I stared up at the two men I loved dearly. Clopin and Claude…They stood at the doorway gaping at each other. It was comical but the depression I felt at that moment forced me not to laugh. Their faces…They looked priceless! Their mouths were slightly open from shock, their eyes huge and their body stance ready to pounce.
When the sun had been setting, I had realized I had no place to go. I was no longer safe. So, against my will, I returned to a place where I knew I was always welcomed simply because no one lived there anymore.
My childhood house.
When I first stepped into the house, I smiled softly to realize nothing had changed. Our knick-knacks were nowhere since we had given them to charity just before Father got arrested. Nothing was destroyed thankfully. The walls were intact, except mold was on several things.
Closing the door, I had strolled through the hall and glanced at my old room. It was bare and chilly. Shivering, I went into the kitchen. Would it be okay for me to start an oven that wasn't used for five years? Risking it, I did just that. Warmth filled the place without warning.
As I stepped into my parent's room, I felt fresh tears stream down my face. Immediately I regretted going in here. So many memories flooded my mind, making my break down even worse. I had snuggled up in the bed, which surprised me it was there still. Hugging my knees, I allowed myself to cry for several minutes.
Of course this didn't last long, for I heard two voices exclaim, "You!" When I looked up, there was Frollo and Clopin.
I just sat there, all three of us exchanging glances.
Finally I spoke up. The hat I had worn a few hours ago fell off near the oven. I hoped nothing would happen. (A/N: Hence the fire they don't realize is starting.) "Claude…Clopin…what are you two doing here?"
Their faces fell, giving me dull glares as though the answer was obvious. Well…then again, it was. It took my will power not to smirk then and there. Clopin spoke up first, "Lavender, I was a fool. I'm sorry for what I said; I wish to be friends again! Esmeralda, she came to me and scolded at my childish…"
"You're the one who helped that gypsy escape! Wait till my guards get here! Captain Phoebus will arrest you!" Frollo interrupted quite suddenly.
My old friend must have been promoted in search for me. I hesitated, unsure of what to say. Clopin turned to face the Judge. "I helped her escape from false charges! She is no witch; you're just blind and stupid to fall for her tricks of the eye!"
"Silence!" I shouted suddenly, my voice cracked with recent sobs. My eyes were bloodshot, my voice unbalanced and gravely. My hair must have been a mess from running in the wind under a hat, giving me the appearance of insanity.
"Clopin…You…you really want to…be friends?" I whispered softly, ignoring Frollo's shocked face. I had forgotten that he never knew about my secret friendship.
The man smiled softly, his eyes glittering with happiness and…tears? "Yes Lavender! If I can't have you as my lover, I'll have you as my friend! I treasure your kindness, you smile…your laugh…your beauty. Your mother's beauty."
I inhaled sharply at the mention of my mother. Not many people told me I looked like her because…well, they never saw her and me together. The gypsies would have never told me similar because I never talked to them.
"Lavender…what is the meaning of this?" Claude asked suddenly. His voice was sharp with worry, exhaustion, and curiosity as well as anger. His eyes darted between the gypsies and me frantically, as if the answer would appear between us.
My voice was shaky, soft. "…I had…I had left when we arrived at the Palace. I went to the Court of Miracles…I needed to talk to Clopin. When I had got there…When I got there, he…he told me to forget him and my mother's blood in me; the gypsies. He told me to forget all about them and live with you, happy. I wanted to be friends still, wanted him to come to the wedding and…he said no. He didn't wish to be friends. That's why I ran here, Claude."
Without warning, we heard a crackle and a crash. It was loud, so loud that we all winced. Looking up, I got out from the bed and stepped closer to them. I gasped when they tried shoving me back; there was a fire in the hallway!
The only escape was the window!
Feeling heat above my head, I let out a cry of surprise; fire had consumed the ceiling! All three of us ran towards the window. I was about to get out first when I hesitated. I wanted to get something of my mothers; something I knew she had left hidden.
Pulling away from the window, I watched as Frollo climbed out. The smoke was thick, fooling him into thinking I was outside already. I knelt beside a wall and dug out a brick. Pulling out a box, I tucked it into my pant pocket and let out a scream.
A flaming piece of wood was about to fall on me!
I felt gloved hands grab my arms, yanking me out of the way. It was Clopin! Both of us coughed as we walked towards the window, tears stinging our eyes. "You go first, Lav!" He exclaimed.
I hesitated but nodded, although he would not see it. As soon as my foot touched the ground outside, I heard a loud crack. I turned to see that the ceiling was falling! There was no time for Clopin to get out…there was no chance…
"Run Lilac!" He shouted suddenly, a loud yell and groan following it.
I felt Frollo's arms wrap around me, dragging me away as I kicked and screamed against him. The black smoke covered the house completely…but Clopin…was no more.
Is Clopin really dead? Last chapter: Wedding and conclusion! Review please
