Justice is Swift But Vengeance is Sweeter (A Judge Frollo Fanfiction)

An Upper Hand At Last

Nikolas ran with smooth grace through the streets of Paris, the evening wind streaking across his face as if racing him. Once at the Palace of Justice he paused, barely winded even though the Court of Miracles was a good few streets away from the menacing building. Walking up to the large door he knocked, taking a good look around him and hoping the Judge wasn't asleep. He already had little patience with the haughty man already; getting him up in the night would not be doing either much good. The door swung open slowly and he walked in, going straight for the parlor since that was the only place Frollo would let him in nowadays. Inside however, he found Frollo very much awake and reading a book, looking up at him with distaste.

"Ah, so you managed to get back. Now what information have you brought me tonight? Vital or useless?" Nikolas shook his head, sitting down across from him.

"Any information is of importance Frollo, I brought information and that's that. We shall not label it useless or vital until we put it to use." Frollo curled his lip, setting down his book, but Nikolas noticed the icy flames beginning to burn in his eyes.

"Tut, tut gypsy, just give me the information and be done with it, you are wasting my evening." Nikolas bit his inner cheek hard, not daring to make a snappy comment or better yet, use some of the swear words he'd picked up from the gypsies. No matter how much he wanted to. Pulling off his satchel he handed it to Frollo who took it slowly, holding it gingerly as if worried it would give him an infectious disease. Nikolas hoped it would. Tugging at the clasp he took out the bundle of papers, setting them on the table. However to Nikolas' shock he also pulled out a book...oh no, Healia's book! He grew stiff, sitting abnormally straight as he watched Frollo examine the book before turning to Nikolas, a smirk playing on his mouth. "Now what's this? I don't remember giving you a book in Greek much less. Steal it Nikolas? When I told you to blend with the scum I didn't think you'd go this far." Frollo inquired smoothly, waving the book in a taunting gesture. Nikolas tensed.

"That is not stolen property, her father bought it." He muttered, still staring at the book, knowing if that if he went home empty handed she would be crushed and that was the last thing he'd want. Yesterday after their conversation Nikolas had asked if he could borrow the book to read since he couldn't sleep. Healia had seemed hesitant to give it up but had made him promise to return it to her soon and he'd sworn to keep it safe. But now that it was in the hands of the most dangerous man in all of France he wasn't sure he would keep his promise. Frollo raised an eyebrow, placing a suspicious look on Nikolas.

"Her father bought it? That cannot be possible, gypsies don't buy things; they steal it. Besides, what gypsy would buy a book hm? Illiterate creatures, they don't even know how to read or write or..." Nikolas interrupted under his breath, glaring at the ground.

"She does." Frollo froze, narrowing his eyes at Nikolas.

"Would you like to repeat that gypsy? A little louder?" He inquired coldly. Nikolas looked up at him; he would defend Healia to his last breath, because such a woman deserved recognition, not to be called illiterate and simple when she was intelligent and knowledgeable.

"The owner of that book, she knows how to read and write. She told me, and I've seen it. So if you don't mind, it would be inaccurate if you called her illiterate." Frollo grinded his teeth, this was bordering rude and it was also bordering his patience. Giving a chuckle he opened the book, flipping through the pages.

"That's impossible, few gypsies, much less, women are educated. And the educated ones merely know how to spell their name. This one is an imposter and you are a fool to believe such lies." Nikolas stayed calm, but inside he was ready to stand up and snarl at the smug hypocrite. Healia was a woman yes, but did that mean she was a simpleton? No, not at all.

"No, I am not a fool for believing the honest word of an innocent woman. She would not lie to me and with that I know with all my soul and heart that she can read." Frollo was shocked, this was not the Nikolas he'd argued with last time, he seemed calmer and more in control. And Frollo despised not having full control over a situation. However his gaze fell upon a scribbled writing on the front page, but to his own dismay, it was Greek. He extended the book to Nikolas and said between gritted teeth.

"Read this." Nikolas glanced at the book in confusion, caught off guard by the request. Frollo gestured for him to take the book, glaring him in the eye. "I said read it, now. Out loud." Nikolas took the book slowly, wondering why he didn't just read it himself when he suddenly realized what this meant. The big bad Judge couldn't read or speak Greek, which meant Nikolas had the upper hand in this sort of circumstance. A thrill of power shot through him but he kept a straight face, looking at the words. "This belongs to Healia, gypsy and daughter of the great Clopin who is the best father in the world. To whoever finds this book; please return it to its rightful owner as it means a lot to me." Nikolas looked at Frollo, finding him tapping his foot impatiently, watching him intently. Nikolas ran his fingers over her words, smiling faintly. Healia was special, and these simple words were the proof. For what other woman could write and read? Nikolas read aloud, letting his eyes skim over the words to make it look like he was reading.

"Judge Frollo has an abnormally long nose and wears a truss. Satisfied?" Frollo growled under his breath.

"Very amusing but unlike you I take life seriously, what does it really say liar?" He chuckled to himself,

"Just that this book belongs to her and she thanks her father for buying it and if it is found please return it." Nikolas replied, pleased that he'd ruffled the Judge's feathers. Frollo gave a snort but Nikolas knew that for once, he'd gained the advantage. If only there was a way to keep that edge. Tucking the book away Nikolas watched Frollo ruffle through the papers, eyes going wide and dark. Then Frollo bolted to his feet, glaring murderously at the papers.

"The vile little thieves! These papers belong to the government, not in the hands of rats, how dare they rob officials! This only adds to their crimes! I will see them all burned!" Nikolas felt his smirk fall, no; Frollo would not insult Healia's family. He knew he could not do much but he would at least defend the lovely gypsy woman.

"They are not hurting anybody Frollo, you should really calm down." Frollo bunched his fists.

"You're telling me to calm down when vermin are robbing the officials of important paperwork?! You really don't care about France do you?" Nikolas didn't move from his seat.

"No, I care about France yes, but your anger will get you nowhere. And you know that." This only fueled the Judge's anger, he looked deranged; then again he wasn't very far off from that word in the first place. But with a few deep breaths he sat back down, taking all the papers and putting them away, causing Nikolas to inquire. "Wait, I brought those to copy and then take back. I don't want anyone getting suspicious." Frollo shook his head.

"Absolutely not. These papers shall not be going back to the hands of that thief Clopin; I am going to keep them." Nikolas grew irritated.

"So basically, those old papers are worth more than my skin?" He replied. Frollo shot him a look,

"These old papers are the reason they've escaped me so long, if you were to look them over instead of stash all of them you would find lists of times when the guards were out and where as well as the times that I myself was patrolling and where. Not only that, but there are multiple homes on this list where it appears they will harbor the rats. Without these papers they are helpless. So in a way, yes, they are worth more than your skin. You are more than capable of bending the truth enough to get them to believe you. Isn't that why you were assigned to this?" Nikolas merely smirked.

"ναί" Frollo was silent, he knew exactly what Nikolas was playing at, oh curse him for his knowledge of Greek! Nikolas took Frollo's silence as an affirmative; the Judge did not know Greek. They were silent before Nikolas pulled out the book and looked at her writing, she wrote very well for a woman with little experience. Giving Frollo a smile that dripped smug arrogance he stood up and went to the door. "Until next time Judge Frollo." And before Frollo could reply Nikolas ran into the street, laughing to himself at how he'd turned the tables. Finally, Nikolas felt like he was getting somewhere with the old man, finally he had power over the situation. Maybe, if he kept his best cards a secret till the ending; he could end up in control of the situation. And just maybe, Healia would be safe from this horrid man, safe with him.