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

Flaming Tempers

Frollo waited silently for Nikolas to arrive, hoping quietly that Nikolas would be discovered sneaking out and hung for his crimes against the gypsies. He had already done his part and Frollo had a good chunk of information already. Then again, maybe Nikolas would bring a breakthrough, they'd been working on a battle plan now and maybe he'd give a vital weak point in the enemy's defense. But that made him think to himself; what would he do if Nikolas was killed? Well one, he'd be secretly gleeful that he was dead. But what then? He was the son of the king's advisor; that was rather high up on the social ladder, dangerously close to his place as Prime Minister. Probably work the death to his advantage, saying he'd been much too young to understand this sort of thing and that only he could handle this sort of problem. Also they death would make the gypsies look more dangerous, only making more people fear them and urge Frollo to get rid of them. Honestly the smug little gentleman's death would do Frollo a great deal of good. However he heard the door open and shut and he knew to his disappointment, he would have no such luck. Nikolas walked in, smiling gently as he glanced at the maps.

"So, are you ready for more planning?" He inquired. Frollo stood and began to examine their older plans, seeing if he could use one of them. It had to be the perfect plan or the entire mission that had taken a good month and a half would be a waste. And he was not a man to waste time. However something other than the plans caught his eye in the firelight. Looking closer he found to his surprise a mark on Nikolas' cheek, in the shape of a pair of lips. The color was faint but from what he could see red. This made him curl his lip, in both disgust and intrigue. What had this boy been doing when not searching for information? Nikolas paused when he saw Frollo's stare. Glancing past him he found that the judge was staring at him. "What is it?" Nikolas asked, not sure if he should be worried or just annoyed. Frollo made a move with his fingers, touching his own cheek. Nikolas did the same and glanced down at his fingers, finding a reddish smudge. This made him groan and wipe it on his trousers, using his fingers to scrub it away. Healia, she'd kissed his cheek before he'd gone to bed but he didn't think about her wearing any sort of makeup, oh how could he be so stupid! Frollo raised an eyebrow.

"So you do more than find information don't you? Is kissing women part of the plan to get information?" Nikolas glared at him, finding a smug smirk on his face.

"You know nothing. She's different." Frollo stroked his chin.

"Do you know how many gypsy men tell me that when I capture a daughter, a sister, a lover? 'Oh spare the woman, she's special, she's unique and doesn't deserve to die.' But they're all wrong, none of these harlots are different, all dime a dozen. Worth nothing, are nothing. You can say that this one is different but in the end she will be nothing more than a little heap of ash and..." Nikolas suddenly pounded his fist upon the table.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" He snarled. Frollo was shocked, and now angry. This boy was telling him what to do?

"No, you shut yours you vile little gypsy; you think she is something special? Well I hate to break it to you but gypsy women are nothing more than witches, and they deserve to die like witches, burned at the stake or tortured. Now I don't want you to speak to me in such a rude tone. Understand?" Nikolas had lost control of himself, how dare Frollo say such horrible things about Healia, he was ignorant of what a wondrous gift of God she was.

"She is not a witch! HEALIA IS SPECIAL AND DON'T YOU EVER SAY SHE ISN'T YOU IGNORANT OLD MAN!" Nikolas shouted furiously. Frollo narrowed his eyes, greeted by Nikolas' sharp gaze.

"Is this the same witch you befriended and used to get information? Good lord I told you not to get attached! Now look where you are, insane and against the king himself! It disgusts me. But don't worry; once she is captured she will be the first to burn, apparently all that time in the Court of Miracles is messing with your head." Frollo hissed. Nikolas shook his head, not fully realizing his mistake of revealing her name. Frollo was messing with his guilt and turning it into anger, too wild to bridle, like a bucking stallion.

"No, I won't let you; I will not let you take down her home. You're a liar and a hypocrite; you call them monsters when you are the real beast. You've convinced all of France that they are the enemy, but now I realize you are the type of people France should be against, the men who hate others for no good reason." Frollo was an inch away from slapping this son of an imp but controlled his hands, but not his words. Rising above Nikolas he snarled.

"A liar am I? A hypocrite as well? Very dangerous claims you make Nikolas, when you are the one that is the enemy. Are you saying you are siding with these creatures? Are you saying you are going to betray your king and all of France because of a witch?! Is that what you are implying Nikolas? Because if you are, I think it would be dangerous to let you go back to the king in anything but chains. Tell me right now you filthy deserter, who's side are you on exactly?" Nikolas was panting with anger, ready to charge like a bull. But he knew deep down that Frollo was stronger and taller, he'd have the advantage. And when he went back a few bruises would raise questions. And once Frollo's words hit home he sighed heavily.

"I would not betray France or my king Frollo, you know that. But you are a different story." Frollo knew this was a threat, and no one got away with threatening him.

"If you were of any less stature I would smack you for such insolent words. I represent the king, and betraying me would be betraying the crown of France. So if you choose France you must accept that this is for the greater good and that wiping the country clean of this stain will leave it better than before. Understood Nikolas? Speak out like that again and I will not hesitate to send you back to his majesty restrained for your traitorous ideas. Treason is a crime; didn't they teach you that in your studies?" Nikolas looked away, he'd lost this battle, but the war was not over. Gripping the table tightly he looked up to Frollo's cold grey eyes.

"Fine, I shall not betray you or his majesty, but swear upon one thing." Frollo waited in silence as Nikolas stood straight. "Swear that if you take all the gypsies, you will not harm a hair on her. Take all the rest but leave her, she is mine." Frollo pondered this, leave one survivor? Well that was a fair price for all the rest of them, but what if she had children? Then the whole thing would start over again. But he knew that this was a vital decision, so with a small nod he muttered.

"Agreed, I shall leave this witch to you." Nikolas knew that wasn't enough.

"Swear. Swear upon your immortal soul Frollo; then I know you will speak the truth about this." Frollo felt anger surge through him, his purity and personal righteousness was a very delicate topic, how dare this insolent little...However he smoothly regained his composure, knowing control and patience were key to this sort of argument, lashing out like before would do him no good.

"I swear upon my immortal soul with God as my witness that I shall leave the witch to you." Nikolas nodded and sat down, apparently satisfied. But Frollo smirked to himself. He'd never specified in what condition he'd leave the witch, close to death or dead maybe. As an aristocrat and highly religious man he would never go back on his word. But then again, he never said he wouldn't find a loophole in their agreement. That's the one thing about deals the poor gypsy had to learn, you had to be specific.

                                           Or things could go wrong with poor Healia.