Heeeelllllooooo! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. It's been crazy with school...and Christmas. So, here is chapter 4! Enjoy!

Oh! And quick question for the day....if you can answer it!!!

What was the original name of Esmeralda's "husband"?

Yes, it is an easy question, I just get bored....

It had been a week and a half since Marianne's encounter with the guard. Her head was now almost fully healed and she was back on the streets, earning money like everyday. With a flute in hand, she made her way over to Clopin's cart, while he was preparing for the Feast of Fools.

Clopin was talking to a man with a long, blonde beard when Marianne arrived at his cart. The man was wearing a long robe that was a dull black color and he handed Clopin a sack of gold coins. Marianne watched as the two men made an exchange and the man was off with a bag of things.

"Finally sell that puppet, brother?" She asked as he pocketed the money. He looked up at her and smiled.

"Sell me? Sell me? I am the star of the show! I am Clopin's favorite puppet! He would not sell me for anything!" the puppet said as he popped up.

"Hush, silly boy," he thwacked the piece of cloth on the head, "you know dear Mari is only joking. Or is she…?" The puppet squeaked and Clopin put him away.

"So…how are preparations going? Everything topsy-turvy and out of order?"

"Just about. I just have to get little Joni to--Mari, what are you wearing?" He hopped over the ledge of his cart and eyed her clothing.

"Oh! Do you like it? I made the skirt myself, and the shoes were Esmeralda's old ones. She let me have them. Isn't it wonderful?"

Clopin looked at his little sister wearing a long, red skirt that had white stripes going down the middle and hugged her legs rather closely. She had on a corset, snug as well, with a black, long-sleeved shirt that peaked out over the corset. Her eyes had on a thin layer of mascara and liner while her lips were slightly covered in pink, while her long, light hair was perfectly straight and landed at her waist. He did notice her earring that was large and gold that neatly hung by her cheek, while her other ear had smaller golden studs in it. Her bangles were purple and blue with sliver lining them and she had on similar ankle bracelets.

She did look beautiful. Very beautiful. Oh, yes, he'd have to keep an eye on this girl from now on…

"You look nice. But, I don't think appropriate considering you are around all of these men," he teased, but she just rolled her eyes.

"Well, considering no men will really get to see me today, there is not problem."

"Point taken," he said dryly, "alright, instrument of the day?"

Marianne pulled a flute out of her sleeve, smiling. "I can easily play this while dancing, you know."

"And when will you be dancing?"

"The same time you will be prancing around Paris like the Village Idiot."

"Cheeky girl. I do suppose you will be wonderful, however, many people would be disappointed if the "Idiot" crushed their hopes by not stealing the spotlight." He flashed a pose, making Marianne laugh.

"Well, I suppose now is the best time to tell you…" Marianne played with the reed of her flute while looking at Clopin warily.

"Tell me what?"

"That Natasha rolled her ankle practicing back flips and she said I could dance in her place." She said this quickly, slightly blushing.

"Ah, you mean to the left of the stage?"

"Yes."

"Where the food and drink are being served?"

"Yes."

"Where rum-filled, drunken men will be falling over you?"

"I see where you're going with this you know," she snapped.

"I'm only curious."

"Mhmm. I'm sure you are," she looked at him with raised eyebrows and he only smiled.

"Just don't trip," Marianne narrowed her eyes. "Well, I best be off, the Festival starts soon and I need to prepare!" With that, he disappeared in puff of smoke.

"I hate it when he does that."

Marianne walked through the crowds as the music began to play. She did simple folk dances, receiving many coins and applause in return. It was only when the crowd began to cheer Marianne stopped dancing and pushed her way to the front.

-

Come one!

Come all!

Leave your loops and milking stools

Coop the hens and pen the mules

Come one!

Come all!

Close the churches and the schools

It's the day for breaking rules!

Come and join the feast of…

Then she saw her brother pop into view. "FOOLS!" He began singing the festival's song and danced along to the tune.

Once a year we throw a party here in town

Once a year we turn all Paris upside down

Ev'ry man's a king and ev'ry king's a clown

Once again it's Topsy Turvy Day

It's the day the devil in us gets released

It's the day we mock the prig and shock the priest

Ev'rything is topsy turvy at the Feast of Fools!

Topsy turvy!

Everything is upsy daysy

Topsy turvy!

Everyone is acting crazy

Dross is gold and and weeds are a bouquetThat's the way on topsy turvy day

Topsy turvy!

Beat the drums and blow the trumpets

Topsy turvy!

Join the bums and thieves and strumpetsStreaming in from Chartres to CalaisScurvy knaves are extra scurvyOn the sixth of januaryAll because it's topsy turvy day!

Marianne quickly grabbed her flute and began dancing again. She watched as the crowd died down a bit as a large carriage pulled into view. Three guards and the Captain surrounded it, all on horses. Judge Claude Frollo stepped out of the carriage and walked onto the front of the stage, sitting on a large, brightly colored chair.

"Why does he even bother coming to the Festival? It looks if he's about ready to gag with disgust," a voice behind Marianne said. She turned to see a tall, blonde haired boy talking with an equally tall red haired boy.

"I agree. He is such an unpleasant man…why does he even bother?" The blonde boy shrugged. His head whipped around to face Marianne, who was caught starring, her flute inches away from her mouth. The boy smiled. "Bravo," and threw a couple of coins towards her.

Marianne stared for a few more seconds before blinking and turning away. He was an attractive boy…

See the finest girl in France

Make an entrance to entrance

Dance La Esmeralda…DANCE!

Marianne saw Esmeralda up on the stage, dancing beautifully. She actually went up to Frollo and sat on his lap. His lap! She just toyed with most dangerous man in Paris. She noticed that it wasn't exactly a smart move. When Esmeralda finished her dance, she bowed, Clopin next to her.

Here it is the moment you've been waiting for

Here it is you know exactly what's in store!

Now's the time to laugh until our sides get sore

Now's the time to crown the King of Fools!

You all remember last year's King? Marianne saw a plump, older man with a half-empty bottle of rum in his hands being carried through the crowd. He let out a revolting belch and the crowd cheered.

"That is positively disgusting," she said.

"Indeed," a voice behind her said. She spun around to see the blonde boy from earlier. She only stared at him, while his smile faltered. "Permit me, my name's Gavin. I'm apprenticed over at the blacksmith's." Marianne nodded and he chuckled, "Might I know your name?"

"Oh! Marianne, my name's Marianne."

"That's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

She blushed, "Thank you, Gavin is also a nice name."

…For the face that's ugliest will be the King of Fools!

Why?

Clopin put his hand to his ear and did a back flip, laughing somewhat manically and winking at Marianne.

"And that's my brother…"

"Charming fellow," he said, laughing.

"Gavin! Get over here! You can't just run off like that, man!"

Gavin sighed, "That is my cousin, Marcello. He's new to the city; he was born and raised out in the countryside."

Just then the tall, red haired boy ran up to Gavin. He was scrawny and had long arms with large hands. His pale green eyes darted from person to person and his freckled cheeks were a deep red.

"God Lord Gavin, don't do that. There are too many people in this city for my taste and it's easy to get lost."

"Oh cousin, enjoy the festival! Here, let me introduce you to someone. Marcello, this is Marianne, she's dancing in the festival today."

Marcello eyed her for a while, "Pleasure to meet you." His eyes scanned her up and down and his nose wrinkled. To Gavin he whispered, "Cousin, do you know that you are speaking with a gypsy?" Gavin nodded. "Lord in heaven! Gavin, they are thieves and cutpurses. They travel across country and take whatever they can find!"

"Well, here there are many gypsies that live inside the city walls. And I for one do not believe they steal." Marcello rolled his eyes. "Besides," he said loudly, "Marianne is a wonderful dancer and a beautiful young lady, eh?" he poked his cousin in the side with his elbow and waggled his eyebrows, his large brown eyes twinkling.

"You give me too much credit, Gavin."

"Do I now?" he smiled widely.

Marianne was about to answer when total silence fell on the crowd. A few gasps were let out and people were staring, wide-eyed, at the stage. There stood Quasimodo, hunched over and hiding his face.

"That's no mask!" someone shouted.

"It's his face…" a woman buried her face in a man's shirt.

"He's hideous!" Marianne felt her hands ball up into fists.

"It's the bell ringer from Notre Dame!" a man pointed at the stage, mouth agape.

"Bloody hell, it's him," Gavin whispered to Marianne.

"Who?" Marcello was peering at the stage, brow furrowed.

"The bell ringer. It's said that Frollo took him in years ago, when he was a baby. He's got a hunchback and a horrible face deformity. Now he lives in the tower, hiding himself from the world."

"What on Earth is he doing here then?"

"I have no idea, cousin," Gavin was standing on his toes, trying to get a better view. Marianne slowly made her way to the stage, ready to tell Clopin to call everything off.

"Ladies and Gentleman, don't panic! We asked for the ugliest face in Paris and here it is! Quasimodo the Hunchback of Notre Dame!" She stopped dead in her tracks.

Everybody!

Once a year we throw a party here in town

Hail to the King…

Marianne tried to get to her brother, but it was no use, he was lost in the crowd.

"Marianne! Wait!" she heard Gavin behind her. "My, you sure are a fast one, where are you going?" she slumped her shoulders in defeat.

"I guess nowhere."

"Great! Then would you mind joining Marcello and I at the tavern?"

"Well, I suppose so. Sure, why not?"

"Wonderful! I will see you there then!" he smiled winningly and dragged his cousin back into the crowd.

When Marianne finally turned back to Quasimodo, she saw that somebody had thrown a tomato at his face. People laughed and began throwing vegetables and rocks at him. She gasped and tried to get up to the stage, pushing past people and guards alike.

"Hey! Stop it!" she knocked a cabbage out of a man's hand and he backslapped her across the face.

"Ah, ya' little smut…" he muttered, while picking up the remains of the vegetable.

Ropes were now tying Quasimodo down to the small stage he was on. His shirt was ripped and he was yelling at the crowd while being spun around. A few yards away, Marianne heard a man speak to Frollo.

"Master, please help me!" Quasimodo was yelling to him and he turned away!

"Sir, request permission to stop this cruelty." the man said.

"In a moment, Captain…a lesson needs to be learned today." Marianne spun around and faced Frollo dead on, her face red.

"You wretched man! You horrid, vile, cruel fiend! You are a heartless monster!" she yelled to Frollo, who narrowed his eyes at her. "How dare you do this to him!"

"Oi!" A guard was next to her, blocking her view, "You best be moving, gypsy," he threatened.

"You are as bad as him! Wretched bastards you all are," she shouted while being shoved away.

Again, there was dead silence in the crowd. Marianne turned to the stage to see Esmeralda ascending the steps, taking off her shawl. Her face was wary, but kind as she bent down and whispered something to him.

"You!" Frollo yelled, "Gypsy girl, come down at once!"

"Yes your honor, just as soon as I free this poor creature," she said back to him.

"I forbid it."

She pulled out her knife and slit the ropes, staring at Frollo defiantly. "How dare you defy me!" he snarled, pointing at her.

"You mistreat this poor boy the same way you mistreat my people. You speak of justice, yet you are cruel to those in need of your help."

"Silence!"

"Justice!" Esmeralda punched her fist in the air. Uh-oh.

"Mark my words, gypsy, you will pay for this insolence!"

"Then it appears we've crowned the wrong fool…" she took the King of Fools crown, "the only fool I see, is you!" she tossed the hat in the air and it landed a few feet away from Frollo, who was seething at this point.

Behind Marianne, three guards were closing in and she decided to get out as quickly as possible. She pushed her way through the crowd as Esmeralda began crying and pulled out a handkerchief. She blew her nose in it and disappeared in a puff of smoke. She always did like theatrics…

"Mari," a hand was on her shoulder. "Marianne, come. We must leave." Clopin had a look of concern on his face.

"What about Esmeralda? And Quasimodo?"

"Esmeralda can take care of herself," however, his face was unsure. "Quasimodo will have to face this on his own, unfortunately."

"Clopin!"

"No. That is final. Come, we are going home. Now."

"But--" Clopin shot her a look that immediately silenced her. Then Marianne thought of Gavin and her promise. "Wait! I promised a friend something, I have to tell them that I can't meet them."

"Oh no, we are going home."

"But…but…he'll think I left him there! That's rude!"

"And you know what else is rude? Not listening to your brother."

"Clopin, I have to tell him," she looked up at him, "please?"

He stared down at her, but the frown remained on his face. "I am sorry, we need to leave. Right now."

With that, he dragged his sister across the square and into the graveyard. When they reached the Court, Esmeralda was not there. Clopin and Marianne were getting worried.

"Where is she? Why isn't she back?"

"I don't know, I don't know." His face contorted with worry.

"Clopin," Ishmael Gregor came over to them, "I have received word from others. Esmeralda claimed sanctuary in Notre Dame. Guards are posted at every door; she cannot leave."

"No…"

"I'm sorry, we can only hope for the best."

"Clopin? Esmeralda is in trouble, isn't she?" Marianne asked after Ishmael left.

"She will be fine, she's a strong one."

"I hope so."

Was Esmeralda ever coming home? Marianne fled to her tent, on the verge of tears. What if she didn't?

Well, there it is! Hope ya'll enjoyed it and remember, review! Comments really do help guys!

Adios mis muchachos/muchachas!

SpeakUpAndFaceTheMusic