The rock flew fast across the square's air and hit Lefebvre right in the middle of his forehead. The bone of his skull cracked loudly and he fell flat on his back, instantly dead.
That was the sign.
Suddenly, the quiet multitude became a wild horde of roaring attackers. The air filled with all sorts of projectiles made from daily objects, even fruits and vegetables and eggs. Farming tools were brought out of nowhere and wielded like swords.
The soldiers were caught completely off guard, and before they could react, a furious mass of citizens were upon them, their attacks were erratic but at the same time, strangely coordinated, as if they shared a collective mind like a swarm of angry wasps.
In a matter of seconds, the previously quiet square became a symphony of screams, cries and crashes that elevated with the black smoke towards the darkening twilight sky.
But Frollo didn't have time to process what was going on around him, because he was too focused on desperately raising his legs, in a futile attempt to escape the fire for a few more seconds. His survival instinct had kicked in, despite any rational knowing that death was inevitable.
It was only when he felt a sharp blade moving in between his hands, when his frantic trance was broken.
He thought maybe the former captain of the guard had regretted his obedience towards Lefebvre and decided to set them free, but the voice cursing between their teeth sounded different from his, though it was hard to tell among the noise of the crackling wood, the hissing of the fire and the sound of his own suffocated coughing.
Suddenly, he felt his hands released. His arms fell to his front, and he had to raise his hands not to touch the flames that kept growing avidly, already scorching the skin of his legs. A few seconds later, the ropes around his chest and torso also fell loose. Frollo stumbled across the flames and immediately, someone threw a bucket of water over him. The cold water was a shocking heaven for his burnt skin, though his lungs were still having a hard time breathing in the middle of all that smoke. Before he could even regain his balance, he felt a strong pull at his arm and he fell off the platform where the two pyres stood. He hit his head with the cobblestones, and everything went black for a second, while hundreds of feet ran past him and the deafening sounds of the battle reverberated in his eardrums. Again, someone pulled from his arm, dragging him through the floor until he was under the platform, safe from being crushed by the crowd. He opened his eyes in the darkness, still wondering what the hell was going on. When he saw who was the person beside him, his confusion only increased. But there was only one question that mattered to him:
- Where is she? Is she safe? - he asked desperately.
- She is! - the figure responded, while looking anxiously towards the other end of the platform. - Can you walk? We need to leave!
Frollo tried to get up. His head was still spinning from the smoke and the hit, but he managed to stand. The burns in his legs were extremely painful, but he realized with relief that they were only superficial. No muscle damage had been done.
- I can walk. - he said, though he wasn't sure where they could possibly go.
- Then go! Towards the alley! - the other responded, already pushing his back towards the open air again.- Run!
- Esmeralda… - Frollo protested, but the man pushed him again and disappeared among the multitude.
The judge obeyed blindly, running as fast as his tired lungs and legs allowed him, expecting that at any second a soldier or an angry citizen would stop him and force him to go back to the blazing pyre. But miraculously no one intercepted him, and he managed to reach the darkness of the alley, where he leaned against the stone wall for a second to catch his breath.
It was only then that his mind assimilated what had just happened.
Clopin had saved his life.
But before he could even begin to question how was this possible, someone grabbed his arm. He turned around violently, ready to fight whoever the assailant was, until he saw his face. A face that couldn't be mistaken for any other, cause it was unique in the world.
- Quasimodo! - he said, his knees weakening with shock.
- Come with me! - the young man said, hurrying him down the alley.
Once again, Frollo obeyed blindly, more and more puzzled as the events kept unfolding right in front of his eyes. They turned a corner and entered some sort of tunnel between two buildings. There, laying in the floor, was Esmeralda's body.
- God. - Frollo gasped, immediately forgetting all about his own pain, and falling to his knees beside her.
- She's alive. - Quasimodo reassured him, at the same time that his fingers found the pulse in her neck. - She just passed out.
The man turned to look at him. Their eyes met for a second, and then Quasimodo looked away nervously.
- What is happening? - Frollo asked. - Why are you helping us? I thought you were furious.
- I am. - Quasimodo affirmed, shaking his head, and finally looking back at him. - That's why I'm doing this. You don't get to die before I've had time to forgive you.
Frollo felt a lump in his throat, and he fought the urge to get up and hug the man.
- I'm so sorry… - he said instead, with a strangled voice.
- I know you are. - Quasimodo replied, and though he sounded harsh, Frollo could feel the underlying trace of compassion in his tone.
- Is she okay? - they heard Clopin's voice, as he raced towards them. His face was contorted from the effort, and he was out of breath. - She needs to wake up now!
He kneeled beside Frollo, and without warning, he slapped Esmeralda hard.
Frollo yelled at him, but before he could scold him, Esmeralda moaned softly.
- Hey, sis, we need to get going! - Clopin told her, already pulling from her arm to lift her from the ground.
- Clopin? - she called, stunned. - Claude? - she asked then anxiously.
- Here. I'm here. Get up. - the judge responded, his whole body filled with relief seeing she was awake and responding.
- What happened? - she asked, holding on to both men to be able to stand up straight.
- There's a caravan waiting for us outside the city. We need to get to them as soon as possible. We're leaving Paris. - Clopin explained hastily.
- How? The soldiers… - Esmeralda frowned, still struggling to stand.
- They will be busy for a while… but there's no time to lose.- Clopin affirmed.
- Why is the people…? - Frollo began to ask, but Clopin threw him a killing glance.
- I said there's no time to lose! You want an explanation or you want to run? - he yelled.
- Fine, sorry. - Frollo apologized, nodding. - Where should we…?
But his question was again interrupted by the sound of hooves on the cobblestones.
- Damn it! - Clopin cursed, pushing Esmeralda towards the darkest part of the tunnel to hid her from view.
But when the massive black horse turned the corner and came into sight, they realized he had no rider on his saddle.
- Snowball! - Frollo called the beast, amazed at his perfect timing. Of all the places the creature could have chosen to flee from the square's chaos, he had ended up in their alley, as if he had somehow followed Frollo's presence there.
The horse ran towards his legitimate owner, apparently delighted to reunite with him. Frollo grabbed his reins and he pressed his forehead against the horse's muzzle. He had never been so grateful to an animal before.
- Perfect! - Clopin exclaimed. - Get on, and run towards the river. The others are waiting there! I will be right after you!
Quasimodo also nodded, covering himself again with his cape.
- I will keep watch from the tower, make sure the soldiers don't notice your absence too soon and…
- No. - Frollo intervened with a drastic tone.
They all looked at him expectantly.
- You're not going back to that tower. You're coming with us. - he stated, as if it was obvious.
Quasimodo stared at him, and then looked at Clopin, hesitant. That was not part of the plan.
- Quasi, he's right. - Esmeralda said carefully. - We can't leave you behind. If we're all leaving, you're coming too.
He looked at her, and then again at Clopin, and then at Frollo.
- But… I can't… - he said, his voice trembling with fear. - I… I can't leave Notre Dame. I'm the bell ringer! - he tried to justify himself.
- Notre Dame was here before you, and she will still be here after. - Frollo said, taking a step towards his adoptive son. - I never thought I would leave Paris either. But if I'm going to do it then it's as you said… I can't say goodbye to you before you've had time to forgive me.
Quasimodo's eyes began flooding. He raised his gaze to the cathedral that had been his home, his refuge, his sanctuary from the cruel world outside. How could he possibly leave it behind, and expose himself to the dangers of the world?
- I know I'm not your father. - Frollo said. - But you are my son. I thought I had lost you forever. But you gave me a second chance at life, and I will spend it trying to make up for what I did. - he swore, staring deeply into the hunchback's eyes. - I won't let anyone hurt you again.
- We're your family Quasi. - Esmeralda said, also taking a step towards him. - Please come with us.
Quasimodo threw Clopin an inquiring glance, still unsure what to do.
- I won't ever tell you what to do. I think you've had enough of that for a lifetime. - the gypsy man said, with a shrug. - But if you choose to join us, you'll be one of us. We won't let you down. - he assured firmly.
There it was… the freedom and belonging he had longed for his entire life. It was both terrifying and utterly exciting.
- Alright. - he said at last. - I'll come.
Frollo smiled so widely that Clopin looked at him in bewilderment, finding it hard to recognize the cold judge in that warm face. But then he snapped back to reality.
- Okay, then you come with me! We'll meet them at the caravan, you go, now! - he ordered, pointing towards the horse.
- Wait! - Frollo interrupted him again.
- What now? - Clopin asked furiously.
- First, I have to go back to the Palace of Justice.- he explained.
- WHAT? - the three voices yelled at once.
- Are you seriously thinking about your fancy stuff right now!? - Clopin inquired with disbelief.
- Claude, please, we need to go! - Esmeralda urged him. - Nothing matters that much! - she insisted, well aware of how precious some of his books were, and his medicines, and the work of a lifetime. - This is life and death!
- I know. - Frollo replied with certainty. - It's not that. I made a promise. - he said, throwing Esmeralda a meaningful look.
- Whatever it is, it will have to be broken! There's no time! - Clopin insisted, but to his dread, Esmeralda was smiling and nodding.
She had understood.
- He's right. - she announced. - You go ahead. We'll meet you there! - she said, getting surprisingly fast on Snowball's back, as the gypsy and the hunchback disappeared running towards the square. - Are you coming or what? - she asked Frollo with a mocking smile.
- With you I'd go anywhere. - he replied with a smile, finally assimilating the fact that they were alive.
- Where the hell are they? - Quasimodo asked nervously, for the third time.
Everyone had already reunited in their meeting spot. The gypsy colorful caravans were lined up, the horses ready to pull from them, everyone holding their luggage and looking anxiously at the path for any sing of the soldiers.
- I should have never let her go with him. - Clopin lamented, rubbing his hands together with anguish. - What was I thinking? Going back to the palace! - he said, frustrated. - If they get caught now it will all have been in vain! - he yelled, kicking a stone from the ground to release his tension.
- There! -Quasimodo screamed suddenly, pointing towards the far end of the path.
The distant sound of hurried hooves in the dust made Clopin's heart skip a beat. Finally! He ran towards them, narrowing his eyes trying to discern their silhouettes.
- Who's that? - he asked, stopping in his tracks.
Quasimodo walked up to him, also narrowing his eyes. There were three people on the back of the huge horse.
- I don't …. Wait! It's Pat! - he recognized.
Indeed, the young stable lad was riding in front of Esmeralda, his hands grasping Snowball's hair to prevent a fall.
His eyes were open widely, looking around him as if he still was unable to believe what was going on. Half an hour earlier he was in his bed at the Palace's stables, bawling his eyes out as horrible images of his master and his gypsy friend being pasture of the flames flooded his mind. The devastating impotence he was feeling was only matched by the overwhelming fear of what would become of him now they were gone and that scary man Lefebvre was his new master. He had only spoken to him twice, but it had been enough for him to recognize in Lefebvre's eyes a familiar darkness… the same he had witnessed in his father's eyes every time he had beaten him during the first nine years of his life. He wasn't ready to resume that way of life ever again. And just when he was wondering what he could do, he heard a voice calling him from the outside. He walked out of his small room, but there was no one there. Only the horses at the stables. Not even Djali had stayed around to keep him company. He probably had sensed somehow that his owner wouldn't be coming back, and he had fled through the crack in the wall.
Pat looked around, he shrugged, and he headed back to the door, when he heard the voice again, this time loud enough for him to recognize it.
- Master? - he whispered in the nocturnal air.
- Over here! - Frollo called him, and the lad realized he was on the other side of the wall.
- You're alive! - Pat exclaimed, involuntarily rising his tone.
- Shhh! - the judge quickly hushed him. - Come, fast!
Pat climbed clumsily through the crack, placing his feet in the few protruding rocks. When his face finally reached the space of the crack, he was able to see Frollo and Esmeralda sitting on Snowball's back.
- Are you okay? - he asked, amazed.
- We are, but we need to go. - Frollo explained, still whispering. - Come with us.
- What? Me? - Pat said, unable to believe what he was hearing.
- Yes, you! I promised you as long as I lived I would make sure you were safe. - Frollo explained confident. - Apparently, I just earned a second chance to fulfill my promise.
Pat couldn't believe his luck. He didn't have to think it twice. Without looking back, he climbed the rest of the wall, and he fell on the other side. Esmeralda gave him a warm smile and she offered him her hand to help him get on the horse.
And just like that, they had left the Palace behind and raced around the city to reunite with the gypsy caravan.
- Hurry, get down. - Clopin rushed them the moment they reached his position. - You need to hide inside. - he pointed out to his wagon. - Someone from the farms around could recognize you.
- You ride him. - Frollo said, handing Pat the reins.
- Really? - Pat asked, astonished.
- You're the only one I would trust him with. - Frollo encouraged him with a smile, as both he and Esmeralda descended the horse, which looked even bigger now that it was only Pat's skinny figure over him.
Frollo took a last look back towards the city. Though it was dark, he was able to discern Notre Dame's towers silhouettes against the night sky. He didn't know when, or if he would ever be coming back. His heart shrunk a little as he send the cathedral an inner goodbye. "I'll come back to you, my dear. Even if it's in the next life".
They entered the wagon silently, and once they were safe inside, Clopin gave the order and the caravan began moving.
- I'll let you know when it's safe to get out. - he told them, sticking his head through the door before closing it.
And then they were alone.
They looked at each other. There were no words. Too much had happened too fast, so many intense emotions, so many questions floating in the air. But none of it mattered. They were together, and they were alive.
Esmeralda threw her arms around him, making him fall on his back with a grunt. She apologized with a chuckle, though her eyes were filled with tears. Frollo kissed her forehead and pressed her against his chest. Only then, feeling her safe and sound between his arms, he allowed himself to pass out from the pain.
When Frollo woke up again, the wagon wasn't moving. He turned his head towards the window, which was covered with a garnet striped orange curtain. It was hard to tell, but the amount of sunlight was enough to determine that many hours had passed. Esmeralda wasn't there.
He tried to get up, but instantly felt two hands grabbing his ankle.
- Stay still! - a stranger's voice commanded.
He looked down and saw the silhouette of an old lady bending over his legs. Only then he noticed that the pain from the burns had decreased considerably.
- What are you doing? - Frollo asked, reticent but also grateful.
- I'm treating your wounds so they heal properly - the woman explained without looking at him. She was too focused on applying some kind of green ointment on his damaged skin.
- What is in that? - he asked again, this time with genuine curiosity.
- Plants. - the woman responded simply.
- Chamomile? - he wondered.
The woman raised her eyes at him with a frown.
- You know your plants, don't you? - she asked him, scrutinizing his face with suspicion. Men didn't usually care about those sorts of things. It had always been women who taught one another the secrets of the healing herbs.
- Well… it was mostly the smell. - Frollo said humbly, unsure what the woman would rather hear.
- What else can you smell? - the old lady asked, stretching her arm so her stained fingers were closer to his face.
- Hmm… -Frollo focused, closing his eyes. - I would say lavender… and thyme, I'm guessing to prevent infection. And… some marigold maybe, for a better cicatrization?
- That's more than a good sense of smell, judge. - the woman replied with accusation, though when Frollo opened his eyes he saw she was smiling. - Marigold barely has a scent, let alone when mixed with lavender or thyme.
- I've read a few books on the matter. - he admitted, reciprocating her smile.
- Maybe we will share some tips down the road. - she winked at him, and resumed her task. - Now please stay still, I'm almost done.
Frollo laid down his head in a pillow someone had placed under his head, and concentrated on the pleasant relief that the ointment caused on his sore skin.
A couple minutes later, as the woman finished covering his wounds, the door of the wagon opened and Esmeralda came inside.
- Good, you're awake! - she said happily. - And I see you've met Galinda!
- Apparently, we have something in common. - the old woman said, cleaning her hands in a cloth and getting up from her chair. - Make sure they stay clean! - she instructed Frollo, pointing to his legs.
The judge nodded obediently, and with another smile, the woman left them alone.
- How are you feeling? - Esmeralda asked.
- I'm good. What about you? Did you get burnt?- he asked concerned.
- Fortunately not. - she said, recalling the heat and scorching sound from the pyre with a shiver. - I can believe we're safe.
- What happened? - Frollo asked, still unsure of how and why they had managed to survive.
- Hmm… how well are you feeling? Do you think you could stand up with my help? - Esmeralda asked him, raising an eyebrow with a crooked smile.
- Let's try. - Frollo suggested, intrigued.
The ointment was really helping. He got up pretty easily, though he was still feeling a little lightheaded.
- Follow me. - Esmeralda instructed him, offering her hand to help him descend the wagon ladder.
They were in the middle of a forest. The path was nowhere to be found. They were all surrounded by tall trees and green grass, with some yellow and purple wild flowers splattered around like drops of paint.
- How long have I been out? - he asked, surprised.
- It's the afternoon. We've been traveling for hours. We decided to stop and have something to eat here, safe from prying eyes. - Esmeralda explained, as she guided him towards the rest of the gypsies, who were gathered in several small circles all over the forest ground, eating and talking lively.
They walked towards the closest circle, where Clopin was drinking from a horn.
- Hey! - the jester called when he saw them coming. - I was starting to think you were dead! - he said, moving aside to leave the judge a free space in the fallen trunk he was sitting on, so he wouldn't have to place his wounded legs on the dirt.
- Thank you. - Frollo murmured, as Esmeralda helped him down.
- You're gonna have to tell the story again, Clopin. - she said with an apologetic smile.
- Oh, it's no bother. It's a great story to tell, after all. - he replied with a proud smile and a puffed chest.
He carefully laid the horn in the ground, and he cleared his throat, readjusting his position in the trunk so he would be facing Frollo, wanting to see his reaction to what he was about to reveal.
- It all began yesterday at dawn, when Gérard Lefebvre made his soldiers spread the word that the Minister of Justice had been murdered in his sleep… by no other that the former minister, Claude Frollo himself! - he announced theatrically, pointing at Frollo.
Esmeralda threw him a warning glance, knowing that Frollo wouldn't love being reminded of his crime, as justified as it had been.
- But he hadn't done it alone, oh no! His evil accomplice, the gypsy witch Esmeralda, had helped him commit such sinful deed! - Clopin continued, caught up in his story-telling attitude.
Frollo threw a quick glance around, wondering what the rest of the gypsies in the circle would be thinking about him, as he was being described in such intense words. But they seem delighted in Clopin's tale, like they didn't mind his presence there. He looked at the jester again, who was waiting to get his attention back to proceed.
- The soldiers extended everyone in Paris an invitation to assist their execution, that same day at sunset, at the main square at Notre Dame. They were to burn at the pyre! - he said dramatically. - We couldn't believe it. Something didn't make sense. Even if Lefebvre's story was true… Why hadn't he waited for the King's permission? After all, it wasn't any common thief he intended to execute… but the mighty judge himself! - he explained with a grandiloquent gesture towards Frollo. - It wasn't just us who realized something was off. Many citizens in Paris felt the same way. And then, the strangest thing happened!
- What? - Frollo inquired, getting plunged into his story. The other gypsies laughed at his tone, for he sounded like an amazed child. Clopin was delighted.
- An old woman approached me… she said she had something important to discuss. Do you remember madame Delaine?
The name rang a bell, but it took Frollo a moment to remember.
- The widow? - he asked, recalling the woman who had thanked him for resolving her situation at court.
- Precisely. - Clopin nodded. - She seemed to think you didn't deserve such cruel, precipitated end. There had been no time for a fair trial!, she complained. She warned us that if Lefebvre was willing to skip the rules with one of the most powerful figures in Paris, what wouldn't he do to any of us commoners? She had a point. - he stated, and the others nodded in agreement. - So we summoned the citizens for a secret meeting at the catacombs. We warned them to come gradually, to not raise suspicions from the soldiers, though they were busy building the pyre platform at the square at a fast rate so it would be ready by the end of the day.
He made a pause, and picked up his drink again to quench his thirst.
Frollo was really intrigued about where his story would lead, even if he already knew the ending of it.
- The turnout to the meeting was much bigger that we had anticipated. - Clopin continued, dropping his empty horn on the ground. Frollo couldn't help wondering why they didn't seem to care about drinking from something who had just been in the same dirt as their feet and their horse's shit. If this was his life now, he would have to make a great effort to get over his taste for hygiene. But the jester's voice brought his thoughts back to the story- Apparently, many citizens agreed that ever since the Lefebvre brothers had taken control of the city, Paris had become a living hell. The rules had hardened enormously, and the punishments were not at all in proportion to the faults. Surprisingly, many of them, including madame Delaine, felt that with Judge Frollo gone, we were in for an even worse ride. They seemed to be convinced that, as cruel as Frollo had been in the past, he had changed since the events of the Tupsy Turvy earlier this year.
The silence around them became thick as a velvet robe. Frollo didn't dare to look around this time, unable to face the accusatory expressions he thought he would find on the gypsies faces, for as much as he had tried to be merciful in the past few months, he had persecuted them for years before that, executing their family members.
- The citizens had a point. - Clopin said, lowering his tone and getting serious. - But we were not convinced. And then, we heard a voice, coming from someone at the end of the crowd, who was hiding under a cape. - he said mysteriously. - It was no other than the bell ringer of Notre Dame! He had had the nerve to come to the catacombs, even if he had been previously warned of what would happen to him if he dared to show his misshapen face down there again! - he explained to the circle of gypsies, who nodded in confirmation.
Frollo felt uncomfortable hearing the way Clopin was talking about the hunchback, but he was starting to understand that the man was just in character, using a compelling story-telling language to add color to his tale. Also, he realized that Quasimodo was nowhere near them. He was sitting on another circle of people, a few trees away, and apparently wasn't listening to their story.
- Anyway – Clopin said with a loud clap, once again attempting to retrieve Frollo's attention. - The hunchback made a fair point too, and eventually it tipped the scales. - He made a dramatic pause, before getting to the juicy part of the story. - So we all decided we needed to show Lefebvre that we wouldn't stand for it. The citizens wanted to prove they were a force to be reckoned with, so it was decided that once the pyres were lit, we would take Lefebvre down and then storm his soldiers, proving that we outnumbered them and that they didn't stand a chance against us. Someone pointed out that if we killed Lefebvre, his substitute would probably be the former captain of the guard, who had already been in charge of the city during Frollo's absence last month. We didn't know much about him, but he seemed to be a decent man. So it was settled that we wouldn't try to kill the soldiers, specially him. We would just show them what we're capable of! - Clopin yelled, raising his fist in the air, and the rest of the gypsies cheered on. - It was clear that if we all united, gypsies and commoners, they wouldn't be able to punish all of us. But still… some of the Parisians had their reservations. So we offered them a deal. - he explained them, lowering his tone as if he was conspiring.
The man certainly had a talent for story-telling, Frollo thought with an inner smile, eager to know what had happened then.
- We promised that if they supported us in our rebellion and we succeeded, the remaining gypsies would leave Paris for good, and they would have their city all to themselves. This seemed to convince the reluctant ones, who still didn't like the idea of partnering with us. - he said with a shrug and a comic gesture, as if he couldn't possibly understand why anyone would have reservations about them. - So the plan was made, and the citizens left to get ready for the evening. It was only when we were finally alone again… that we began crafting our own plan. - the jester said, with a devilish smile. - We are conspiring gypsies after all, aren't we? - he claimed, and everyone laughed.
Once again Frollo looked around, slowly assimilating where he was and who were there with him. He would have never envisioned himself in that situation. But he didn't have much time to consider what it all meant, for Clopin was ready to continue his story.
- The citizens thought we would act during the executions. What they didn't know was… we intended to prevent them. We decided that while everyone else was focusing on the riot, Quasimodo and myself would climb up to the platform and take you out of the flames. Timing was crucial. If we did it too soon, someone could see us and realize what we were doing, maybe trying to stop us. But if we waited too long, well… - he said with a nervous smile, tracing a line across his neck with his finger and sticking out his tongue. - It was very important that people thought you had burned. That way, no one would come chasing after you once the riot was over.
- But they will notice. - Frollo dared to interrupt him, and he felt all eyes on him. However, he had a more urgent concern. - Maybe not right away, but once the fires go out, the soldiers will notice there are no human rests among the ashes. They will realize we escaped and send someone after us! - he looked at Esmeralda with an increasing alarm growing in his chest. - There's nowhere we can go that the King's soldiers won't find us eventually!
- If you would let me finish my story! - Clopin scolded him harshly, irritated.
Esmeralda laughed, to Frollo's surprise. Why wasn't she more worried about this?
- You seem to consistently underestimate us, your honor. - Clopin said mockingly. - That won't be a problem because there will indeed be human rests at the pyre.
- What? - Frollo asked, baffled. - Who? - his mind was racing. Lefebvre, he thought, but then he immediately discarded the idea, for surely the soldiers would notice if the minister's body was missing. It had to be someone else, someone anonymous, someone who wouldn't be missed… Oh God, what had they done? - Did you… ? - he began, unsure if he really wanted to hear the answer.
- Murder someone to put their bodies instead of yours? - Clopin finished his question, raising an eyebrow. - What kind of barbarians do you take us for? - he asked, pretending to be greatly offended. Again, the people around him laughed, but Frollo wasn't sure if he was joking at all. Clopin moved closer to him, and he lowered his tone again. - You see, your honor… the upside of being forced to live hiding in the catacombs is… you've plenty of bones to spare. - he confessed with a wink, and the circle of people bursted into applause.
Frollo's eyes widened with understanding and admiration. It was a perfect plan! If the fire burned long enough, any trace of flesh or clothing would vanish, leaving only bones as proof they were there… the same scorched bones they would be finding now.
- Everyone will think we're dead! - Esmeralda explained with a huge smile. - So no one will ever come looking for us! We just need to be careful until we're far away from Paris, where no one can recognize you. They saved us! - she said, gesturing towards the gypsies, who once the story was over, were starting to get up from the floor and gather their plates and cups, taking them back to the wagons and scattering around the forest.
Only when they moved from his view, Frollo was able to take a better look at Quasimodo. He had noticed the movement on their circle and was looking at them. The judge made an inviting gesture for him to join them, but the lad declined with a polite smile. He wasn't ready yet to be around Frollo like nothing had happened. Frollo understood and he nodded back.
- Who's that, sitting with them? - he asked Esmeralda, pointing to the girl who was in front of Quasimodo, chatting vivaciously with Pat.
- That's Dalia. - Esmeralda revealed with a meaningful look. - I think she and Pat are getting along really well, don't you? I'm going to say hello! - she decided, getting up. - You want me to introduce you?
- No, I'm good. - Frollo replied, pointing to his legs.
Esmeralda smiled and walked away in such a happily manner, she looked like she was dancing. They opened up a space in their circle, and she sat down in the grass, like it was the most natural thing.
- I have a question for you. - Frollo said, once she was gone. He turned towards Clopin, who looked back at him expectant. - Why me? I get that she's your sister… and that even if you were mad at her, you would want to save her. But why did you save me too?
- She would have murdered me if I hadn't. - Clopin said simply, with a shrug. But Frollo stared at him, knowing there was more to it. Finally, the gypsy sighed, and he confessed. - If someone had told me a few months ago you would be tied to a stake in a flaming pyre, I would have wanted to witness it first row. I had my mind made up about you a long time ago. And to this day, I still think I was pretty accurate. - he warned him, and Frollo didn't contradict him. - However… when you came to the Court of Miracles and I saw you seemed to truly care about her… It planted a seed of doubt. I didn't want to believe it but then, yesterday, Quasimodo said something that opened my eyes. - he revealed, and Frollo realized he hadn't mention what Quasimodo's point was before, during his story.
- What did he say? - he inquired, looking at the red-haired lad laughing in the distance.
- He said that whatever had happened with Lefebvre… the minister, I mean. The one you killed. That if you had wanted to save your own life, you could have. You could have pinned it all on Esmeralda, and since she is a gypsy, and a woman, you would probably have gotten away with it.
Frollo looked at him, horrified just by the mere thought of it.
- And I realized he was right. No one would question Judge Claude Frollo's word if he claimed to be innocent, or at least, manipulated by the evil gypsy witch. - he said bitterly. - So the fact that you were dying by her side could only mean you loved her for real.
- Of course I do. - Frollo said hoarsely.
- Someone able of sacrificing his life for love seemed to be someone worth saving. - Clopin concluded, staring right into his eyes. - I might have been wrong about you. At least, when it comes to you and her. If you do love her that much, then… we're on the same team. - he stated, offering Frollo his hand.
The judge looked at the gypsy leader's caramel hand, extended towards him. He couldn't believe he had lived to see this. But he took a deep breath and he realized that he was being offered a chance. A chance to leave his old self to die at the pyre, even if he hadn't. To leave the ruthless, distrustful man he had been, among the ashes and the scorched bones that everyone would think were his. And to discover a new way of being, of living, and of interacting with the world and the people in it. He smiled timidly, and he shook Clopin's hand.
- I hope you don't prove me wrong. - the jester warned him, though he was also smiling. - These people are my family. I will do anything to protect them. - he stated firmly.
Frollo's eyes wandered around the forest. Here and there, people dressed in bright colors were talking and laughing loudly. There was joyful music coming from one of the wagons, and a few children dancing to it. He had never stopped to watch the gypsies closely, being so busy as he had been worrying about their possible threat to his well structured life. Granted, as Clopin had said, he knew he hadn't been entirely wrong about them either… But maybe that was just one side of many. Looking at them now…
- What are you looking at? - Esmeralda's voice interrupted his thoughts. She had come back to the trunk where her brother and the love of her life were still seated.
- I see it now.- he admitted, and his eyes were bright when he looked at her. - The beauty.
Esmeralda's eyes filled with tears as she understood the meaning in his words, and she felt her heart was about to explode, unable to contain the immense joy and relief she was feeling.
Clopin realized the privacy of their unspoken communication, and he got up, ready to leave. But Frollo reached for his sleeve, stopping him.
- Thank you. I'll forever owe you my life. And hers. I know you thought I was a monster, so… Whatever part of you that decided to give me a second chance… instead of considering the pyre was cosmic justice… thank you.
- That's one way to look at it. - Clopin said, thoughtful. - But I'd rather think that what it's actually cosmic justice is that you will have to live the rest of your life as one of us outcasts… Who knows? Maybe you will learn something. - he leaned closer, and tapped on his shoulder. - Now… here is a riddle, to guess if you can… what makes a monster and what makes a man? - he sang, and with a wink, he disappeared jumping among the trees.
Esmeralda chuckled at the sight of her brother, and the sound of her laughter, so pure and finally free, made Frollo's soul expand. What makes a monster and what makes a man… it was probably the question he had asked himself his entire life.
But as he looked at the woman beside him, Claude Frollo sighed with satisfaction. He had finally found the answer.
.
.
.
The end.
A/N. Stay tuned for the epilogue! ;)