Happily Ever After, Not Really

Happily Ever After . . . Not Really

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Frollo felt cold. For a moment he reveled in the feeling, but then too soon, he began to freeze.

Not too long ago he had fallen from Notre Dame and been burned by the lava flow that had been falling down the great Cathedrals steps. Now all he could feel was cold.

There was no light, or sound. But to the older man, silence had never been louder. Every second seemed like a life time. The Judge had no idea where he was or how long he had been there. But he felt he would go crazy.

Where am I? He wondered, shivering violently.

"Come now Frollo, you know where you are."

The Judge jumped as the voice answered the question he had not spoken aloud. As Frollo looked around frantically, a loud bark of laughter erupted from the shadows.

"There is no point in trying to escape, my dear Magistrate. You of all people should know that. You were a man of God, were you not?"

"Who are you demon!" Frollo tried to follow the voice, but it seemed to come from everywhere.

The being laughed again before he answered in a whisper. "I am the King of the Seven Deadly Sins: The Prince of the Underworld, and the Warden of the Damned."

Frollo felt his blood turn cold. No. . . . It can't be. . .

"Judge Claude Frollo, do you know why you were condemned to my Realm?" The dark figure asked from his place in the shadows.

"There's has been a mistake. . ." Frollo whispered his eyes wide; completely ignoring the question he had been asked. "I can't be in. . .-"

"Hell," the creature finished smugly from his corner.

Frollo could only nod, for his throat felt like it was frozen shut.

The Creature of Hell, walked toward him slowly. "You were placed in my care because of your lusty nature, your pride, and your envy of the things you could never have. "

Frollo wanted to deny all of this, but his mouth wouldn't work.

"Tell me Frollo," the figure was almost close enough to touch him now. "What do you fear the most?"

The Judge of the Palace of Justice visibly cringed. He couldn't let this foul demon know what he feared, or it would use it against him.

The being had stopped right in front of him though the old man couldn't see in the darkness.

"You can't fight me Frollo." The being hissed reaching up to touch his face, "I already know everything about you."

Frollo tried to wrench away, but he found that he couldn't move. His body was restrained by the monsters will.

The creature ran his fingers across the mans face slowly, thoughtfully. And to Frollo's surprise the fingers were soft and delicate. They ran over his face in an arch, and when the creature spoke again, the voice was different.

"Was she worth it Magistrate? The Dancing Gypsy Wench? Was she worth an eternity of purgatory?"

Frollo still couldn't answer.

"For your sake I hope it was, because you sold your soul for her."

Frollo let out a silent gasp. He knew that voice! He had heard it in his dreams since that fateful day; The Feast of Fools.

"No," he mouthed the word, but no sound came out.

"Oh, yes." The creature laughed.

Before Frollo had more time to think, the room became exceedingly bright. After his eyes had gotten used to it, he looked at the figure, and screamed.

Standing in front of him, was Esmeralda, though it wasn't her.

Esmeralda laughed, "What do you think Frollo? Do I look like her?"

Frollo tried to close his eyes, but he still couldn't move.

Esmeralda's eyes flashed red before her fingers slid back to Frollo's face. "You sang of Hell-fire, and I am here to give it to you."

Frollo again let out a silent scream.

"Be careful what you wish for Magistrate. Real life has no happily ever after."

---

Hellfire~

Beata Maria, you know I am a righteous man
Of my virtue I am justly proud

Beata Maria, you know I'm so much purer than
The common, vulgar, weak, licentious crowd

Then tell me, Maria, why I see her dancing there?
Why her smold'ring eyes still scorch my soul

I feel her, I see her, the sun caught in raven hair
Is blazing in me out of all control

Like fire, Hellfire

This fire in my skin

This burning desire
Is turning me to sin

It's not my fault

I'm not to blame

It is the gypsy girl
The witch who sent this flame

It's not my fault

If in God's plan
He made the devil so much
Stronger than a man

Protect me, Maria, Don't let this siren cast her spell
Don't let her fire sear my flesh and bone
Destroy Esmeralda, and let her taste the fires of hell
Or else let her be mine and mine alone. . .

Hellfire, dark fire
Now gypsy, it's your turn

Choose me or your pyre
Be mine or you will burn

God, have mercy on her

God, have mercy on me. . .

But she will be mine

Or she will burn. . .