| The Two Rivals By Sonja Chapter 4 Ad�le and Christine hastened to the Court of Miracles. Ad�le told Clopin that Zephyr had disappeared. "I�m quite sure Sarousch is guilty," she said. "Madellaine said she was ready to help us to find him." Then she smiled mischievously. "I have a plan!" She went to talk to her friends: "This is incredible! Quasi surely has some special intentions towards Madellaine�He looked at her in such a strange way when she was in jail�" "That can�t be possible," Sarita�s daughter exclaimed, "we need to try talking to him�unless he is in love with her." "He confided in me in the morning, and I think it�s something other than love," said Ad�le. "I should be delighted, but I know she will be shocked�" Then she revealed her plan to the girls and gave them some advice. Meanwhile, Djali, who had fled before Sarousch�s henchmen, was leading Phoebus, Esmeralda, Quasimodo and Madellaine through the underground tunnels. Madellaine was frightened, for she had seen the catacombs were full of skulls and skeletons, not to mention spiders. After some time of searching, the four saw Sarousch�s boat on the river, and in the boat there was a huge, covered object - it could be nothing else but La Fid�le. "SAROUSCH!" shouted Phoebus, and his soldiers grouped themselves on both sides of the river. The ringmaster grimaced: "Bon jour, Capitaine!" Phoebus shouted furiously: "Surrender now!" He released the gate that blocked the river. "You have no way out!" Sarousch lifted his hand, and everyone saw he was holding Zephyr by the collar. "Oh, really? I see things a bit differently!" Quasimodo was startled, as the little boy shouted with fright: "Mama! Papa!" "LET HIM GO!!!" shouted Phoebus, but the ringmaster just laughed mockingly. All the soldiers drew their swords, and Sarousch urged the Captain to let him pass. "So you may see your precious little boy again," he grimaced. Quasimodo began to shudder. The very same man had taken his beloved little Christine, and now, he was holding Zephyr as his prisoner! He was just about to plunge to save the boy, when Madellaine whispered to him in panic: "Quasimodo, he means it! He�ll hurt Zephyr! But I know how we can save him. Please, untie me!" The bellringer glanced angrily at the girl. She wasn�t worth of his affection, just like Ad�le had said�He made himself to turn away from Madellaine, snapping: "Why? So you can escape with Sarousch?" Right then, the ringmaster said: "Don�t test me, Captain!" Zephyr called desperately for his father. Esmeralda grasped Phoebus�s arm, and the Captain hesitated for a while, until finally he agreed to open the gate. As the boat started to make its way out, Madellaine tried to appeal to her beloved: "Quasi, listen to me. I know I hurt you. I�m sorry. But I am someone you can trust." "How can I? I�ve already made that mistake." Quasimodo thought he would start crying. "He stole my child as well - and that wouldn�t have happened had we not trusted you!" Thank God, Christine was safe by Ad�le! "Quasimodo, there�s more to me!" Madellaine exclaimed, looking in the young man�s eyes in a loving way. He answered her gaze, and suddenly, he was sure he did feel more for her than passion�At least, he couldn�t doubt the girl�s love. So, he untied her, and she led him under a tunnel that ended on the other side of the river. Zephyr desperately cried out to his parents, and they inconsolably embraced each other. Fortunately, however, Quasi was just lassoing a rope across the river for Madellaine to walk on it. The girl began her risky trail with her heart beating loudly. Once she was very near losing her balance, but then she turned to look at the bellringer who smiled at her with encouragement. The boat started to pass under the rope, and Madellaine flipped over to quickly grab Zephyr from Sarousch�s arms. "WHAT! What are you doing here?!" yelled the ringmaster as he saw his assistant above. Madellaine smiled triumphantly. "Just standing here looking pretty!" Quasimodo laughed. Madellaine carried the little boy all the way along the tight-rope, jumped down and gave him to Esmeralda. As Zephyr happily hugged his parents, the guards plunged in Sarousch�s boat, arrested him and threw him in a wagon. Sarousch yelled angrily at them. Esmeralda hugged Madellaine. "Thank you so much! I dare not even think what could have happened to Zephyr without you!" "I apologise for my suspicions," said Phoebus, "namely, the truth is that Sarousch misled me to think you were guilty of the thefts in the city." "I understand," answered Madellaine, "he betrayed me as well." "Madellaine," said Quasimodo, putting his arms round the girl, "the festival is tomorrow�" Madellaine�s face darkened. "Quasi, I would love to join you there, but what will Ad�le think about that?" Quasi was embarrassed. "You saved Zephyr�s life and brought Christine back. That�s why I want you for my partner at the festival." Madellaine blushed and started to shudder. "You love me?" she whispered. "I hoped�" Instead of responding, Quasimodo folded her passionately in his arms. Madellaine smiled more happily than ever, but Esmeralda and Phoebus looked at each other, worried. They knew Ad�le would never forgive Quasimodo if he betrayed her. After a moment�s silence, Phoebus remarked: "We�d best go back." All five returned to the catacombs. When they were approaching the stairs leading to the entrance of the Court of Miracles, everything around them went dark, and a crowd of disguised vagabonds attacked them. Esmeralda exclaimed: "What on earth�?" for her friends had never before done this to her. Phoebus did his best to calm the attackers, but Quasimodo noticed a familiar face among them - Ad�le�s. He plunged angrily in the middle of the crowd. "Ad�le, you scoundrel! I know you are responsible for this! I tell you that without Madellaine, Sarousch would have kidnapped Zephyr today, but she risked her own life to rescue him! So, you�d better tell the Gypsies to let us go!" But the vagabonds were already dragging Madellaine towards the gallows. Little Christine ran forth out of the crowd, put her arms round the captive�s feet and pleaded: "No, you mustn�t hang Madellaine! She was so kind to me!" Esmeralda appealed to Clopin and told him how Madellaine had saved Zephyr with the help of the tight-rope. Phoebus also praised Madellaine�s courage. To crown the lot, even Zephyr rushed to hug her. The vagabonds were impressed, and many of them suggested for the girl to be released. Finally, Clopin admitted: "It is true it wasn�t my idea to capture you. I agree with you both Christine and Zephyr may thank Madellaine for getting back to their families." Madellaine was free. She embraced Quasimodo and convinced her gratitude to the Captain and the dancer. Ad�le, instead, grumbled angrily: "You and your precious Madellaine! I swear I will tell her the truth about your feelings!" The bellringer saw she was agitated, and he asked both women to he and Ad�le�s dwelling. There he said as peacefully as he could: "Ad�le, I asked Madellaine for my partner at the feast." Ad�le turned pale. It took a while before she was able to speak. "So�you have decided to choose her?" It was hard work for her not to start crying. "Ad�le, Madellaine is in love with me. Besides, I want to show her my gratitude for taking care of Christine and saving Zephyr." "Gratitude!" exclaimed Madellaine, "you don�t need to take me as your partner only because of gratitude!" Quasimodo answered her with a gaze that made her blush and quiver. Even Ad�le was startled, but then she felt triumphant. She knows! She was so abated that she was able to address her rival even gently. "All right, you can participate in the Day of Love with him - but you shouldn�t expect too much." Then she stepped out. "Quasi�What did she mean by that? What shouldn�t I expect?" asked Madellaine. Quasimodo was ashamed. He should tell Madellaine the truth about his feelings - but was he falling in love with her or not? He remembered how his relationship with Ad�le had begun�Maybe the same would happen to him and Madellaine! "Madellaine," he started a bit hesitatingly, "do you have any experience of men?" "Men?" Madellaine was amazed. "There are some men among our company, but they have always treated me more or less like a child." The bellringer patted her. "Are there any lovers among Sarousch�s company?" "Yes, some men and women live together in their caravans. Some of them even had children." "Children? Did they play with Christine?" "No, unfortunately, they refused to be with her," Madellaine sighed, "that�s why she is so lucky to be here with her family." "She will never more have anything to do with Sarousch," the bellringer said determinedly. "Did some of the women in your company tell you about men and women and - ahem - what happens before children are born?" Quasi blushed in embarrassment and turned away. "Quasi! Why do you ask a thing like that?" Madellaine giggled nervously. "Some of the women did tell me, and sometimes when we were travelling I saw women who�" She blushed. "I know. There are such women here as well - but none of the Gypsies provides for herself that way," said the young man. "Sometimes Sarousch said to me I could have become one of them had he not taken me into his care," sighed Madellaine. "That�s horrible!" Once again, Quasimodo happened to think about his upbringing. "But let�s not talk about him. What do you think about those things yourself?" "I hoped I would someday find a man who would care for me�but I never thought much about�sleeping with someone." The bellringer hesitated. "Madellaine�would you like to�start an affair with me?" Madellaine was startled. She looked at Quasimodo in astonishment, blushed, lowered her head and looked at him again. "But you have Ad�le!" "Ad�le and I are not actually together any more." Madellaine was delighted, but she didn�t want to reveal her thoughts. "Despite that, Ad�le is Christine�s mother, and no doubt, she still loves you. Besides, like I said, I�m totally inexperienced about men." "Madellaine, I find you very attractive", said Quasi, smiling a little. "Thank you�but do you really love me?" The young man blushed. What should he say? To be honest, he didn�t know whether he felt love towards this girl - maybe he could love her in the future, but�He remembered how Ad�le had made him forget his disappointment in Esmeralda - and they had started their relationship by spending a night together� Ad�le - Christine�s mother - was she not more? Hadn�t they experienced many happy events, as well as trouble and sadness together? Indeed, it was understandable Ad�le was angry with him aspiring after Madellaine�particularly since Madellaine knew nothing about his past in isolation�but still, he did have a crush on Madellaine. He looked at her, irresolutely. Madellaine noticed his hesitation. "Quasimodo", she said, "I can�t start an affair unless I�m quite sure of that you love me. I don�t want to love a man who has some other woman. Besides, I�m not going to return to Sarousch�s company - if you want to live with me I can join your community, but if you regard me only as your mistress I�m never going to be accepted by your friends - and in that case, what will I become? A miserable, despised street girl!" Quasimodo was touched by these words. "I�m sorry," he said, "I�ve done you injustice with my thoughts. I assure you I don�t want anyone to despise you. I do like and admire you a lot. I really would like to go to the feast with you - after that, I�ll do my best in making the choice between you and Ad�le�I know tomorrow is going to be a hard day for her." Next morning, there was joy in the whole city, for everyone had been looking forward to the Festival of Love. The Gypsies, instead, were confused: Ad�le was surprisingly calm. Most of her friends were very angry with Quasimodo about taking an interest in Madellaine, and they couldn�t really believe he would declare love for her that day. So, they were amazed to see those two stand on the balcony of Notre Dame accompanied by Zephyr and Djali. Ad�le stood in the square among the unmarried women, hand in hand with Christine. Her feelings were contradictory. Would Quasi have enough courage to tell Madellaine on this very day that he actually loved her, Ad�le? Or had he promised something to her? And did she already know his interest in her was physical? Clopin was worried. He looked at Ad�le and Christine, then at Quasi and Madellaine at the balcony. Obviously, Quasimodo had decided to start a new affair with the circus assistant. Clopin himself had dated several women after Charlotte�s death, but as long as she had been alive he hadn�t even intended to be unfaithful. So, he was disappointed in the bellringer�s behaviour. On the other hand, he didn�t have anything against Madellaine. So, he urged all couples to proclaim their love for all the city. Quasi rang La Fid�le, and one name after another was shouted for everybody to hear and cheer. When it was Esmeralda and Phoebus�s turn, the Captain admitted: "I was wrong, about all of it." Esmeralda grimaced: "I know." "There�s only one thing I can say," continued Phoebus, folded the dancer in his arms and shouted: "I LOVE ESMERALDA!" She answered: "I LOVE PHOEBUS!" and they kissed passionately. At the same time, a pretty brown mare was joining Achilles, and they ran away together. Up in the balcony, Hugo was giving Djali a red tulip to eat. Quasi and Madellaine were looking each other in the eyes. At the moment, the girl didn�t think about what the bellringer had talked to her the previous evening - she was absolutely sure he did love her - and Quasimodo, in turn, saw nothing but her. "Quasimodo, you�ve showed me the world is full of miracles." Madellaine was happier than ever. The young man smiled. "Just ordinary miracles - they happen every day." Zephyr sneered at their cuddling, and both of them laughed a little. The gargoyles, in turn, cried for joy for their friend. Madellaine assured them she would take good care of Quasi. Ad�le looked up at them with her heart beating loudly. The next words uttered by the bellringer would bring her triumph or despair. Quasimodo was irresolute. If he proclaimed love for Madellaine for all the city he would insolently betray Ad�le - for he had never said to her he didn�t love her anymore - but it was the Festival of Love, not of passion, so he couldn't possibly yell "I have a desire for Madellaine" or something like that. Irresolutely, he took Madellaine in his arms, and right then, Zephyr grasped the rope of the bell, so the moment had come. The young man thought about Madellaine�s feelings - he couldn�t cause her a disappointment on this very day. He shouted: "I LOVE MADELLAINE!!!" "AND I LOVE QUASIMODO!!!" yelled the girl in turn - he knew she meant it. Ad�le burst into bitter tears. How could this have happened? Her beloved little Quasi had betrayed and humiliated her in front of all the townspeople! She snatched Christine in her arms and rushed away; she couldn�t bear looking at those two embrace and kiss each other after all she had given the bellringer - her deep and endless love, her confidence, her support, and above all, a child! Quasimodo heard her sob desperately, and he felt he could die for shame. What had he done? In a moment, he detached his hold of Madellaine and plunged down the tower steps. He had to overtake Ad�le and explain her he had used the word "love" only for consideration towards Madellaine. "Where are you going? What is it, dear?" Madellaine exclaimed, hastening after him. "I shouldn�t have done this to Ad�le," said the young man, "I must have a word with her." "But she knows you love me now - don�t you have the right to make your own choices?" "Madellaine, I really need to talk to her now - I�ll come back as soon as I can." Quasimodo dashed down the steps and out of the door. Meanwhile, Ad�le and Christine had returned to the Court of Miracles. Ad�le cried all the time. "Quasimodo�my Quasimodo�" She ran to her dwelling and threw herself on the bed. She hadn�t felt like this since Charlotte and Clopin had told her they had been obliged to leave little Quasi to the belltower or since Christine had been stolen. A while later, the bellringer arrived at the Court and said to Clopin: "I need to have a word with Ad�le." Clopin was angry. "Go to your Madellaine and leave my daughter alone!" "Clopin, let me go to her - she misunderstood me, and I need to explain her�" "Ad�le doesn�t need you! For the last two days, you have behaved towards her like a miserable scoundrel! Now, you�d best concentrate on taking care of your new love." "Clopin, my own daughter is with Ad�le, and I do have the right to see her!" Quasi couldn�t tell the Gypsy leader the truth. "Yes, you do, but not now," said Clopin, "you made Ad�le unhappy, and you will wait till she is ready to talk to you." Quasimodo didn�t listen to him but hastened to Ad�le�s dwelling. Clopin ran after him. "You won�t go there!" Ad�le turned to look at the door, and Christine rushed to her father. "Go away!" Ad�le shouted. "After all these years, all my love, support and confidence, after us suffering and grieving together, you tell the WHOLE CITY you love another!!!" "Clopin, could you please go away? I�ll need to say something that�s not suitable for you to hear." Quasi did his best to keep calm. Clopin agreed reluctantly. After he had closed the door Quasimodo put his arms round Ad�le. "Please, forgive me�I�ve been doing you wrong," he said. "The truth is that I don�t love Madellaine - at least the same way I love you�but I had to use the word at the feast, because she is in love with me." Ad�le felt confused. "I didn�t know it was this difficult for you to decide whom you love!" "I do care for Madellaine," said the young man, "she said to me yesterday that she is not going to return to Sarousch, so I should take care of her. She would like to join our community." "Do you still aspire after her?" Quasimodo flushed. "I would lie if I said I don�t. But when you started to cry I realised I can�t feel for her the same way as for you. After all, it was you whom I missed in the morning before she came to bring Christine back." Ad�le hugged him. "I forgive you! But think carefully, little Quasi: how could you possibly start an affair with someone who doesn�t know about your guardian, your isolation or not even what your name means?" "Ad�le, I�m seriously warning you!" Quasi glanced restlessly at Christine. "If you ever utter that word in Christine�s presence you may bitterly repent that!" "Quasi, it�s not Christine but Madellaine who is in question. I�m definitely not going to tell Christine before you let me. I was talking about Frollo - you and I knew him, he even held both of us as prisoners - but Madellaine has no idea of our experiences." "She had her own mean guardian whom Christine knew as well," remarked the bellringer. "Sarousch could never be like Frollo, even though he stole Christine," Ad�le assured, "he can�t even talk like HIM." "All right - I think I really should tell Madellaine about my past," said the young man, "and you MUST promise you�ll let her settle down here if she likes!" Go to Chapter 5 Back to Fanfic Back to Index |