Thanks to the few that have reviewed! Hey, that was a rhythm lol!


It felt like forever until we reached the Palace. For some reason, it looked much gloomier and smaller than usual. It felt like a prison as we rode inside. Maybe it was because I had just witnessed such a terrifying yet brave escape. The need to leave this prison look alike was strong and I promised my restless soul that I'd walk around for a while.

Frollo held me tight as he rode on his dark horse. It was as though he was clinging to me, being possessive. Perhaps he was scared…scared that I might be taken just like Clopin took Esmeralda. I closed my eyes and rested against his warm chest, feeling him tense only for a moment.

Whether I faked sleep or actually dozed off, I opened my purple eyes to see I was in my own room. I didn't even remember feeling Frollo carry me! I guess I really had fallen asleep for a moment. The door had closed, making me awake so I couldn't have been out for long.

Making sure I wore some old clothes, I snuck out of the building. I looked like a boy, especially with my hair under my hat. There was no one, surprisingly, out this late so no one would stop me…hopefully.

The moon lit up the path to the graveyard. I remembered it from all those years ago, but it was good to have some guidance. Nothing had really changed, except a few freshly dug graves. I winced as I stepped on fresh dirt, shivering and quickly running to the knight's tomb.

It took me a moment to shove the top off without making any big noises. Sucking in what little gut I had, I slipped in through the crack. With as much grace and ease as I could muster, I slid the cover back to make sure no light gave away my presence. Of course this was a set back for I couldn't see and if I tripped, that would make noise and…you get the point.

Carefully and slowly, I made my way down the stairs. I had to slowly lower my foot to feel for another stair before lowering my body. So far, I made no noise except kicking two or three rocks. But that could have easily been from a rat.

When my feet touched the cold water and the stench of sewage water reached my noise, I knew I had made it down the stairs. I silenced the impulse to retch and covered my nose, breathing through my mouth.

Here came the hard part; walking through the water without making too much noise.

I'm sure Clopin had several men guarding the place considering Frollo tried to capture Esmeralda and arrest him. Actually, I shivered because the idea of several Skelton costumed men near me…well, that seemed very probable. It wouldn't surprise me, actually, to realize they were aware of my presence already. But I doubt it, since I didn't make a lot of noise…yet.

Without lifting my feet, I walked through the water and barely made a sound. It disgusted me to know that I had to feel my way through the water. I touched a skull, a hand, and…I don't even want to know what else my precious feet touched! Shivering, I felt so grateful when I felt dry land.

Once again, this part was challenging. How was I to walk on the land without tripping or kicking rocks? I had no way of knowing where the walls…the skeleton covered walls…twisted and turned, so what if I crashed into it? I very well couldn't touch the wall since Clopin's men could be hiding there.

So…I walked in a straight line. It didn't take long for me to see light at the end so I smiled. Fate was smiling upon me, giving me luck. Inhaling deeply, I made a straight sprint towards the light. It did not matter if I made unholy noise for I would reach Clopin before his minions could reach me.

When I threw myself into the light of the Court of Miracles, I nearly slammed into a colorful tent. It hadn't changed at all, now that I think of it. Glancing behind me, I saw no one and smiled at this. Looking around, I tried to remember and prayed that the King of Gypsies hadn't moved.

Once again, I was lucky. Or perhaps it was dumb luck, for I had no idea where I was. When I looked up, I saw a sign that read "King". Carefully and silently, I walked into the tent and saw a sleeping Clopin on several blankets. There was a bottle or two of wine, making me frown. If he had drunk himself to sleep…

Kneeling next to him, I shook him awake quite roughly. Covering his mouth, his eyes shot open and widened at the sight of me. Well…I think he thought I was a boy, since he shoved me off him and drew a dagger. When my body hit the ground, my hat fell which made my long black hair cascade down my shoulder and face.

"Lavender!" He exclaimed, putting away his dagger. Grabbing my wrist, he yanked me to sit next to him on the blankets. "What are you doing here? My men could have killed you!"

I fought the urge to be sick, knowing that I was right; Clopin had doubled, possibly even tripled, his security and his orders. Grabbing his ungloved hand, I blinked. That was a first.

"Clopin, I needed to speak to you. That was simply amazing what you did for Esmeralda today! Frollo is angered but it will simmer soon. Oh Clopin, I've missed you!" That's when I realized that I really had missed him. I hadn't seen him in a while and guilt, worry, and fear made the longing feeling…disappear. On impulse, I hugged him tight and felt him hesitate for a moment.

"What is it you need to talk about?" Despite the coldness in his voice, his grip was warm and…loving. He was trying to distance himself from me because I broke his heart…but he had missed me too, allowing himself the moment of weakness.

"Clopin…I am sorry." I spoke carefully, refusing to untangle myself from him. "I did not mean to hurt you this bad. Esmeralda told me…Clopin, I want you as a friend! I want you to come to the wedding; I want to see you after I'm wed. I want to walk the street and church with you! I want…"

Suddenly he pulled away and placed a finger on my lips, silencing me with such a gentle touch. "Lavender…I understand. My heart will heal. But…we can not always have what we want. I want you…but I can't have you. Do you honestly think that the judge will allow me to attend the wedding? Will he really allow you to walk the street with a gypsy man? One, might I add, who helped his prisoner escape?"

I stared at him, shocked and…saddened. "W-what are you saying? Can't we still talk and hang out?"

"…Lavender…go home. It's going to be dawn soon. Go home to your Judge and be happy. Forget about us, forget about me." His voice was gentle and held no bitterness when mentioning Frollo. "Just leave and live a happy life. That way both of us won't hurt."

I couldn't feel the tears falling down my face; I could only feel my heart breaking. Is this what Clopin felt that day in Notre Dame? Was this karma? Closing my eyes tight, I suddenly got up and sprinted away. No words I could say or even think of would convince him otherwise. My hat was left behind but I didn't care; let someone see me!

When I got to the Palace, it was well past dawn. My eyes were red and puffy; my face was covered in dirt and tear streaks. My hair was a mess from the wind, my clothes wrinkly and dirty. I had to be a sight but no one glanced twice at me.

What would Claude say to me? Oh I didn't care right now! I had just lost my friend, one of my first few friends. Tears threatened to appear once more but I hid them quickly. Clopin's words echoed in my mind as I entered the place.

Do you honestly think that the judge will allow me to attend the wedding? Will he really allow you to walk the street with a gypsy man?

I had lost Phoebus as a friend and now Clopin…I never felt so alone.

Looking up, I let out a strangled gasp. The whole place was decorated for our wedding! All sorts of dull yet bright colors were around, people were walking around to place flowers and getting food ready. Claude walked over to me, smiling. "Lavender I…what happened to you?"

I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry. I wanted to hurt someone, I wanted comfort. I wanted my friends back, Phoebus and Clopin. I wanted my parents back, smiling at me. I wanted Frollo to be nice. I wanted…

We can not always have what we want.

Turning on my heel, I went off in a sprint, ignoring Frollo's cries of protest and confusion.

I didn't want to get married.

I wanted my old life back.


Next chapter: Esmeralda hears the conversation and scolds at Clopin, making him realize his mistake. Will it be too late to be friends once more? Plus, Frollo is searching and almost burning down all of Paris for Lavender! Will Clopin find the girl and help before Paris is lost? We're near the end of the story! Review please