"One two three, jump! One two three, twist! One two three…AH!" I yelled in my mind, my long black skirt tripping me. I slammed into the unforgiving ground and blushed darkly. This dance I was supposed to learn months ago was nothing but torture! It was complicated, full of jumps, cartwheels, and mostly consisting of belly dancing. Normally I could learn quickly but with the new skirt, I was being tripped every other time.
Clopin often complained at how I needed clothes every few months. He said I was growing faster than a garden of weeds! Because of my constant need for bigger clothes, he got me some too big. I sometimes wondered if he did that to humiliate me or something. You never could be too careful with that man.
I was about thirteen and learning how to play the tambourine when I noticed Clopin staring at me. It annoyed me because I felt embarrassed and tense, which naturally made me mess up. I finally snapped at him to stop staring and his face turned pink! Of all colors visible; pink! He had stuttered for the first time ever, "I-I…You…I think we should buy you new clothes Lavender."
When I had asked why, his face turned an even darker shade and he pushed me into Esmeralda's care. That was when I learned about my body and its changes…as well as "the bees and the birds". When Esmeralda told me about it with such ease, I started to laugh at the thought of Clopin trying to explain it.
I was reaching my fifteenth birthday which was in one day, January 1st. It was amazing how these years passed so quickly…I collapsed on the ground and tilted my head back. The sky above me held dark clouds that threatened to snow any moment. The breeze was chilling yet warm which was odd since it was the end of December. An over-sized black skirt with bells on the middle and a sleeveless violet top protected me from the winter weather. For my eleventh birthday Clopin had gotten me four bangles, all gold. I wore two on my right hand and two on my left ankle, that way they jingled when I danced. While looking at them, I felt my mind go into the past.
It was the first anniversary of my father's death…I blamed them all, Clopin and his followers. They killed first and asked questions later. That's probably the thing that upset me the most. I had managed to get Clopin to talk about my mother on nights when I had trouble sleeping. On the nights when he had trouble sleeping, I told him about how my mother would tell tales of her childhood.
Once when I had a nightmare about my father, he stayed up all night to make sure I was sleeping safely and soundly. When I told him what I saw in that horrible dream, regret washed over his dark eyes. Even though he would never admit it, I could tell he wished he had never killed my father. I suppose I was glad when he had nightmares of it as well, for I still hadn't forgiven him.
I had just turned twelve and was dying to go to the Feast of Fools. Clopin, on the other hand, insisted that I should stay there so no one could take me. Why did he fear me being kidnapped? I knew how to take care of myself now and I knew how to escape people and places…so why was he so over-protective?
When he had come back, he was slightly drunk and had two or three bottles of wine. This upset me to where I was tempted to lecture him pointlessly about how rude he was being. Instead, I sipped some of the alcohol and listened to him tell me all the events. For the first time in months, I had laughed. It wasn't because of the events, tales, or jokes, it was because I felt so comfortable with him…the way his laugh sounded so…high yet soothing and deep…I could become addicted to that!
Esmeralda had promised to teach me to dance and sing. Well, to dance and play instruments instead. Clopin had questioned my ability to sing when I refused to learn and so I sang an old lullaby, drawing a crowd on accident. Ever since then, on the nights Clopin had trouble sleeping, I'd sing us both to sleep.
One night when I was practicing a cartwheel, not realizing my captor had strolled in, I cursed before trying to do it once more. His chuckle made me lose my balance, falling to the side with a broken wrist. "How is it that every time we're in here, I get hurt?!" I exclaimed with a half smile.
For my fourteenth birthday, I had practically begged Clopin to teach me to juggle. I didn't want boring stuff like juggling with apples, balls, or anything…I wanted to be a risk taker and try knives! When he asked why, I had blamed it on him. "I remember the day after my father's death, you sat there twirling them around, tempting me to reach out and attempt to grab one! You're a bad influence!" I, sadly, couldn't stop a smile curl on my lips.
His puppet came into the conversation, "She's right Clopin! You are a bad influence on such a beautiful girl!"
Clopin raised an eyebrow in mock surprise, "Am I now? What do I do wrong?"
The puppet replied as though it counted everything of its fingers, "You throw knives around, act like…"
He interrupted the piece of talking cloth, "Hush, silly boy."
The puppet rubbed his head and sounded hurt, "And you abuse me!"
We burst out laughing at that.
I had often wondered about Clopin's hands. That one time he took off his glove and showed me the blood from my cut, I saw a scar on his palm. From what I remember, it was a white letter scarred into him…but of what?
Finally on a stormy night I had the courage to ask him. His face showed true surprise, as if he didn't realize I had seen it or remembered. As he told me the story of how he got it, he showed me once more. It was an "F" on his palm. There was a bitter smirk on his face, "I had gotten caught when I was young and Frollo's soldiers burned me…no, they branded me I suppose."
Suddenly that little puppet that looked exactly like him in every way appeared, "Branded them like cows!" I giggled at Clopin as he smacked the puppet on the head.
Suddenly I felt the cold frost of snow flakes fall on my face. My smile grew large as I stood and danced childishly in the falling snow. I loved the snow…I loved to jump in huge piles and just lay there…of course I'd get a cold and get scolded by Clopin but it was worth it!
Even when my demented savior forbad me to go outside, I always snuck out after a snowstorm. It was pretty in the graveyard; old tombstones wrapped with old dead vines, snow covering the empty naked branches of the trees. I had an odd taste of "beauty" simply because I was odd as well.
The night was approaching fast, meaning more guards would be on the look out. I had learned the first year I was living in my new home that if I were to be alone outside after hours, to hide in the church and claim Sanctuary. But it was rare when I was outside after dark, even rarer to be outside alone!
Silently, running around a market twice to make sure no one was following me, I sprinted towards the graveyard I called home. As I ran through the snow, I remembered how much of an…outsider I was. When I was in school at the age of five, people avoided me not just because of my looks but because they knew my mother was a gypsy. It was ironic that when I joined my mother in the streets, the Gypsies avoided me as well. They saw me as the daughter of the Captain, an enemy.
The first few months I lived in the Court of Miracles, many people distrusted me and wanted to keep me locked up there for a while, fearing I would lead Frollo's men to their hidden lair. Clopin insisted that as long as he or Esmeralda followed, I could roam where ever.
"She can't stay with you in that tent!" A man's voice rang out, stopping me in my tracks. Silently, I tip-toed to the side of the building and listened. "St." John, who had always hated me, stood with a few people behind him, obviously supporting whatever he was rambling on about.
In front of him were Clopin and Esmeralda. This twenty five year old went on, "She's turning fifteen and at the age of thirteen, don't think we don't know, Esmeralda had to explain things to her! That girl should room with Esmeralda or someone else entirely!"
I was shocked, outraged, and in all together disgusted at what he was insinuating. I felt a rush of blood appear on my cheeks. "Come now, John, you know me and know how I am! I'm an honorable gentleman who has no intention of doing anything more than merely sleeping with her, only sleep. And that girl as you kindly put it has a name; Lavender Hellrose Black. Or have you forgotten? She will not leave and…"
John laughed as well as two other followers, "I have no worries about you trying anything, Clopin, I am worried about her trying to seduce you. She's a daughter of a soldier, a captain no less! She can't be trusted!" That hurt more than I was willing to admit. Almost half of the Gypsies thought I wasn't trust worthy simply because I was the blood of the man they killed? And what's worse is that they actually believed that I would trick the King they all adored into bed?
I can't deny that I have had thoughts and dreams about it. I mean, Clopin was quite handsome with his goatee and his eyes. His voice wrapped around me like silk when he spoke, whether scolding or talking casually. Still, I would never act upon them!
From what I could see, Clopin was shocked into silence, his face cherry red. The Gypsy girl next to him realized it too for she cried out, "Who are you to judge what she might and might not do? You've never said a kind word to her! And now you come here with a mob saying Lavender might betray us, acting as if you have known her for years! That child is like my sister and I say she won't betray us or seduce Clopin, isn't that right?"
Clopin was still silent, lost in his own thoughts. That cloud glaze washed over his eyes, making my suspicions confirmed. Either he was thinking over the past few weeks with me, wondering if John was right or not, or perhaps he was thinking of some…tactics I might use.
I suddenly stepped out of the shadows, making sure the jingles of my bells were heard. With a violet frown, I placed a hand on my hip and looked at the mob with a disapproving glare. "…So you people, all of you, believe I will take over this place? That, simply because you killed my father who happened to be captain of Frollo's armies, that I would get revenge by making your precious King fall for me? I refuse to leave the shelter I've known for years unless the King himself orders me to. In his tent, knowing he's just a few feet away, helps chase away the nightmares that all of you have created!"
A hand was placed on my shoulder, silencing me. The blushing man finally found his voice, "She's staying with me unlike she wishes to move in with Esmeralda. If I hear any fights, whispers, or argues about it, they'll be hell to pay." Quickly and quietly the crowd disappeared into varies parts of the village.
I let out a shivering breath I didn't realize I was hold, my shoulders shaking from the cold weather and heat of the moment. Clopin's hands started to play with my black hair. Looking up, I blushed to see his intense gaze on me. "You were outside again, weren't you?" He asked.
Amazed, I questioned, "Yes…how did you…" Before I could even finish the sentence, he held out a handful of snowflakes that were caught in my raven hair. Shrugging calmly, I tried my best to act innocent while brushing off snow from my outfit, "Okay so…maybe I was practicing a dance. I wasn't caught so you can't scold me!"
His eyes stared into mine and I could see he was drowning in…thoughts? Regret? Pain? This was a new emotion I haven't seen in his eyes before. Then he did something he hadn't done since I was ten; he kissed my forehead. It was a small gesture of comfort but my face lit up, the last few minutes appearing in my mind.
"Come Lavender, let's go outside and practice juggling knives." He said with a mock dangerous voice. Lately it was rare for him to teach me anything, what with the Feast coming up.
As we stood in the cold weather, I grabbed two daggers and tossed them up and down. Without warning, Clopin threw another in and watched me juggle an arm and leg. I trusted him enough to know he would never intentionally harm me.
A few minutes passed and I was in deep concentration, juggling now six knives while doing a few simple tricks. There was one I never dared to attempt that Clopin teasingly did all the time; add a lit torch into the objects leaving and returning to his hand. I guess I was lost in such thoughts that I didn't hear Clopin sneak up behind me. He grabbed my shoulder, making me yelp and drop the knives. One slit my palm, wincing at the pain.
"Clopin what in the hell is wrong with you?! I could have stabbed you!" I scolded while the snow beneath me grew red. He gave an innocent sheepish grin and took out the puppet. Before it could speak, I stood and nearly tackled him to grab it.
My foot slipped on ice, making me crash into him. We both fell to the ground, a blush staining our cheeks. Without noticing, I rested my hand on the puppet which, in other words, meant I was holding his hand. I stuttered, "I…Well….you…Um…Uhh…"
Clopin smirked at my babbling, "Why don't we practice something else, no? Let's see…knife combat?"
As if forgetting what just happened, I stood up and smiled, grabbing two daggers. I always loved to fight him with knives. Of course I never won but I was getting close to beating him!
Ignoring my wounded hand, I ran at him but, at the last moment just a foot away, twirled around and jumped in the air, landing behind him. I placed a knife at his throat with a grin. He allowed me that moment of false triumph before grabbing my arm and flipping me over him. For such a skinny man with no muscle in sight, he was strong!
Glaring playfully, I jumped on my feet and threw the dagger at his head. Of course, like always, he caught it and threw two back. I dodged the first one but the second stabbed my skirt into a tree. Carefully removing it, I looked up to see him tackle me to the ground. We tumbled downhill for a moment before I got up and ran towards the fallen dagger.
As soon as I grabbed the object, he grabbed my ankle and pulled with all his strength…which hurt. Falling on the ground roughly, I looked around in a daze to see the blurry outline that belonged to Clopin. He rested his foot on my stomach, crouching down to place the dagger at my throat.
Glaring half serious, I muttered, "I still don't see how you do that…" A smile danced on his lips.
And the puppet, the cause of this all, said suddenly, "He practices! That's all he ever does is practice, practice, practice! Perhaps if he found a girl he wouldn't…"
Clopin smacked the cloth with the end of the dagger, "Silence you!" After helping me up, I finally realized how big the cut was.
"Uhh…" I muttered in concern.
The King frowned as we walked back inside, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, you should be more careful!" Half of me wanted to slap him upside the head.
Bowing mockingly, I replied, "Yes My oh Might King!"
He chuckled, "I suppose a King, no matter how Mighty, should help his subjects clean the wound."
Raising an eyebrow, walking into the tent, I said, "You're being sadistic! You just want to see me in pain when you pour that whiskey on the cut you caused!" He gasped in fake shock and took out a bottle of alcohol. There was something about his smirk that sent shivers down my spine. Whether it was because of the mask or not, it still gave me the idea that he really was sadistic…
The next few days passed without a single bit of snow. It was calm and peaceful, many people getting ready for the festival. I had begged Clopin to take me to at least watch, I even promised to stay attacked to his hip…Which came out all wrong. All he would do is smile and shake his head before leaving or changing the subject.
Finally on the day of the festival, Esmeralda came over to me and practically dragged me outside. "You want to go, right? Well take my place! You know the dance and you can wear different clothes so you don't mess up." Why was she nearly begging me to take…Ah, so she had a date with that blonde soldier! What was his name…Dofus? Fifus? Sonny? Oh well.
"Does Clopin know about this?" I asked with a hand on my hip. It was clear that I was enjoying her squirm like a kid caught stealing from the cookie jar. With a shake and nod of the head, we agreed; I'd take her place and right after the dance, I could enjoy the music and such while she distracted or warned me where Clopin was.
I was under the stage, waiting a few inches away from the trapdoor, listening to Clopin sing. His voice always gave me the shivers even on the hottest day. I looked at myself real fast; the dress I wore had sleeves that hung, showing off my shoulders. Bells and Fools gold decorated me. Instead of an orange outfit, like Esmeralda had planned to wear, my outfit was plain violet. I have one gold earring on, my black hair covering half of it.
"Dance La Esmeralda…Dance!" Suddenly he threw something down, fell down the trapdoor and, not noticing who it was, threw me up on stage. I froze for a moment, hoping and praying to remember all the steps. Covering most of my face with a fan, I danced seductively and made sure all the men were watching before doing a cartwheel.
Seeing Judge Claude Frollo made me gasp. Over the past few years his hair had turned gray, his face looked sullen, and his eyes were colder than ice itself. Perhaps he wouldn't recognize me! After a silent debate, I ran over to him and jumped on the chair he sat on, smirking. Closing the fan with a snap, I wrapped a black scarf with light purple flowers around his neck, pulling him slowly closer and closer to me.
Our lips were a mere inch apart but that's not why he had such a look of surprise and shock in his eyes. Grinning evilly, I slammed that ridicules hat of his in his face and did a back flip off, continuing the dance. As I finished the dance with a split, I felt the priest's eyes stare at me.
Quickly, hiding my face so Clopin didn't recognize me, I ran off stage and snickered. This was the most fun I've ever had! Listening to the music, I danced by myself near a deserted area of the place. I wanted to be alone for a moment, to talk to my mother and father.
A ring-covered hand smothered my yelp of surprise, another hand wrapping around my waist from behind. Panic and fear ran through my blood as I struggled against the tight grip. "Shh…" The man whispered behind me into my ear, clearly enjoying the scent of my black hair.
I stomped on the person's foot and spun around to see…Judge Claude Frollo?! My face turned pale as I bowed a little. That, I fear, was my first mistake. Gypsies usually don't bow to such a cruel person with real respect…so it gave the idea I had been a noble before.
He stared at me with huge warm eyes. I stared back, drinking in every detail. Apparently he was doing the same for his gaze rested on my nearly exposed chest. Blushing, I pulled the dress to an appropriate manner. "Lavender…" His voice was just above a whisper.
The crowd started to waltz closer so he pulled me into a deserted alley. He stared at me as if I were a ghost, "Lavender Black…I've been looking for you for the past five years!"
Finally finding my voice, I asked, "Why, Minister?" Frollo's eyes flashed with madness, desperation and relief. He gently caressed my face, amazed at how I grew. I continued, "I don't mean to sound…ungrateful or anything…but why? You fired my father and…" My voice was caught in my throat when he grasped my hands.
Frollo held onto them, answering, "Because, Lavender, I heard about those Gypsies killing Arthur. I worried you were killed or raped or…Well apparently not but I searched for you."
I guess I looked like a fish with my mouth opening and closing so many times. "Why? Why did you look for me for five years…Claude?" It was quite clear that me saying his name brought Goosebumps to his pale skin.
As if time had frozen, as if we were all alone in the dirty streets of the festival, he pulled me into a gentle embrace which I had no desire to break away from. "Because…" His voice was husky, deep, and clouded with…need perhaps? Or relief. "Because Lavender, before your fifth birthday, your father promised your hand to me in marriage!"
I literally felt all the air get sucked out of me, my body rigid. Part of me screamed to pull away from this man while the other side snuggled into the warm embrace I've rarely felt. "My father…promised me to you? Why?" Although I was enjoying the hug didn't mean my voice couldn't have traces of shock and hysteria in it.
Frollo held me out in arms length, overlooking at how I had grown. "Why, my dear girl? So he could become captain! Your father swore I'd have you if he was captain. Lavender, I've been so worried!" He took my face in his hands, making me stare into his eyes.
In all truth, the emotions I once felt for him when I was young still housed in me and returned full force. It made sense though; my father, for whatever reason, brought me to the place where my mother was raised so Frollo would never find me. He must have killed himself, said he was a spy, because he knew he couldn't stay with me in the Courts…meaning he had to live in the city. If he was caught and questioned for me, he obviously didn't trust himself to go through torture silently. Why did he hide me from Frollo though? What made him change his mind? Better yet, I wonder if Clopin was in on all this since he never let me outside a lot.
My breathing increased as I put the puzzle pieces together, noticing I still missed a few. "Claude…" I couldn't say anything else; I just rested my hand on his.
He raised an eyebrow, "Where have you been these past years?"
My heart stopped. I managed to speak a lie smoothly, "I've been living with a Gypsy family outside of town, on a farm. Oh my, Claude!" Quite suddenly I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him, not letting go. "It's been so long! Tell me, why…"
"Lavender, Clopin knows you're here!" Esmeralda suddenly ran towards us. Claude took a step back while I looked at her in fear. "Come, we must go or else he'll find you."
Frollo looked at me with worry and concern shining in his cold eyes. "Are you being held prisoner?"
My mouth dropped in shock. In some aspects, I suppose I was. YES I WAS!!!! Then again, I didn't wish to cause any trouble. "No, Claude, not at all. My family's…father is looking for me. He hates this festival. Please, forgive me, I must leave."
As Esmeralda started running off, the judge grabbed my wrist and pulled me close. "You're mine, Lavender, remember that. Meet me at the church tomorrow night." I should have been scared at the wild look in his eyes, the possessive way he grasped me…but I wasn't. I nodded and quickly ran to catch up with my friend.
So many questions raced through my mind as we raced to the Court of Miracles. There had to be a reason why Father, an honorable man, went back on his word about my secret betrothed marriage. What was it? Did Clopin know? Is that why he didn't want me to go to the Feast of Fools? How was my mother killed? And, in my current situation, what would Clopin do when we get back?
That last question was answered rather quickly for when we snuck towards the tents, Clopin's voice boomed, "Lavender, I wish to talk to you outside…Now!" I flinched. This was the first time I had ever heard him that angry and it made me shake slightly.
When I stepped outside, I sat on a grave to collect myself. Clopin followed suit, standing before me. His lips in a tight frown, his body and fist shaking in rage. I know fear shined brightly in my purple eyes as I stared at the mad Clopin. "Care explaining why you disobeyed me and went, not only to the Feast, but danced in front of all those people?!" With each word, his voice got louder and louder. I winced and looked away.
"Because I had begged Esmeralda to let me take her place…I wanted to have fun." My voice was strained with hidden truth.
Suddenly Clopin grabbed my hair, pulling it back roughly to make my head snap up to meet his eyes. I gasped at the sharp unexpected pain, grinding my teeth in control. Without the mask, he looked scary. His eyes, just like Frollo's, had a wild look in them. "I see…then tell me what you were doing in the arms of Judge Frollo?!"
My mouth opened slightly, gasping once more in surprise. How did he see? As if reading my mind, he sneered while pulling my hair more, "I saw the fan you danced with, it was clear it was you so I followed. It's an interesting view to see one's friend in another's arms from atop a roof!"
Now my body shook with fear of what he would do. Somehow I managed to answer, "He pulled me into the alley and…he told me he had been looking for me. He was worried about me after my father died."
"And so you went into his embrace and clung to him simply because of his worry?! Would you have bedded him if I hadn't sent Esmeralda to get you?!" He shouted in my face. So Esmeralda had knowingly took me away into this…I couldn't blame or get mad at her, for Clopin is our King and we must do as he says.
God he was so sexy when he shouted with that accent! Okay, so it was the wrong time to go all girly-girly but still! My feared gaze hardened as I grabbed his hand, sinking my nails into the back of it, "Bed him? For Goodness sake's, Clopin, I just met the man I've known half my life for the first time in years! Can you blame me for hugging him?! The only friends I have here is you and Esmeralda because your worthless subjects act like they're too good for me!"
His eyes widened at how I reacted. Ignoring the blood seeping down his glove, he grabbed the back of my neck and watched my squirm in discomfort. "Those worthless subjects are Gypsies and, as I recall, so are you! We're the ones who took you in!" I didn't tell him about the arranged marriage so of course he wouldn't realize my father had done all this on purpose.
I shouted in confined rage that had been building for years, "Took me in?! You freak, you and your people are the ones who killed my father in the first place! Of course you had to take me in; you couldn't live knowing there was an orphan on the streets because of…" He slapped me suddenly. It wasn't a strong hit but it wasn't weak either…it was enough to make me go silent.
My eyes widened with shock as I placed a hand on my cheek. He too realized what he had just done and pulled away. "I-I'm sorry Lavender…I didn't mean…" I stood up and ran past him into the Court of Miracles, not wanting him to see my tears. Stumbling a bit, I managed to find our tent and crawled in the bed that was mine. I pulled the privacy curtain around me and hugged my pillow. I faintly heard him come in and talk.
Closing my eyes, I felt the priest's arms around me once more, showing me love and comfort. What could have made my father so worried about that minister to make him kill himself just to make sure I was hidden?
Please review! I want to know what people are thinking, even if its just one word like "cool" or something! Next chapter: Lavender goes to the church and talks to Frollo. When she comes back home, Clopin is talking to his puppet about how he feels about her. She listens and...etc.