Chapter 2: The Wedding
The archdeacon was about to scold Frollo when he came to the cathedral with Esmeralda, but he soon realized that no arrest was happening. Rather, the judge had come with the intention of marrying the poor girl. Esmeralda, now clothed in a light green dress which did not suit her, was fearfully awaiting her fate. Frollo left his unwilling bride in the company of the archdeacon while he went to make a quick prayer. Esmeralda immediately sought help from the holy man.
"You have to help me!" She begged.
"My dear," The archdeacon said sadly. "I'm deeply sorry for the situation you are in. But if I don't marry the two of you, Lord knows Frollo will find someone else to."
"There must be something you can do." Esmeralda suggested. "Anything!"
The holy man struggled. What was there to do with a man like Frollo? A man who accepted no criticism of his actions, cared for no one, respected no one... No, there was an ounce of respect in him. Though minimal, Frollo did have some reverence for Notre Dame. He'd kept a child he hadn't wanted because of it, and recently had abandoned his pursuit of Esmeralda because she'd taken sanctuary here. Perhaps it would work, or perhaps not. But if there was a way to help Esmeralda, Notre Dame had to be used against Frollo.
Before the archdeacon could tell Esmeralda what he was thinking, Frollo returned from his prayer. He was relieved, believing that he'd said everything he needed to say.
"My God," He had prayed. "Tonight I will finally marry. What I do with the gypsy henceforth shall be pure. Forgive me for what I did to gain her. She caused me to sin. But I will sin no longer, so please bless my marriage. Make this experience excellent."
Satisfied, Frollo prepared himself to receive the blessing.
"I am ready for my wedding, archdeacon." The judge said menacingly.
The archdeacon replied with a contemptuous nod. He officiated the wedding with disdain. The whole time, Esmeralda was miserable. She lost some tears to the occasion, being married to the man of her nightmares. She longed for Phoebus, but even he couldn't help her now. Frollo, on the other hand, was quite satisfied with the proceedings. A grin spread across his face when he said "I do". Esmeralda only repeated the words out of fear of the consequences. Frollo's earlier threat still disturbed her, as did the thought of Quasimodo in the belltower above. She could not forgive herself if Frollo was to march up there and harm her friend.
"Congratulations on your marriage." The archdeacon said artificially. "Before you go to consummate it, I should remind you what scripture says on marital love. First Corinthians seven, verse four: 'The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.'"
Esmeralda gasped. the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife...
Frollo scowled as he realized the implication.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Perhaps you should ask God that question." The archdeacon suggested.
"You're telling me that my wife can-"
"You have vowed a holy marriage." The archdeacon reminded. "Surely you will not go back on a vow you made in the house of God."
Frollo, though silent, was livid. But Esmeralda saw an opportunity.
Frollo did not speak to his bride for hours. After returning to the Palace of Justice, Frollo dragged Esmeralda to the bedroom where he sat her down on the bed before beginning to pace the room furiously. Esmeralda pondered the opportunity before her. She had as much right to her husband as he had to her. Perhaps she would be more than a helpless victim.
She'd been wanting intimacy. Not with Frollo of course, but what other option did she have? Phoebus was gone, and she would surely never see him again. And even if another man showed up, Frollo clearly had no intention of letting Esmeralda out of his sight for long. She despised him, but perhaps there was something to gain. If he wanted to use her, he would have to be used too. If Frollo was the only man Esmeralda was able to have, she would have him her way.
"Why don't we talk about this?" She suddenly suggested.
Frollo stopped mid-pace. He glared at the girl vengefully.
"Listen, gypsy!" He thundered. "Don't get any ideas about-"
"You can have me." Esmeralda interrupted. "But not however you want. If you want something out of me, I want something out of you."
"Why should I care what you want?!"
"You heard the archdeacon. Besides, it won't be very enjoyable for you otherwise."
"I'll make it enjoyable, then!"
"Is that how you want to spend your wedding night?"
As angry as he was, Frollo did not want to spend his wedding night fighting. He wanted to give his body what it so badly desired, but having to fight for it would put an unnecessary strain on him. Esmeralda was a fighter, he knew that. The effort it would take to beat her into submission was not one he wanted to make. Besides, what reason did he have to complain? She was OFFERING herself to him! It would be foolish to make this difficult when she was willing to do it. Even if she would have expectations, they couldn't be so bad, Frollo decided.
"...Very well." The judge submitted.
The offer was worth accepting. And, though Frollo didn't want to admit it, a part of him feared God. Disobeying what the archdeacon had told him would make that fear worse. Frollo had to feel righteous so that he wouldn't feel afraid. Since this morning, he'd been more afraid than usual.
Afraid of being burned...
"NO!" A young Claude Frollo screamed. "STOP!"
"This is the fruit of your lust!" A guilting voice yelled. "SUFFER IT!"
The flames were brutal. The scarring even worse...
Frollo felt a pain in his chest, as if the fire had started again...