned to look at her with inquisitive eyes.
- I'm not willing to spend another night eating in silence, wondering what the hell is going on in your mind. - she said with a warning tone. - So you better speak up, now.
Frollo frowned and he looked around. The stable boy was just within hearing distance, and probably the people inside the inn as well for the windows were slightly open.
- I don't think this is the right time or place for...
- I don't care. - Esmeralda stated, lowering her tone. - I'm not going inside unless you tell me what's wrong. - she announced, crossing her arms and throwing him a defiant glance.
Frollo snorted, visibly irritated at her attitude, but he nodded and began walking towards a small orchard that stood beside the house. Once he was sure they were alone, with enough privacy, he turned to face her again.
- What do you want me to say? - he asked, with gritted teeth.
- All of it! Everything you haven't been saying for the past few days. Why are you so mad at me?
- I told you last night, I am not mad.
- I don't believe you. - she shook her head. - If you're not mad why are you so harsh?
Frollo studied her expression, and soon realized that behind her apparent anger, she was confused and hurt. His heart softened a little.
- I am sorry if I have sounded… harsh. I was just focused on getting here.
- That may be true but it's not all of it. - Esmeralda replied, still with her arms crossed.
The judge's fists clenched, as he tried to hide his restlessness. But at this point, he knew it was just a matter of time until she found the way to make him spill it all out. She wouldn't settle for less than the whole content of his mind. So he decided to turn the tables.
- Maybe I'm just trying to figure out what you are thinking.
- Me? - she repeated, baffled. - Why?
- Well, you haven't been doing much talking either. - he stated, as his confidence grew in this new, more comfortable position. After all, he was used to being the judge and asking the questions, not the other way around.
- Because I was afraid of how you might react! See, just now, I said that about the palace and you got mad again. Can you tell me why?
Damn it, he thought, as his position shifted again.
- I'm telling you, I am not mad!
- Then what are you? - she yelled, losing her patience.
- I'm afraid! - Frollo responded, and just after the words left his mouth he realized the battle was lost. So he surrendered. - I am afraid of what will happen once we get there. I'm afraid because I don't know if they will believe our story of what they might do if they don't. And even if it all goes well, I…
- What? - she encouraged him, so relieved that he was finally opening up.
- I am afraid of what you will do. I have lived more than you. I have seen more than you. Enough to know what I want and what I don't. - he paused, looking away from her to gather the courage to say his next words. - But you haven't. What happens if you get there and you love it? What happens if you realize you want more from life? What will happen when you meet more interesting people, younger and open-minded? You've spent this past few days letting me know how rigid, and old-fashioned you find me. Maybe the bandits were somehow right. Maybe you don't love me, but the idea of the life you can have with me… and once you see something better there, you will realize that.
Esmeralda's mouth was open in bewilderment. She shook her head slowly, trying to find the words, but she failed. Finally, she threw him an indecipherable glance, and without a single word, she turned around and began walking towards the stables.
- Where are you…? - Frollo asked, terrified to hear the answer.
- I'll see you later! - Esmeralda announced simply, without turning around to look at him.
Once again Frollo found himself waiting for her in the darkness of their rented room. He didn't know where she had gone or for how long. He didn't know anything and he was exhausted of trying to figure it out. This was one of those situations in which all he could do was let it go and hope that it would turn out alright.
He sat on the bed's edge, defeated. The optimism he had felt a few days ago seemed to be completely out of reach now. How could have things shifted so fast? And they hadn't even gotten to the big issue with the King yet. He buried his face on his palms, as he prayed for some kind of release to all the tension and fear building up inside him.
Then, the door opened and Esmeralda came in.
- Good, you're awake. - she said in a neutral tone that didn't give away any of her emotions. - Did you eat?
- Yes. - Frollo responded cautiously. - You?
- Yes. - she nodded.
Then, unexpectedly, she walked right to him and hugged him. It took him by surprise, but the sudden warmth of her touch felt like heaven after so many days of physical and emotional distance. He sunk his nose in her thick black hair, and inhaled deeply, as his left hand held her neck against his face. Esmeralda took a step back.
- You once told me you'd put a rope around it. - she said, with her palm pressing his hand into the skin of her neck. - Remember?
Frollo became alert again. Why was she bringing that up now?
- Yes. - he murmured, recalling their first encounter at the cathedral.
- Well… - she said, as she dug into the folds of her clothes. - Here. - she pulled out a rough piece of rope.
The judge stared at her, completely lost, not wanting to believe what she was saying.
- Go ahead. - she urged him, placing the rope on his hands and forcing him to hold it.
- What…? - Frollo whispered, almost inaudibly.
But she looked at him silently, awaiting his next move. After a few seconds of staring contest, Frollo cleared his throat nervously.
- Esmeralda… when… when I said that, I… I wasn't thinking about hanging you, you know that right? - he asked, horrified.
- Oh, I know. - she assured him. - I know exactly what you were thinking. - she paused, to throw him a meaningful look. - And I'm saying, go ahead.
Frollo stared at her again, not sure he was actually getting what she meant. He felt as if he was walking on very thin ice here. His wildest imagination was threatening to take over, and he feared what her reaction would be if he let it run free.
But the look on Esmeralda's face was a look he had come to know very well. Her own darkness was coming to the surface, and she was daring him to meet her there, to dance with her demons. To burn in her dark fire.
And Claude Frollo loved a good fire.
He scooped her into his arms and kissed her with all the repressed passion he had been containing.
To his relief, Esmeralda responded with an equally passionate kiss, which confirmed him what her intentions were.
The blood in his veins heated up immediately, as his sharp fingers dug deep into the flesh of her lower back, pressing her against his body.
Her hands slid down his chest, searching frantically for the opening in his clothes, but then he suddenly stopped her, grabbing her wrists firmly.
- Come. - he instructed, as his eyes quickly scrutinized the room around them until they found what he was looking for. He couldn't have planned it better.
He pulled from her, still holding a firm grip on her wrists, and directed her to the right side of the bed, next to a tall wood post that acted as a beam to support the wall.
Esmeralda followed his instructions willingly as he placed her laying on the bed, with her arms above her head, and her wrists together.
- I'm curious… why did you bring this rope in your luggage? - Frollo asked, with a crooked smile, as he tied her hands together and secured them to the wood post so she would be unable to lower her arms.
- I didn't. I just stole it from the stables now. - she confessed, with a dignified tone.
- Hmm… - he grunted, throwing her a reproving glance.- A thief, right under my nose.
Esmeralda raised an eyebrow with skepticism.
- Well, excuse me, your honor, but…
- Silence. - Frollo ordered, placing his thin index finger over her lips. - It's fortunate I'm here to correct such inappropriate behavior.
Esmeralda's core heated at the same time that her pride began to reconsider her plan. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to give away all the power so willingly. However, the fact that she was surrendering herself to him in such a powerless position only filled her with a burning sensation of freedom and excitement.
Frollo stared at her from the bedside, as if he was carefully considering where to begin. He was taking his time, allowing his gaze to roam freely over her entire body, and she felt her heart racing with expectation.
- I had you for a man of action. - she tempted him, in an attempt to rush his thinking.
The judge threw her an evil grin.
- I am taking things slow tonight. - he announced in a low, calm tone.
And so he did. She was used to his fiery passion, the eagerness of his hands traveling across her skin, the strength of his arms enclosing her inside them, his avid mouth stealing the air from her lungs… But this time, he delighted himself in moving painfully slowly, well aware of the increasing tension building up inside her, for he too had a plan.
No inch of her skin was left unvisited or unattended, except precisely the most sensitive ones, which he avoided like a river circling around a rock, flowing everywhere but there. He came just close enough so she would believe he was finally obliging to her unspoken desires, only to retire immediately and leave her short of breath with frustrated anticipation.
Frollo felt secretly glad to hear her panting, feeling at last how the much missed control returned to him. He had felt powerless for days now. There was no rush.
But if she had thought the teasing was torture, when he finally made a stop between her legs she thought she was going to lose her mind.
She was usually an impatient woman, more so when passion ignited her already heated blood. So she would normally only allow him a couple minutes of foreplay before urging him to join her fully. She was not used to laying down and experiencing the nuances of the sensations he was able to produce with his surprisingly skillful lips. But this time she had no way to grab him or pull him closer, for her hands remained firmly tied to the bed post.
- Oh, come on. - she begged with a strangled voice, as his movements slowed down even more, making her painfully aware of the slightest touch in her sensitive skin.
- What is it? - Frollo asked with an innocent tone, full of mockery.
Esmeralda bit her lip, determined not to ask for anything.
- Are you regretting your decision? - he inquired.
She shook her head, though her hip involuntarily went up in a spasm to follow his mouth as he raised his face to look at her.
- Your body seems to disagree. - Frollo observed with a smug smile.
Esmeralda threw him a killing glance, and then closed her eyes shut, inhaling slowly to regain control of her movements. When Frollo realized her intention, his thumb pressed among her folds, right in the exact spot where all her nervous terminations converged. A loud moan escaped her throat immediately in response. Satisfied, the judge removed his finger right away.
- Are you having fun? - she asked, furious, her face red with heat and irritation.
- You have no idea. - Frollo's mischievous smile widened.
- I'm not! - she spat. - Please, release me now. - she ordered.
- Oh, no, no. - Frollo shook her head. - You see, you said "go ahead", and I have the feeling you knew what you were getting yourself into, my little thief. - he explained, coming closer to look her in the eye.
She opened her mouth to protest, but his proximity only made her heart beat faster and her craving grow stronger. She shut her mouth with an angry look.
- Don't worry, you don't have to say anything now. - Frollo stated with a carefree tone. - By the end of this night you will be begging. - he predicted, before eagerly resuming his fun.
And everyone in the house that night could testify that it definitely came true.