A few hours later the ringing bells waked us. We woke up in shock. We still had the wax in our ears, but as I said, it didn't hold off much. We got up and saw with amazement that Quasimodo was ringing the bells. It took a few minutes before he jumped off one of the bells and landed in front of us. Undamaged, but out of breath.

"Quasimodo, what are you doing?" I asked blankly.

"My work. You slept," he said.

"What's your injury doing?" I asked.

"It doesn't hurt anymore," he said and smiled at me.

That smile was so warm from the heart that I almost melted away.

"Should I leave you alone?" Asked Jasmine mischievously.

I playfully punched her in the side: "Stop it!"

"What is it?" She said innocently.

I walked past her onto the balustrade.

Quasimodo was puzzled by Regina's reaction to him. And how she left her friend standing ... Jasmine grimaced angrily and left the bell tower. Quasimodo looked helplessly after Jasmine and then turned to Regina, who was standing at the balustrade.

"Your friend left," I heard Quasimodo say.

"What? Where to?" I said, startled after turning around to him.

"Down," said Quasimodo.

"We'd better not get separated ..." I said worriedly.

"We could catch up with her.", Quasimodo said and came up to me.

I guessed what he was up to and raised my hands in front of my body: "Oh no ... no ... no ..."

Quasimodo wanted to carry me down, along the facade. But I have a problem ... fear of heights. As soon as I stepped to the balustrade, I had a queasy feeling in my stomach and didn't even dare to look down ...

"That's the only way.", Quasimodo said and suddenly grabbed me. He lifted me over his shoulder. Then he actually climbed down the facade with me, who was screeching and whimpering over his shoulder. The horror! When we got downstairs, my whole body was shaking.

I raised my hand: "NEVER do that AGAIN!"

Quasimodo winced briefly when he feared I was about to hit him

I dropped my hand as I realized how my gesture affected him.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to be mad at you. You just took me off guard," I said.

At that moment the main portal opened and Jasmine stepped out.

"What are you doing here?" Asked Jasmin.

"I think it wouldn't be good if we split up. After all, we both come from the same time," I explained.

"I thought it would be best to leave you alone for a moment," said Jasmine.

"And where did you want to go?" I asked.

"See the city for myself?"

"I'll be there!" I said.

I looked at Quasimodo, who turned away and tried to climb the facade again.

Jasmine put a hand on my shoulder: "He's safe in Notre Dame," she said.

"Yes, as long as he doesn't have one of his 'seizures'," I said.

Then I followed Jasmine down the street until we came across a market in a small square in the shadow of the cathedral. We walked across the square, looked at the stalls and saw a group of gypsies making music in the center of the square. Then an idea occurred to me.

"What if Quasimodo's family is still alive?" I said suddenly.

"What do you mean?" Asked Jasmin.

"His parents are not even mentioned in the novel. And also not in the Disney film adaptation. We only see the gypsies wanting to go to Paris with him. Maybe the gypsies can give us answers. Because I know where Quasimodo appeared. Maybe he was with one of the gypsies in Reims back then, "I said

"Then ask," said Jasmine with a shrug.

Then she listened to the music and rocked a little. One of the dancing gypsies invited her to dance with him, which she did.

I observed 3 men behind these music-making gypsies who seemed to be whispering to one another. I went to them.

"Forgive me, gentlemen." I said a little nervously.

The three ragged gypsies looked at me as if I had insulted them.

"Oh look here!" Said one of them.

"We are" gentlemen "for her? Where do you come from that beggars are called gentleman?" Said the second, who wore a kind of crown on his head.

"I didn't mean to be rude," I replied.

"Hmm, somehow I like the little one," said the one with the crown.

"I guess you are Clopin, the king of beggars," I said.

"Hm ... what if that were the case?" He asked.

"Then maybe you could answer a question for me," I said.

Clopin stepped forward: "I hear?"

"Were you in Reims about 20 years ago?" I asked him.

"How did you come up with that?" Asked one of the two men behind Clopin.

"Well, Esmeralda lived with you. She grew up with you. But she originally came from Reims," I said.

"No idea. I've been in Paris a lot longer. I didn't travel to Reims at the time you mentioned. An old woman came here with Esmeralda. But she died a year after arriving and Esmeralda ... well, you sure heard about that. ", explained Clopin.

"Yes." I said curtly.

"When children come to us, we don't ask questions. We take them in like our flesh and blood," said Clopin.

"Is anyone from your realm from Reims?" I asked.

"Could be. I don't know. As I said, we don't ask questions when you come to us and join us. We are happy about every new source of income.", Said Clopin, pointing to the musicians and dancing gypsies who are currently playing Coins were just thrown for them.

"What is all this questioning about? As a nun you shouldn't be interested in us," said Clopin.

"I'm not a nun. I want to help someone. Someone who is very close to my heart. I'm looking for his family. The only thing I know is that this person was the first to appear in Reims. As a child," I explained.

"A family reunification? How touching! I like something like that. Well, come with me. You can speak to my people tonight. Perhaps you will find the answer you are looking for there.", Clopin explained and took my hand.

"Jasmin? Jasmin!" I called my friend, who was still dancing with the gypsies. She showed them a few modern moves from our century, which the gypsies imitated partly fascinated and partly amused.

"Do not worry about your friend, she will join us tonight. It seems to me that she is quite popular with the people.", Clopin said and continued to watch the coins fly, "This troupe has never had so much income . "

Clopin pulled my hand away. Over a bridge, the Port au Change. Through a couple of dark alleys until we finally stood in front of an entrance to the catacombs. A terrible stench came towards us here.

"Do we really have to go in there?" I asked.

"If you want your answers, yes," said Clopin.

I stumbled after Clopin through the sometimes absolute darkness. Until after some time a light slowly became visible at the end of the tunnel.

Before I knew it, I was suddenly in the middle of the Court of Miracles. A huge underground hall with tents and wagons that were close to the walls. In the center there was something like a stage with a throne on it and behind this stage an inn was built. There the gypsies got them food and drink. Clopin pulled me behind him as he headed for the stage. When we were on stage, Clopin let go of me for a moment, sat on his throne and then pulled me onto his lap.

"Hey! What is this supposed to be?" I sounded almost indignant.

"Nana ... no fuss please. I just want my fun. Do you think I'll do this for free? That's a give and take here with the beggars. Don't you know that?", Clopin said and began to fondle me.

"Well, as you think.", I said and opened my bottom, "But so that one thing is clear: if you go too far, you regret it. Understand?", I said this in such a tone that I did not allow any contradiction .

"As the Mademoiselle wishes.", Clopin said and already he roughly grabbed my breat and pulled her out of the low.

"What a lease ..." he enthused and put his lips on my nipple. It was a bit cold down here, which is why it couldn't be hidden. I let him suck on me and paw until Jasmin arrived with the gypsy troop. I quickly tied my breasts back up while Clopin counted the receipts. Then he gave everyone something to drink and the alcohol flowed freely. But before the first could take his sip, Clopin asked to be heard: "Just a moment, you filthy street rats! This mademoiselle has an important matter and hopes we can help her. So listen and help if you can. Her friend brought us this fantastic income today, which gives you food and drink. "

Suddenly the hall was silent and everyone was staring at me. I cleared my throat: "Hello, thank you for allowing me to be here. I am looking for the family of someone who I know somehow got into the hands of Gypsies as a child. In Reims he was traded for another child That is the only clue I have. So may I ask, was any of you in Reims about 20 years ago? "

The gypsies began to whisper to one another until finally an old woman stepped forward: "I was in Reims at the time. I came here with Esmeralda and her grandmother."

I jumped off the stage to talk to her face to face: "Do you know anything about the child Esmeralda was exchanged for?" I asked.

"Oh ... that devil who lives in Notre Dame now?" Said the woman and was startled.

"Do you know where he came from?" I asked.

"No. But ... one of ours brought him to us out of pity. He stayed in Reims because he fell in love with a girl.", Said the old woman.

"What was his name?" I asked.

"Alfonso, if I'm not mistaken," said the old woman.

I took her hands in mine in thanks. She had definitely helped me, because apparently none of them had been in Reims at the time.

"Hey!" Clopin called down to me when the old woman was gone.

I climbed back onto the stage: "Yes?"

"Did you get your answer?" Asked Clopin and I nodded.

"Very nice!", Clopin shouted and handed me a mug with wine: "Then cheers! May you achieve your goal!"

I toasted with the beggar king. And although I didn't actually drink alcohol, this time I drank it in order not to be rude. However, it quickly made me sick and I had to lie down. I was taken to one of the tents and I couldn't remember anything else.

When I woke up the next morning, I had an insane headache. But before I had to call for help, my hangover medieval breakfast was waiting for me. Which I devoured and then left the tent after half an hour.

"Hey, Regina!", Jasmine shouted and came running towards me: "It's about time you wake up. I've been through the night and I've been awake longer than you.", She said with a grin.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"1 o'clock noon.", Said Jasmin with a quick glance at the clock.

"We should go back," I said, "Quasimodo will be worried."

"Oh, he knows that we can take care of each other." Said Jasmin.

"In a time strange to us? Let's go!" I said and grabbed her arm. Jasmine let herself be dragged along somewhat stubbornly. One of Clopin's "bodyguards" from yesterday brought us back to the surface.

Here we found our way alone by looking out for Notre Dames Towers.

We entered the cathedral and went up the steps. When we came out of the south tower and walked across the upper gallery, the bells began to ring. We pressed our hands to our ears and felt the vibrations that the bells made in the ground below us. It took 5 minutes before the bells fell silent again. We took a deep breath and went on. When we arrived in the north tower, Quasimodo suddenly jumped from above us directly in front of us and looked at us questioningly: "I thought you have returned to your time."

"No, not that. But I found something.", I said and took his hand, "Would you go on a trip with me?"

Jasmine looked at me speechless and Quasimodo seemed to look at me amazed.

"Where to?" Asked Quasimodo.

"To Reims," I said.

"No, I vowed never to leave the cathedral again," said Quasimodo.

"But there is also a beautiful cathedral in Reims," I said.

"No, I'm staying here."

"The truth is ... I'm trying to find your parents."

"I don't need parents. I don't need anyone.", Quasimodo said and turned away from us.

"And now what?" Asked Jasmine.

"He can't be convinced. But 2 women who go to Reims alone? Too dangerous at this time," I said.

"Wait a minute, maybe he'll change his mind." Said Jasmine.

I went to our cell and sat down on the bed thoughtfully. I questioned my decision that if Quasimodo didn't want to see his parents, there was no point in looking for them any further. But I worried about what would become of Quasimodo if we left this time. In addition, I was concerned with why we have not caused a space-time paradox so far. Since we were here, it was like we belonged to that time ... What could be the reason for that?

Quasimodo was annoyed at Regina's words. She wanted to find his parents. What for? After all, they had abandoned him. He hated her for it. He hated them for putting him in this world at all ... He was sitting on the balustrade, leaning against one of the gargoyle figures. As motionless as he stayed, you could have mistaken him for a gargoyle. Then Jasmine passed him. She stood next to him by the balustrade and tapped him on the shoulder to make him look at her.

"You know, Regina didn't mean to upset you. Everything she does, she does for you. You mean more to her than anyone else. She wants you to be fine and you have a bright future. She doesn't want you stay alone. That's why she wanted to find your parents. "

"I don't need parents," said Quasimodo.

"But everyone needs company. You too.", Said Jasmine, "It may be that you grew up here, but you are not a stone figure like him.", She pointed to the gargoyle. "You are a person like us. People need other people to whom they can confide. Otherwise the soul suffers from loneliness."

Quasimodo looked thoughtfully at Jasmine.

"Admit it, you often felt alone up here, didn't you?" Asked Jasmine, "Until you met Esmeralda. Quasimodo turned his head and looked at the horizon.

"Esmeralda ..." he muttered.

In the evening Quasimodo brought us bread and cheese in a basket for dinner. He put the basket down on the floor in front of me and wanted to turn away.

"Wait, don't you want to have dinner with us?" I asked him.

"No, it's better that way.", Quasimodo said and left.

"I had the feeling that he should tell us something," said Jasmine.

I shrugged my shoulders: "Maybe he needs another try."

"What are you going to do now? Do you still want to go to Reims?" Said Jasmine.

"Yes. Maybe his parents want to see him. We don't even know the circumstances under which Quasimodo was born. What I do know is that Quasimodo was not abandoned by his birth parents here in Notre Dame. Perhaps it was introduced under dramatic circumstances? But I can only find out by finding this Alfonso in Reims. He was, so to speak, a witness on the day that Quasimodo came to the gypsies, "I said thoughtfully.

The squeak of the door made us sit up and take notice. I looked at the door, which had been a crack ajar, and saw a prominent shadow flit away.

"He was," I said with a sigh.

I couldn't sleep that night. I racked my brains trying to help Quasimodo when he didn't want to see his parents. How would he react if I took her to Paris? Would that even be wise?

When we got up the next morning, Quasimodo had already been there. He had put our breakfast basket in front of the door on the floor. After we had eaten and got ready, the bells rang. We quickly put the wax earplugs in our ears and then left our cell. We stepped on the balustrade to catch some air when the bells stopped and Quasimodo came up to us.

"Good morning, Quasimodo.", We wished him.

"Good morning," he said, "I've thought of something."

Jasmin and I stared at the bell ringer, who looked almost embarrassed as he stepped from one foot to the other.

"Yes?" I said.

"I'll come with you," he said after a long pause, "you as women shouldn't travel alone. It's dangerous. I'll protect you."

I suddenly forgot everything around me, a mixture of astonishment and admiration seized me. Part of me then cheered with joy inside.

"You have to be well prepared for a trip and have enough provisions. Here.", Quasimodo said and handed us a few coins. They were uncleanly minted, which they clearly revealed as coins from the Middle Ages. "

"Go to the market and buy provisions." said Quasimodo and then left again. I stared at Jasmin in disbelief: "I somehow have the feeling that you have something to do with it ..." I said. Jasmine just winked at me and then we went down to the square with 2 large baskets to go shopping at the market. We got bread, some meat and long-life fruit. We then carried it back up the tower. It was much harder to come up the stairs with the bulging baskets. It was extra weight, after all, that had to be dragged up 400 steps. When we got to the top, Quasimodo gave us shoulder bags. Each one and we began to stow the provisions. Then we shouldered our bags and made our way downstairs. When we reached the end of the stairs, Brother Martin noticed us: "Oh, where are we going?" He asked.

"After Reims, sort out a few family matters," I replied and nodded goodbye. Jasmin and Quasimodo followed suit and then we set off.

I knew so vaguely that Reims was south of Paris, so we headed south. The navigation of our cell phones could not be relied on in this epoch, because Iowas like radio waves had not even been invented that could have enabled us to connect to the Internet. I did some research in our day and it would take about a day to walk to Reims. Quasimodo didn't go as fast as we did, which probably meant that it would take us almost 2 days. It was an unfamiliar picture, outside of Paris there was just pure nature. Meadows and trees wherever you looked. We kept passing farms or a castle that belonged to a feudal lord. At that time there was no fixed road leading to Rems and no street signs either. We had to ask around on the way so as not to get lost. When it got dark we looked for a place to stay and we passed a farm.

"I would say let's try our luck," I said and then knocked on the door. A man with dark blonde hair and a lanky figure opened it for me. His clothes looked more like a gypsy's.

"How can I help you? Oh!", The man exclaimed when he saw Quasimodo, "The bell ringer? Here? What does that mean?"

"You know Quasimodo?" I asked and considered. His appearance only allowed one conclusion: "Are you the poet?" I began and the man interrupted me.

"Indeed, I am Pierre Gringoire. You must have heard of me!" He said in a proud tone.

"More or less ..." I started. I knew that, along with Phoebus, Gringoire was one of the few main characters who had survived the story. He had been married to Esmeralda by Clopin and had embarked on Frollo's devious plan to get her out of Notre Dame. But on the run Esmeralda's goat Djali broke loose and Gringoire had followed the goat. Whereas Esmeralda was left with the creepy priest who had finally handed her over to the gallows because Esmeralda did not want to love him. Still lost in my thoughts, the goat stepped curiously to the door and bleated.

"Djali!", Jasmin and I said as if from the same mouth.

"I've never seen you before. Who are you anyway?" Asked Gringoire.

"I'm Regina and this is Jasmin. We want to go to Reims to find Quasimodo's family," I said.

"His family? That's a strange reason to travel ...", said Gringoire.

"However ... do we need a place for the night.", Said Jasmin.

"Oh! Of course! Not another word! Time young women shouldn't wander around in the dark. Come in. There will be room for you.", Gringoire said and let us in. First we warmed up by the fire, because in February it is still very cold, especially in the evening. Quasimodo, on the other hand, approached the goat, or the goat Quasimodo ... Whatever the case, he let him stroke and hug the goat without seeming to be afraid. Perhaps she remembered the bell ringer who wanted to save her and her mistress Esmeralda from death. Quasimodo sighed happily. I never thought I'd see him like that with Djali. Apparently he clung to everything that reminded him of the gypsy.

Gringoire handed us bread and cheese for dinner. He told us that by caring for the goat he had decided to run a farm. He had been employed by a farmer and was still studying. His masters were already asleep and obviously hadn't noticed our visit. he made his bed available to Jasmin and me. Quasimodo slept sitting on the floor leaning against the wall with Djali in his arms and Gringoire was lying on a bench.

The next morning we were woken up by a loud roar: "Why are there strangers here ?!"

It was the farmer who just grabbed the half-sleeping Gringoire by the neck.

"Forgive me, my lord!", I shouted and jumped out of bed, "We want to go to Reims, visit our family and we needed a place for the night. Sorry if we caused you inconvenience!"

The farmer speaks to me in silence for a moment. Then he looked at Jasmin, who was now standing behind me and then his eyes fell on Quasimodo.

"What kind of figment from hell is that?", The farmer cursed.

Quasimodo was still asleep. Because he's deaf, he didn't even hear the commotion. The farmer dropped Gringoire and then stormed towards Quasimodo.

"Stop! Don't!" I shouted, startled, and wanted to intervene when Quasimodo slowly raised his head. The goat, which had also been awakened by the farmer's roar, had freed itself from Quasimodo's embrace and crouched in the farthest corner.

Quasimodo saw the baker standing before him, a man like a bear. Quasimodo, however, was not impressed by it. He got up slowly. His eye sparkled angrily when the farmer turned away from him and tried to attack Regina. In Quasimodo there was suddenly this impulse not to allow that. He had to protect them from the farmer's anger and stormed towards the farmer. He threw the man to the ground with ease and punched him until he felt a firm grip on his arm, which was about to strike again.

He looked up and looked into Regina's frightened face. There were tears in her eyes. She shook her head and wanted to make it clear to him that they should go. Quasimodo growled. He didn't want to let this farmer get away with it, he wanted to attack a defenseless woman. But Regina pulled on his arm as hard as she could. Regina and Jasmin were women with Rubens figures and a little stronger than the normally built women. It was therefore possible for Regina to pull Quasimodo away from the farmer, even if it had taken a great deal of effort. Quasimodo let out a deep breath and then rose. He let Regina pull him out of the house. When they were a few meters away from the house, Pierre Gringoire was also thrown out of the house with the goat. He had some wounds and got up quite wobbly, while the goat had already run in front of the 3 travelers. She ran around them, bleating happily. Quasimodo's heart leaped for joy at the sight of the goat. She had been Esmeralda's faithful goat, after all. She had accompanied the gypsy everywhere and was the last living memory of her for him.

The poet staggered uncertainly towards her and scratched the back of his head, embarrassed: "That's it with the peasant life ..."

"We're really sorry," said Regina, hanging her head.

Quasimodo looked at her regretfully and said: "There is work everywhere."

Gringoire grinned and asked: "You don't mind if I accompany you?"

"No, not at all. The more the better.", Said Jasmin. Regina nodded to him and Quasimodo didn't really care. He just wanted to take care of the two women and get back to Paris as soon as possible. Everything else was of no concern to him. Gringoire took the goat's rope, which was hanging loosely around her neck in a noose, and then he followed them to Reims.