The Fires of Hell: Part Three

Esmeralda and Phoebus had talked and prayed all night long, through the better part of the day, and by the time evening rolled around the two were fast friends.

The gypsy shared tales from her past with the had-been Captain, about her time living in Paris and in the Court of Miracles with her cousin, Clopin, and all of her exploits before she had caught Frollo's eye. And in return Phoebus shared his story, from his childhood on to his time on the battlefield in Spain and England, as well as the port of Marseilles, where he had lead an armada against a fleet of common pirates fighting for their turf.

Esmeralda was enthralled by the tales he told, but noticed that when he spoke of his career as a soldier, that he was completely remorseful. There were many things that he wasn't proud of, and Phoebus seemed very eager to judge himself, once or twice he even broken down as he told of questionable things he had done in the name of 'Justice.'

"I doubt God will let me enter his kingdom," Phoebus had said after he had finished telling his tale. "But before I am confined to Hell, I would ask for the chance to beg the forgiveness of all those I have hurt. . . I have to make it right, somehow. . ."

"You already have," Esmeralda whispered gently. "By admitting that you were wrong and feeling regret for your actions, you have already taken the first step to forgiveness."

Phoebus had remained silent for a while before he had whispered back, "If only everyone was as kind as you, Esmeralda. My conscience would be clear."

The two had remained silent after that until they heard heavy footfalls walking toward them.

"It's time," Phoebus said solemnly, to which Esmeralda fought back tears.

"Phoebus," she called pressing her head against the wall frantically her voice rising with fear.

"I'm here," he reassured her. "I won't leave you."

"Thank you," Esmeralda said tearfully.

As the footsteps drew nearer, Esmeralda focused on Phoebus' words, branding them to her memory. Forcing herself to remember everything about his voice, so that when she made her final stand, she would be able to replay their time together.

"No matter what happens, keep your thoughts on your Someday, and know that you are loved. Mind nothing else."

"Do you love me, Phoebus?"

"Now that I have talked with you, I know no emotion other than love." The former Captain answered immediately, making Esmeralda's heart skip a beat.

"And I love you, my friend," the gypsy admitted. "You are an angel. . . God must have sent you to me in my darkest hour, knowing that I would need something to believe in, before my final judgement."

"I will meet you at God's feet," Phoebus promised. "And my spirit will be with you, even after death."

"Then I'm not afraid anymore." Esmeralda said, her conviction stronger than it had ever been. "I'm not afraid of anything, as long as you're with me."

A key clicked in the lock of Esmeralda's cell and the gypsy was blinded by the light of a torch as the guard entered her cell.

"Esmeralda," Phoebus called desperately through the wall, and the gypsy woman could hear the fear in his voice. But she lifted her chin and pushed back her tears

and misgivings. The guard came forward and clapped the shackles onto her wrists once more, and hauled her to her feet roughly.

Esmeralda walked out of the cell with as much dignity as she could muster, and just before the guard closed the door again, the woman whispered, one last Goodbye into the darkness.

Phoebus listened as she was taken away and cried freely as he once more melted into the shadows.

"God bless you . . . Esmeralda."

Frollo sat behind a large oak desk in his private quarters, signing death orders with a thin feather quill. There was always someone who warranted a public execution, but today was truly a special day.

Set aside from the other parchments, sat two execution orders that had yet to be graced with the Judge's signature. He had saved them for last on purpose.

And as Frollo finished the last order from his stack, he picked up one of the special two and read the name on the document. With a scowl of disgust, the judge wrote his name in a flourish and stamped his seal on the parchment, assuring the fate of the traitor, Phoebus. But on the second order, he hesitated. The gypsy Esmeralda's fate still rested in the balance. He would grant her one last chance to choose the path of the righteous, and if wretched witch rejected God's grace again, she would burn in the town square that very night.

After a few moments of serious thought and reflection, Frollo stood from his desk and crossed his chambers to the large door. He opened it silently and looked to the guard who was on duty, who stood several feet down the corridor.

"You there," Frollo snapped making the guard visibly flinch. "Bring me the gypsy girl, at once!"

The guard saluted and quickly ran to carry out his order.

Frollo re-entered his room and once more sat behind his desk, waiting for Esmeralda and for his final answer.

Phoebus laid on the bunk in his cell, his tears long since shed, as he waited for the inevitable. And soon enough, footsteps once more echoed in the dungeon halls. As the noise grew louder, the former Captain prepared himself. It was finally time from him to return back to his Maker, and he was thankful for it.

The man stood and faced the door, his face impassive and expressionless. And it was like this, upon opening the door, that the guard found Phoebus waiting for him.

"I'm ready," he said calmly to the guard that he had once called 'friend'.

And as the guard put on the chains, Phoebus noted that he was crying.

"I'm sorry, Captain," the guard apologized, sniffing slightly as he fought back his tears.

"Don't be," Phoebus said firmly. "You had nothing to do with this."

The guard shook his head sorrowfully and continued with his work. And once he was done, the man slowly led Phoebus out of his cell. As they walked down the bleak hallways, the guard looked over his shoulder and seeing that they were infact alone, leaned in so he could whisper in Phoebus' ear.

"Frollo means for you to watch Esmeralda burn." The man confided. "He knows that you cared for her, and he wants you to have a front row seat for her death."

Phoebus' jaw clenched and he nodded his head. "Thank you for warning me."

"Aye, sir." The guard said before he grew silent.

Phoebus steeled his spirit for the nightmare that awaited him and felt his anger flare dangerously. Frollo would pay for this. Even if it meant that he returned from the grave, Phoebus would have revenge for himself and for Esmeralda.

It took all of Esmeralda's willpower not to crumple on the floor from fatigue, but somehow she managed to stay upright. The woman focused on what Phoebus had said to her, and took strength from her hope. The woman made sure that she showed no fear, as Frollo stared at her with cold, unblinking eyes.

"Well, gypsy," the Judge said from his place behind his desk. "It has been a full week since I called you to repentance. Will you renounce your wicked ways and embrace the light?"

"I already have," Esmeralda said quietly, a small smile appearing on her chapped lips.

Frollo lifted an eyebrow in question, "Please divulge."

Esmeralda knew that she would pay dearly for what she was about to say, but found that she was beyond caring. Death awaited her at a moment's notice, and she wouldn't bow down to the likes of Frollo. Not after everything she had been through.

"I have been visited by an Angel," she began, causing Frollo to lean forward in his chair, curiosity written clearly on his face. "He bade me to remember something that I had forgotten. . . By embracing one simple truth, I have once more been made clean."

Frollo looked intrigued as he asked, "And what truth have you learned, my dear."

Esmeralda met his gaze head on as she answered, a somber smile covering her burnt and ragged face.

"That I will be judged by my actions, and my actions alone." Esmeralda said, bringing her shackled hands up to brush the hair out of her eyes. "I have been the best person I could possibly be, and if that is not enough for God, then I shall accept my fate and go to the Gates of Hell with my head held high."

Frollo instantly tensed and stood from his desk in one swift motion, his eyes shining furiously, "What?"

"I will only burn for my sins, Frollo." Esmeralda answered bravely. "Not for yours. You kill and harm in the name of God, and you falsely forgive your own sins as you push off your bile on others. I will die with a clear conscience knowing that I did not sin. It was you who raped me. Not the other way round."

Frollo shook from anger as he slowly approached the gypsy woman, his being radiating hatred. "How dare you! Gypsy whore!"

Esmeralda said nothing, but held her ground. The smile remained on her face and she stared at Frollo with unwavering green eyes. And it was in that moment that the first blow was struck, knocking the weakened woman to the ground. And when she made no sound, the Judge continued to kick and beat her without mercy, never once stopping his abuse. As he hit her over and over again, Frollo lost all control, letting his frustration and anger at being rejected fill him up. His entire being becoming a vessel for hate as he beat the woman to death.

Esmeralda fought to keep silent, but it soon became too much and she cried out. But the Judge was too far gone to care.

The gypsy felt her bones crack and break as the man continued his assault, and screamed in agony as her chest grew heavy, her lungs filling up to the point where she could no longer breathe. And then after more pain than she thought she could bare, Esmeralda slipped into darkness and felt no more.

Author's Note:

Two more chapters for this story. I have a rather grand ending plan, so stay tuned! Please review if you read! I need feedback!

~Lyn Harkeran