Chapter 66: The Understanding

Twelve years had passed since Judge Claude Frollo had reluctantly become a father. Twelve years to the day.

The anniversary of that life-changing event was Frollo's least favorite day of the year. But to Quasimodo, it was the best day.

Frollo had always considered this day to be Quasimodo's birthday, so he acted accordingly by bringing a gift to the boy each year. Although Frollo had never ceased to resent the fact that he was obligated to raise this child, he didn't want to make it any harder for himself than necessary. That meant he had to keep Quasimodo somewhat happy, since a happy child was easier to manage than an unhappy one.

So, as he always did on this day, Frollo travelled up the stairs of the belltower with a gift in hand, murmuring a few complaints to himself.

This year's gift was expensive. Too expensive for a deformed boy, really. Frollo second-guessed his choice, but that was off his mind when he made it to the top of the stairs.

Quasimodo was nowhere in sight. Frollo started to walk around, calling his name, but found nothing. He looked to the window and gazed at the falling snow. The weather was just as it had been twelve years ago on this day, bitterly cold. What if Quasimodo was outside in the snow?

Frollo found himself worrying at the thought. He raced to the outer structure and looked around frantically, even climbing to the roof. It was there that he saw a terrifying sight. The young Quasimodo lay motionless in the cold, a layer of snow starting to cover him.

In an unexpected panic, Frollo rushed to the boy and pulled him up, quickly carrying him back indoors. To his horror, Quasimodo was frozen to the touch. Frollo worked quickly to warm him up, wrapping several blankets around the child and pulling him onto his lap while he sat against the wall, holding him tightly to transfer heat.

Quasimodo started to shiver and opened his eyes.

"Master..." He muttered.

Frollo sighed in relief, then scowled.

"Stupid boy!" He insulted. "What were you doing out there?!"

"I... I just wanted to see the snow... But I slipped on some ice."

"You should have been more careful! You could have frozen to death if I hadn't found you!"

Quasimodo flinched when he was yelled at. Frollo sighed.

"Don't look at me like that." The judge scoffed. "You know I'm not going to hit you. I keep my promises, don't I?"

"...Yes, Master." Quasimodo said softly.

"I'm glad we're on the same page. Just don't be so reckless. You had me extremely worried!"

"I'm sorry, Master..."

Quasimodo looked more upset than he'd ever been on his birthday. It was mildly frustrating to Frollo. He grabbed the boy's jaw and looked at him sternly.

"I say these things to keep you safe." Frollo reminded. "You obey me because I am the one who protects you. Remember that."

"Yes, Master..." Quasimodo said weakly.

"On that note, happy birthday."

Frollo handed the wooden case he'd been carrying to the boy. Quasimodo took it and opened it, revealing a new set of carving tools. They were beautiful. The craftsmanship was remarkable. Quasimodo grinned at the shiny iron.

"Thank you, Master." He said happily.

Frollo suddenly realized that something was wrong. He remembered how he'd panicked when he'd found Quasimodo in the snow. That wasn't like him. He didn't normally worry about anyone.

He reasoned that it was merely the fear of God, that he'd only been concerned about failing to meet his moral obligation of caring for the child he'd orphaned.

But there was something else that Frollo didn't know how to explain: The fact that some part of him liked seeing Quasimodo smile.

Quasimodo put the flowers on the bedside table. Esmeralda smiled at the colorful sight.

"Those are beautiful." She remarked.

"It was Elaine's idea!" Quasimodo shared. "We went into the woods and picked these for you. We hoped it would raise your spirits."

"Thank you so much. That was very sweet of you both."

"Of course! Anything to help you feel better!"

"Give my thanks to Elaine too."

"I will!"

They chatted for a while. Quasimodo filled Esmeralda in on recent events that she'd missed, like his experience at dinner with the church workers and his visit to his parents' grave. He also had much to say about the time he spent with Elaine, which Esmeralda was happy to hear about.

After listening to Quasimodo's stories, Esmeralda started to suspect that Elaine's interest in him was greater than he realized. But she didn't inform Quasimodo of this speculation, thinking it would be better for him to find out on his own. Still, it was very pleasant to think Quasimodo might have a love interest.

He eventually had to leave, having chores to do back in the belltower. But it pained Quasimodo to leave Esmeralda while she was injured.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" He asked.

Esmeralda thought of the earlier awkwardness of that morning.

"Did you get to talk to Claude yet?" She asked.

"Uh... No." Quasimodo replied.

"You should. He has something to say to you."

"...Alright. I will."

Quasimodo started toward the door, but Esmeralda stopped him.

"Quasimodo," She interrupted.

The bell ringer stopped and eyed her curiously.

"I just wanted to say I'm really glad to have you back." Esmeralda shared. "I missed you."

Quasimodo smiled.

"I missed you too."

Claude unwrapped the leather-bound item to look at it. He planned to give it to Esmeralda tonight, although he now wished he'd given it to her sooner.

"What is that?"

Claude looked up and saw Quasimodo approaching from the corridor.

"It's for Esmeralda." He replied. "Something to brighten her day."

Quasimodo came closer and looked at what Claude was holding.

"Wow!" He commented. "That's pretty amazing."

"Do you think she'll like it?" Claude asked.

"Definitely." Quasimodo replied.

Satisfied, Claude wrapped up the item and placed it in his pocket. He then made awkward eye contact with Quasimodo, who looked somewhat nervous in his presence.

"I wanted to apologize for being so rude earlier." Claude sighed. "You didn't deserve it."

"What was that about?" Quasimodo asked.

"There is something my career has made difficult." Claude started. "When you live a life of power and control, as I have, you become very attached to the respect you are given. That is especially true when your role is to protect. You become afraid of letting anyone see you in a state where you have no power, lest they no longer think you're an adequate protector. Lest they come to pity you instead of respecting you."

Quasimodo immediately understood. His discomfort was replaced with compassion.

"That's not how I feel!" He insisted. "Honest!"

"I believe you." Claude assured. "However, I'm having a very hard time accepting the reality of the matter. Ask Esmeralda and she'll tell you how chronically ashamed I am."

"But... There's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I'm still trying to convince myself of that."

Quasimodo was saddened by the realization of Claude's struggle. It wasn't right that anyone should feel ashamed of cruel things that were done to them.

"Is there any way I can help?" Quasimodo asked hopefully.

Claude hesitated.

"Answer me honestly." He said eventually. "Why have you forgiven me so easily?"

Quasimodo was confused at first, but soon realized the implication of the question.

"It's not because I pity you." He insisted. "It's because I understand you. Before I couldn't fathom why you were so bad for so long. I thought that was just your nature, that you were just senselessly evil. But I know better now. Now I know you became that way because you were scared. Knowing that, and knowing how hard you've been working to make things right, I forgive you."

Claude was amazed, both that pity wasn't the reason for Quasimodo's forgiveness, and that it was even possible for him to be forgiven after twenty years of wrongdoings. Quasimodo was extremely kind. Kinder than he'd ever been taught to be.

"And you know what else?" Quasimodo asked. "I respect you. More than ever."

Claude hadn't realized how much he'd needed to hear that. He finally managed a smile.

"My dear boy," Claude started. "How did I ever manage to raise someone with a heart like yours?"

"You have a heart too." Quasimodo insisted. "Even when you were bad, you had a heart. Remember that time when I was knocked out in the snow and you carried me inside? And that time when you apologized after you hit me? And you saved Elaine! You've always had good in you."

Claude was suddenly hit with flashbacks. He remembered finding Quasimodo in the snow and panicking. He hadn't known why he was so worried at the time. Nor had he known what compelled him to save Elaine. And when he thought of the time when he'd hit Quasimodo and apologized, he remembered that his parents never would have apologized like that.

He hadn't understood those actions before. They'd seemed so contrary to his nature, but the truth was the opposite. Being good was his nature, and his nature had remained in pieces even when he was a monster.

"Are you okay?" Quasimodo asked.

Claude realized he'd gone silent in the moment.

"I'm fine." Claude assured. "I've just had... A moment of clarity."

"Oh. Is that... A good thing?"

"Yes. Very good."

Quasimodo smiled.

"Can I hug you again?" He asked.

"Please do." Claude encouraged.

They hugged for the fourth time ever, with a warmth that said there would be many more times to come.

"You're a good man, Quasimodo." Claude said sincerely. "I'm sorry your parents aren't around to see that."

"I wish I knew them." Quasimodo said sadly. "But I'm glad I have you."

Claude's heart warmed in the saddest way possible. He made a mental note to visit that grave by the river. It felt necessary to pay his respects.

He suddenly wondered what Quasimodo's parents would have named him. They certainly wouldn't have named him so harshly.

"I'd like to know," Claude started after letting go of Quasimodo. "How do you feel about your name?"

Quasimodo looked surprised.

"I like it." He replied. "Why?"

"I was awfully cruel when I gave it to you." Claude said apologetically. "You're not half-formed, and I shouldn't have thought of you as such."

"The meaning doesn't bother me." Quasimodo assured. "It's my name, and I like it."

Claude smiled.

"I should go now." Quasimodo informed. "The bells need cleaning."

"Very well." Claude accepted. "Come again anytime. You'll always be welcome here."

Quasimodo nodded gladly before starting away toward the front door.

"One more thing," Claude called.

The bell ringer looked back at him curiously.

"If you talk to Elaine," Claude started. "You're allowed to share what I've told you."

Claude was reluctant to say that, but he thought it was for the best. Elaine deserved an explanation too. And despite his struggle to believe so, he knew that she wouldn't think of him differently. She'd already proven that nothing could change her view of him.

Quasimodo was surprised, but he nodded in understanding.

Elaine was visibly sad as she went about her usual duties. Jean was starting to worry. It wasn't like his niece to be in such a poor mood, so he had to wonder what circumstances had resulted in this. Recently there had been a few moments like this, where Elaine seemed less happy than usual. But they hadn't lasted, so Jean hadn't intruded on the reasons. He'd assumed they related to Quasimodo's problems.

But now, Elaine seemed to be dwelling on something. Jean finally took her aside to ask.

"What ever is troubling you, my dear?" He questioned caringly.

"Nothing, Uncle." Elaine replied sadly.

"There must be something wrong." Jean assumed.

He wondered if this was related to Esmeralda's injury, which had surely been the most awful event in recent weeks. Jean hadn't thought that would be the problem, since the message he'd received from Claude reported that Esmeralda was recovering. But perhaps he didn't know everything about the situation. Elaine had been to the Palace of Justice earlier, so this seemed like the most likely reason for her mood.

"Is Esmeralda alright?" Jean asked. "I know you were upset about that."

"She's going to be fine." Elaine replied. "I do feel sorry for her, but that's not bothering me too much."

"Is something wrong with Quasimodo?" Jean inquired. "Have you gotten into a fight with him?"

"No, not at all! We're getting along as well as ever..."

"I only ask because I'm worried. You're not normally this sullen."

Elaine didn't want to share what was upsetting her because she felt guilty for it. The truth was that it saddened her when Quasimodo went off to see Esmeralda. It shouldn't have. She should have been glad that he was on good terms with his friend again. But Elaine knew how Quasimodo felt about Esmeralda. He felt the way she wished he would feel about her...

"You know you can tell me anything." Jean reminded. "I'm a priest. Listening is my job."

Jean certainly was a good listener. Elaine knew that.

Maybe telling someone would be helpful. Elaine was growing tired of keeping this to herself.

"I think I'm in love." She shared. "With Quasimodo."

Jean was more surprised than he should have been.

"Really?" He asked. "Well, that's nothing you need to hide! Quasimodo is a fine young man. I wouldn't mind at all if the two of you got together."

"We can't." Elaine informed. "I'm not the one he wants. Esmeralda is..."

Jean realized the problem was worse than he'd expected. He could have dealt with a fight, but a heartbreak was something else. Being celibate, Jean probably wasn't the best person to give advice on something like this. But for Elaine's sake, he would have to try.

"Oh, Elaine... I'm sorry."

Elaine stared down at the floor.

"Would you like to tell me more?" Jean asked. "Perhaps I can help."

Elaine doubted that anyone could help, but she was willing to take any support she could get.

"Okay, Uncle." She nodded.