The Lady and the Gypsy (Clopin x OC romance)

Death and Remembrance

Henri limped outside of the house to face Frollo. He needed to buy his sister time. Frollo seemed to have decided to go for the most dramatic situation possible having brought a host of armed guards to capture two people. Henri looked up at Frollo who sat on his great black horse.

"How can I help you Minister?" he asked in a mock polite tone. Frollo glared down at him evilly.

"Henri Clement, you and your sister are charged with harboring gypsies and assisting them in escaping justice." Henri scoffed.

"Justice? Is that what you call persecuting innocent people? I think you need to double check the dictionary if you think that is the definition of justice." Frollo's face remained angry as he dismounted.

"Where is your sister and how do you plead?" he demanded. Now Henri knew was the time for his deception.

"My sister is ill and unable to leave her bed. As to how I plead?" Henri smirked. "Guilty on all counts and proud of it."

"You confess," asked Frollo who seemed surprised at how easily Henri gave in.

"Oh yes, I've spent years helping dozens of gypsies escape your evil clutches. Most of Paris may be willing to allow you to harm innocents but I certainly won't. You may call yourself a Minister of Justice but in reality we all know you are nothing more than a pathetic, bigoted, fanatic who also seems to have now gone insane." Henri spat in Frollo's face. The man stumbled back his face contorting in rage.

"You will pay for that Tinker! Arrest him and set fire to the house. The girl can burn!"  To guards attempted to arrest Henri who struggled managing to knock out two of them before being over whelmed and forced to his knees. He made sure to put up a good show of trying to get back to the house as the guards set it on fire. With any luck Madeleine could get to Clopin and Frollo would believe her dead.

Frollo approached him now sword in hand.

"Any last words traitor?" the older man asked. Henri glared at him.

"Go to hell!"

HoND

Madeleine watched things unfold in front of her house from the cover of the trees. She heard shouting and saw her brother forced to his knees.

She covered her mouth to stifle the gasp that emerged as Frollo's sword fell on Henri's neck. Tears began to fall down her face as she forced herself to look away and flee.

She ran through the forest heading to the graveyard that led to the Court of Miracles. She felt numb inside not entirely sure how to process what had just happened. All she knew was that she needed to get to Clopin.

She burst into the tunnels water splashing as she ran. In the dark she felt someone catch her. The lights came up and she found Orfeus holding her looking concerned.

"Mademoiselle Clement! What's wrong?" he asked.

"Please, just take me to Clopin," she gasped. Orfeus took her by the arm and led her to the Court. People stared at her as they passed and she pushed her way into Clopin's tent without knocking. Clopin stood with several other gypsies staring at a map  on a table. He looked up in alarm as she burst in and threw herself into his arms sobbing.

"Merdi Madeleine! What's wrong?" he asked. She buried her head in his shoulder and sobbed unable to speak Clopin pulled her over to the edge of his bed where he sat down and pulled her into his lap. He rocked her slightly while he hummed softly allowing her to cry freely. 

Madeleine cried for what felt like hours. Or perhaps it was only a few minutes. At the last she managed to hiccup herself into silence. Clopin stroked her cheek.

"What happened mon coeur?" he asked softly.

"Henri...he...he's dead," she said shakily.

"What? What happened?" said Clopin in surprise.

"Fr...Frollo. He came to our house to arrest us for helping you. Henri told me to run and then went out to face him," Madeleine bit her lip. Each word she spoke felt like a dagger was being stabbed into her chest. "I ran to the woods and watched as he stalled them. Then...Then Frollo beheaded him." 

"Oh mon amore," Clopin whispered as he stroked her hair. "I'm so so sorry." Madeleine hugged him.

"I shouldn't have left him. I should have forced him to come with me!" whispered Madeleine. Clopin shoook his head and tilted her chin to look at him.

"You never would have gotten away. Frollo would have caught both of you. Henri knew that. He was a brave man and he wanted to keep you safe. Do not feel guilty. Frollo is the only one at fault here."

Madeleine knew that Clopin spoke the truth, but it didn't make her feel any better. She clung to him.

"Please don't leave me too. You're all that I have left. If Frollo got you..." 

"Ssh. He won't. I won't leave you. I promise." Clopin told her soothingly. Deep down Madeleine knew that wasn't a promise he could be certain of keeping but she prayed to God all the same that what Clopin said would come true. That Frollo wouldn't take away the only person she had left.

HoND

Clopin had been shocked by the news of Henri's death. He completely understood Madeleine's distraught state having lost a family member to Frollo himself. He allowed her to cry and let her emotions out just as she had allowed him to the night his father was hung. 

After she had calmed down he set about organizing a feast to remember Henri that night. The man deserved to be honored after all he had done for the gypsies.

When dinner time arrived everyone gathered together. Clopin guided Madeleine to sit at his side. She hadn't spoken much since her arrival but had done her best to stick to close to him. Clopin knew it wasn't out of fear of being surrounded by gypsies as some might think but a fear of losing him so soon after her brother was killed.

Clopin stood up, cup in hand and prepared to make a toast. The crowd of people gathered fell silent. It was widely known in the gypsy community that Henri had been a great source of help.

"Tonight we gather to mourn Henri Clement. He was a brave man who risked his own life to do what he thought was right. In a world that has shunned our people he welcomed them. And tonight he paid the price for that kindness. That price was his life, snuffed out at the hands of Frollo. Many of you will know that I would have soon called him my brother. Tonight I honor him as such. He may have been born a gadjo but he is every bit my kin as all of you. His memory will not be forgotten. To Henri!" 

"Henri!" echoed the crowd. Clopin looked over at Madeleine who had tears in her eyes. He placed his hand over hers as he sat back down and gave it a gentle squeeze. 

Author's Note: Well at least Henri will be remembered. We're nearing the end of the story so thank you to everyone who has read and commented. Please leave your thoughts on the story it means a lot to know people are enjoying it. Until next week!