| Only in Past Memories by Sailor Esmeralda Chapter 6 Three more years had gone by, and because of the threat Frollo had, Phoebus and Esmeralda saw less and less of each other - at least when the adults were around. They had been sneaking out at night to meet each other. This was one of those nights. They met in their secret spot, next to the river in a grave of Trees. Esmeralda was there first, and waiting for Phoebus to come. �Where is he?� She paced on the bank of the river, when she heard a snap of a twig. �Mars? Is that you?� �Yes.� Phoebus stepped out of the trees and walked over to her. �I�m so glad you made it! I have so much to tell you!� Esmeralda took his hand and pulled him along. �Essie, slow down, why the rush?� �I have something to show you.� She led him along the bank to a remote spot with a small shack. �What is that?� Phoebus asked when she brought him closer. �You�ll see!� She opened the door to the shack and pulled him in. Inside was a small cot, a couple of chairs, and a small table with a basket on top. �Surprise! A midnight picnic!� Phoebus sighed and took hold of her hand. �Esmeralda, you are too much. But where did you get the food?� �I saved up for about a month! Now let�s dig in!� So the two began to feast on bread, Brie, some apples and fresh water. For dessert, Esmeralda had asked Athena to make an apple pie. Once their tummies were full, they sat on the floor next to the fire Phoebus had built. Esmeralda brushed the crumbs off her skirt and turned to Phoebus. �Mars, what was it that you wanted to tell me?� Phoebus went white as a ghost. �Oh, it was nothing! Don�t worry about it!� He fumbled over his words. Esmeralda knew he was lying. �You�re so nervous. Why can�t you just tell me?� Phoebus shyly looked away, tears starting to swell in his bright blue eyes. �Have you ever wondered why God put you on earth?� Esmeralda stared at him in disbelief. �What do you mean?� �I mean, have you questioned why bad things happen to you? I always ask that of myself. So many things have gone wrong in my life: it�s hard not question the reasons why.� �But you live with a rich family; you�re well taken care of and provided for. You even finished your lesson for life this year! You are the head of the scholars!� �It�s just not that Essie.� �And you have me for a friend!� �Well I am very thankful for that, which why this will be so difficult.� �What will be?� Phoebus sighed and looked deeply into the fire. For some time, he only stared at the flames as they danced in a circle, filling up his eyes with what seemed the very rage that had never been called upon before. Finally, Phoebus spoke. �I am leaving forever.� �What!?� �You heard me. I am never coming back. I never want to see Paris, or France for that matter, ever again.� �But what about our friendship! Would you just leave at the drop at a hat!?� �Essie, trust me. This is difficult for me too. I never even thought of leaving you, but I just can�t take it anymore!� Tears ran in rivers down his soft cheeks. �I just can�t take the taunting, the threats, even my father. Everyone wants me to be a great man, a stupid man, whose goal in life is to make money and offspring and die rich! But I don�t want that! I can�t follow the crowd! I don�t want to be average! And it scares people. Do you know how many times I�ve been called a devil child with dark gifts? Just because I can read and write and I know math! I just take it anymore! So I am leaving it all behind. I am just going to run away: it�s the only thing I can do to make it better. And I am sorry that it means leaving the only friend I have. You�ll be okay on your own: you�re a gypsy. You have the means to survive and prosper! As for me, I have given up that fight.� For a long time Esmeralda said nothing, not allowing tears to come through no matter how badly she wanted to cry. �Where will you go?� �The one place my father forbids. The army.� �Oh, well I hope you have nice life!� Esmeralda got up and ran full speed out the door, leaving Phoebus to his tears and regrets. When morning hit, Phoebus left Paris with his young horse Achilles. Esmeralda lay in her bed, the tears never coming, but crushed to the point of being numb. Little did either know, they would later meet up and pick up their relationship once more, and have it bud into something more� The End Back to Fanfic Back to Index |