Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunchback of Notre Dame and as such I'm not making any money by writing this. This is purely for fun.

Warnings: It's not Beta'd…so there might be a few mistakes here or there. Also; this will go along with the Disney version of HoND, not the book or the other movies. Why? Simply because it's easier to go with a movie than it is with a book. Plus, I actually like the Disney movie—it's cute and I likes it. And finally: this is a story completely made on a whim. As such it won't be regularly updated. Be warned!

Dedicated to the lovely LxIsxJustice, whose story became my muse for this one. *smiles* you've inspired me! *dramatic pose* thank you! ^_^

Chapter Two: Once Upon A Time

*Two Weeks Later*

She told her parents. Of course she told her parents. They were a close family, working together like they did. They never kept secrets from each other. Of course, it was just about impossible with Marguerite in the house. Womanly instincts added with natural mother's intuition it was almost impossible to lie to the woman. She knew something had happened as soon as her daughter had returned from her errand.

Eveline took great care in telling her parents all the details of what happened to her. Jacques had an attention for detail and demanded to know all and every fact in a tale. His wife and children quickly became used to naturally giving all details without second thought. It was just easier that way, and often would take less time without questions. It was during the retelling of her adventure that she realized something—she didn't know her rescuers name! He had never given it and she hadn't asked.

Remy said it shouldn't matter and that they didn't need more gypsy risks, they had already had two searches that month. They couldn't afford anymore. Their parents instantly agreed with their son. It also wouldn't help with Marguerite's condition to have another search by the guards.

It was at that time that the Fournier sibling's parents decided to tell their children that Marguerite was once again pregnant. After two successful pregnancies and many failed Marguerite was given another chance. The family was overjoyed. It wasn't exactly common for a small family such as theirs and they welcomed the possible addition. But they all feared for Marguerite's health. She wasn't as young as she used to be nor had any of her other pregnancies come to full term. Only a handful at best and from that only two reached past the age of five.

Eveline didn't think her parents could deal with another heartache of a child of theirs dying. She was greatly worried.

But, at the time, there was no use to worry over such things so early on. There were other, more important, things to be done. Things such as the bakery errands. Eveline had always done this, from the time she could be trusted. Before her Marguerite had done them. But considering the last near call, Jacques and Marguerite decided that she couldn't go out on her own again. They wouldn't risk her safety again. They lived in dark times, after all.

Luckily their troubles were easily solved. The near-by seamstress and her daughter apprentice offered a compromise. They too were worried for Adele's safety against gypsy, guards, and thieves alike when she was sent on errands for her mother. After hearing about what had happened to Eveline they came up with a solution.

Adele and Eveline, friends for quite some time now, would run their errands together. There was more safety in numbers after all. It seemed like the perfect solution to their problem and it wasn't like the girls would protest. They hardly ever got time to spend together since joining their parents in helping run their respective stores—so they welcomed the chance to socialize with each other. Eveline missed Adele's bright and warm personality while Adele missed Eveline's quiet understanding. They welcomed the change in their routine.

Still, Marguerite was a mother and as such worried for her only daughter. The older woman decided quickly that part of the reason Eveline had attracted attention was because of her hair. It wasn't considered proper for a young lady to walk around without a bonnet. She easily solved this problem by purchasing an inexpensive and dull bonnet she forced her daughter to wear whenever she went out. Eveline never had to do this before. Her hair had always been thick, much like her father's, and a bonnet had always been too much trouble to deal with. Marguerite understood and as long as Eveline at least had a shawl to cover her head it had been okay, but since the incident, as it was becoming to be called, the woman insisted on the bonnet.

Eveline hated it with her whole entire being. It was hard to gather her long hair into the thing and would become stifling and heavy during the day. The young girl figured that it would just take time to get used to—but she still hated it.

Adele found it great fun and actually teased Eveline for it. As she pointed out only the women of high ranking ever bothered with bonnets to which she pointed out that it made them look constantly constricted. She fancied that Eveline was part of the ranks of constriction now. Eveline didn't point out that Adele often wore a bonnet over her angel light blonde hair as often as those "ladies of nobility".

So, with all problems solved, the two girls ventured out daily for errands always together. They enjoyed their time together, talking and giggling and gossiping amongst themselves. They weren't bothered, not really. They took turns completing each of their tasks, never straying far from each other. Eveline never saw the two soldiers who had approached her—but nor did she see the gypsy man who saved her. She didn't dwell on this, however, and moved on. Adele dwelled for her.

"It's awfully romantic." Adele commented, grinning happily as she clutched a roll of cloth close to her chest. "He dives in to save you from brutes! Such a hero!"

Eveline chuckled from where she was walking beside her friend, bonnet firmly in place and basket in hand. "Yes, because gypsies are normally heroes."

Adele spun in place, "They can be. Not normal knights in shining armor, granted—but possible."

"They're better suited for being bad guys, I'm told." Eveline easily countered. Pausing at a nearby fruit stand the darker haired girl inspected some apples. "Although, bad guys aren't so bad."

Her blonde friend giggled but started humming instead of answering Eveline. Adele had always been a free and happy soul, always a smile on her face. Even since they were children Adele could be seen singing and dancing around, giggling happily while Eveline followed behind, content to just watch. It took many years of Adele's influence to get Eveline to lighten up, as it were. Now the two girls often mumbled songs to each other. It wasn't as bold and daring as the dancing and singing gypsies, but the two girls entertained themselves.

As was custom Eveline joined in the humming as they moved onto the next booth, this one for cloth that Adele needed to get for her mother. After getting what she needed the two girl moved on, arm and arm, mumbling their song to each other.

"Why doesn't my hero get the girl? He doesn't save the world in my story." Adele started, her voice lower than Eveline's as she joined in towards the end. Still their voices blended together as they walked, sad looks overcoming their features.

"Sometimes life's not like a fairytale." Eveline continued, her duller eyes looking around at the people who they passed. For the most part those who knew the girls smiled and went on their way, too used to their ways. A few still stared at them though, probably wondering why two non-gypsy girls were randomly singing as they walked. And such a sad sounding song as well. "My hearts a lot more frail than—"

"-all those heroines." Adele joined in near the end just as Eveline had done before.

"Watch the story unfold as the princess strays from the path." Eveline continued, smiling slightly at Adele. "Would it be so bad to fall in love with the villain's laugh?"

Unknowing of the two girls a few pairs of eyes watched as they walked past, arm and arm to gather wears for their families. Most of these eyes were from normal Parisians, but a few were from gypsies. One such pair of eyes just happened to be as dark as night and full of curiosity as the owner recognized Eveline as she and Adele passed him, mumbling their song to each other. Their voices blended together almost perfectly, tugging at peoples heart strings as the melancholy song continued.

"I'll rewrite this story's ending." The two sang together, sending each other smiles and pausing once in a while to buy things from booths. "I'll repair the things worth mending. Fairytale's such beautiful lies—you won't pull the wool over my eyes." Trailing off the girls continued to hum to each other as they wondered, never really straying far from each other.

"How is it the bad guys always loose?" Eveline asked in her gentle voice, "The girl won't get to chose who is her hero."

"Why is it the girl who has the charms always ends up in the arms of the good guy?" Adele countered, "Take the time to think," She tapped her temple as if to prove her point, "you'll see the bad guys are much more fun."

"Where do they go once the battles have all been won?" Eveline countered her friend easily before they both slipped into tune together.

"I'll rewrite this story's ending. I'll repair the things worth mending. Fairytales such beautiful lies—you won't pull the wool over my eyes." The girls sang together. They had no clue of the attention they brought upon themselves. They were much too wrapped into each other. They also didn't notice that they were being followed, not at the moment at least.

Heedless, they continued, "What if I'd chosen a different life? Taken out pain and strife, something unnecessary. Fate as told such a hateful tale…" They trailed off brokenly, allowing Eveline to continue on with such pain and sorrow in her voice it caught the breath of the market's grocer's wife who was listening to them closely at the time. "What can you do with a princess that fails?" Eveline demanded brokenly, her eyes shadowing to look near tears.

Adele quickly tugged Eveline on, joining in once again as she dragged her friend to their final destination, the butchers. "I'll rewrite this story's ending. I'll repair the things worth mending. Fairytales such beautiful lies—you won't pull the wool over my eyes." Towards the end Eveline trailed off to allow Adele the last few words, drawing them out.

"You won't pull the wool over my eyes." Eveline continued, taking up where her friend stopped in her steady voice.

"You won't pull the wool over my eyes!" Adele continued, gesturing weakly in the direction she wanted them to go. Their shadowed follower hid in an alley way as the two girls passed and paused just out of sight as they stalled outside the butcher's shop. He stalled himself, a confused frown set on his face as the girls mournfully sang to each other.

"You won't pull the wool over," At that moment Eveline continued on her own, her voice not as steady as it had been. It sounded broken and full of tears. Adele stepped into the shop, but Eveline paused just in the doorway for some reason. Blinking she slowly turned to face out into the market place. Her dull blue eyes sought out something she knew was there but just couldn't find.

Finally her eyes met with a pair of dark black ones and Eveline smiled slightly at the familiar face. Nodding toward the puppeteer Eveline finished her song with a broken up "my eyes" that hit several different pitches before allowing the shop to swallow her up.

Much later Eveline realized that had been the first time in two weeks she had seen the gypsy who had saved her. Once she realized this she immediately regretted not going over to say thank you to him. He had saved her after all. She should have at least waved, not nodded as if they were just acquaintances passing by on the street. Although, they were in many ways. She didn't know his name and he didn't know hers, as far as she knew. But he risked capture to get the soldier's away from her. She owed him more than just a silly old nod!

Adele had been angry as soon as she had learned that Eveline had seen her rescuer. Always a romantic at heart the blonde girl insisted they wonder around in hopes of seeing him again. Unfortunately for her they didn't and eventually had to return home before Remy was sent after them, or one of Adele's brothers which would have been worse. Adele's brother's were blacksmiths, like her father, and had tendencies of throwing Adele over their shoulder to take her places they thought she needed to be. It hadn't as of yet happened to Eveline, though she had been close on many occasions, but all it took was just that once time.

"You should have said thank you." Adele sighed as the girls readied themselves to part ways for the day, until tomorrow where they would once again be sent out for daily errands.

"I know." Eveline grumbled, looking down at her hands, her guilt swimming in her gut unpleasantly.

Adele quickly saw right through Eveline and set about cheering the girl up. "Well…not much we can do about it now." She grabbed Eveline's hand and gave it a slight squeeze. "I'll see you tomorrow? I have to run a few new dresses to some clients. Want to join me?"

Instantly Eveline brightened at the thought of being out of the shop more than normal. "I'll ask Mother though I'm sure she'll allow me to go."

"Magnifique! Then I'll see you tomorrow!" Adele called, already running the short distance between the bakery and her own home.

Eveline giggled after her friend, shaking her head slightly before entering her own home. She was looking forward to the next day.

~Time Skip~

Later that night Eveline had all but forgotten seeing the puppeteer in the market place. With the regular rushes of the day that came with running a bakery plus the added responsibilities she was being trained to take over while her mother was pregnant Eveline had little time to dwell on it. Instead she pushed it to the back of her mind and focused on the happenings of now.

Yet, long after everyone had drifted off to sleep in the Fournier's household Eveline stayed up in her room. With but a few candles and a blanket to keep her warm the small brunette sat by her window with her embroidery. She wasn't that good at it, not like Adele—but it calmed her enough to allow her to relax into sleep. She did such every night. The easy rhythm of the action added with sitting close to the window to stargaze always calmed Eveline's thoughts and allowed her to just breathe. It allowed her to just…be.

It was truly a calming effect after a day of watching things get darker and darker during the day. Because, after all—she lived in dark times. Eveline must always remember this: She lived in dark times.

That night, sitting close to her open window on the second story of her family's shop, Eveline could actually almost forget that. The air was warm for summer and sweet with flower's perfume. The stars were bright and the sky was clear, the moon almost full. It was a perfect night, apparently.

Or so it seemed…

Eveline was just getting ready to finish her embroidery for the night when she heard something in the distance. At first it sounded like just a bump in the night. Eveline had heard many just like it before. All it ever turned out to be was a stray or rat turning over something in the street. Eveline was well past the age of believing in monsters that ate little girls in the middle of the night, much to Remy's disappointment. Than as the noise got louder and persisted Eveline decided it wasn't a stray.

Leaning out her window slightly Eveline scanned the moon lit alley outside, at first seeing nothing. Then, slowly, a figure started to appear in the distance. Shortly after it appeared three other figures followed it, the glint of metal on their bodies just barely seen in the dim lighting. Soldiers chasing someone, most likely a gypsy. Eveline was just about to dismiss the all too common scene and disappear back into her room when she saw the gypsy pass by a sliver of moonlight.

Even in the dim lighting Eveline immediately recognized him. For one the gypsy running had to be male, he wasn't wearing a dress. He was also of the same height as she remembered. His skin was the same tone. He wore the same hat. It didn't even matter that he wasn't wearing his colorful performing clothing—she recognized the puppeteer that had saved her.

Not even fully thinking over what she was about to do or the repercussions of it, Eveline moved further out her window and gave a whistle. Later on she realized how genius this move actually was. In seconds she realized that the gypsy probably wouldn't answer her shout (which would have been heard by the guards as well and thus was pointless) nor would he have heard her whisper—but a whistle was different. To signal to each other gypsies whistled, any commoner could understand that even if it seemed to have completely escaped the soldiers. By whistling Eveline immediately got his attention and with a hastily gestured hand she moved inside her window. Her message was clear.

Stepping aside seconds before she heard the small tapping noises making its way to her window Eveline prepared herself. It was as if she had planned it perfectly. As soon as the puppeteer disappeared inside her window she casually went to it to close it, then slowly closed the drapes so as not to raise suspicions. It would be as if she had just been getting ready for bed. The guards ran past her window, none-the-wiser.

It was only then, with the gypsy panting safely on the other side of her window, that Eveline's actions fully hit her. She had just saved him, much like he had saved her. This was a horrible thing to do—but also a wonderful thing. On one hand he could now rape her; but then again if he had wanted to do that in the first place he already had a chance. He could kill her; but again he had had a chance to do so before and hadn't. He could rob her that was still an option. Not that there was much in her room he could find much value in—but the shop below was another matter. If he was careful of the large windows in the main shop then he could easily do it. Yet, somehow, Eveline didn't think he would do that.

"Are you alright?" Eveline kept her voice low and easy so as not to alert her sleeping family, but also to show him he was in no danger.

Catching his breath the puppeteer nodded, "Merci beaucoup, ma belle dame."

Immediately at hearing the compliment Eveline felt her cheeks warm. She hardly thought herself "beautiful" or even a "lady"-he was probably just too grateful for her help to realize the ridiculousness of his praise. Dismissing it with as much grace as she could, Eveline led the gypsy to sit down on a chair away from the window. It wouldn't do to have someone see a man's figure in her window.

"Of course." Eveline smiled up at him from where she knelt before him, "Think nothing of this. I owe you much, monsieur gypsy, for saving me before."

"Then consider us even." He gave her a bright grin, his dark eyes sparkling with something that Eveline couldn't quite name. "I saved you from guards and now you save me."

Still the small brunette shook her head, "Non, not quite yet, monsieur gypsy." Giving him a smile of her own, the baker's daughter than bustled about her own room. "You can stay here for a while, if you wish. Until dawn—or until they give up hope of finding you. It is your choice."

"Merci."

End Chapter

A/N: So here's the next chapter…and I'm not exactly happy with it. I wanted something to happen here and for some strange reason it just wouldn't come out. I'll add the extra warning that I may be editing this in the near future.

And to explain the song-I love it, it fits the story, and the Disney movie was a musical. I thought I better add at least one song in there to make it match. And yes, it is an actual song by a band called S.H.E.

Disclaimer: The song sung in this chapter is the property of S.H.E. and is called Once Upon A Time. If you would like to hear the song please say so in a review and I'll send you in the right direction.

I think that's about it…awesome.

Ninja