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

Sealing Wounds

(It's a little long but here it is, the next chapter! Thanks for all the votes and remember, comments are great!)

Nikolas and Healia were trying to decide whether information about the house was important and if so, who would go get it when Frollo finally woke up. Healia had been concerned when he'd come to weak and unable to speak and had made sure to watch over him all night, letting air get to the wounds before she would cover them up. Sheltering the cuts might cause a rash. They sat on the floor, their supplies in the dugout cupboard and pull out cot tucked to the side. Healia suddenly froze when she heard a groan. Nikolas stopped speaking too, turning to the cot to find Frollo opening his eyes, blinking as he tried to bring the world into focus. Healia gasped and whispered to Nikolas,

"I should use this time to clean the wounds; he needs to eat too, something soft or watery. I don't know if I can light a fire to cook soup so I'll probably just give him water for now. Let me get my supplies." She darted to the cupboard and Nikolas walked to his boss, looking over him with revulsion. Frollo on the other hand just managed to turn his head, seeing Nikolas looming over him, a smirk on his lips. Frollo parted dry, cracked lips and said hoarsely.

"Now how did you get to heaven?" Nikolas almost burst out laughing. He thought he was in heaven? Oh that was too rich, what gave him that impression? Simpering, Nikolas shook his head.

"You're not in heaven; you're not dead in fact. Besides if you died you sure wouldn't go to heaven, I can tell you that." Nikolas said smugly, crossing his arms. Frollo made a face but was honestly too drained to be angry or irritated, yelling at Nikolas would have to wait. Frollo looked around himself and was shocked to find himself indeed, underground, not in heaven. But, then what had happened to the gorgeous angel? Was she a hallucination? How'd he gotten out of the burning house? Who brought him here? And why did Nikolas save him? All these questions made his head pound and spin in agony, causing him to flinch faintly. Then Healia brought over her supplies, standing in Frollo's view and in the firelight, his jaw went slack and his eyes widened. It was her, the angel, she had returned! But, then he looked down, finding to his horror she was dressed as a gypsy. A gypsy? She was a gypsy?! He suddenly felt guilty for daring to think this gypsy was an angel, and silently begged forgiveness from God and all the real angels in heaven for daring to compare them to her. His eyes narrowed in hostility and he bared his teeth like a cornered cat, no doubt trying to intimidate the enemy.

"Gypsy vermin, what are you doing here?" He hissed croakily, his throat unable to perform correctly with its usual baritone. Nikolas stood in front of Healia, furrowing his brow angrily.

"She is here for a good reason. If not for her you'd really be dead. She saw your horse outside the burning house and believed you were in trouble. And she convinced me to go with her into the house that was practically falling down to drag your sorry skin out. Then she told me about this hiding place where we could take you and has been watching over you ever since. So you owe this young woman your life Frollo, do not make her regret saving you." Nikolas snapped. Frollo was speechless, and looking at Healia's serious face he knew Nikolas had not lied; the only reason he wasn't dead was because this gypsy had seen something in him worth saving. But...why? Healia gently pushed past Nikolas and knelt beside Frollo,

"It's true Frollo, we rescued you and now, I'm going to make sure you get better. No one knows where you are and none of the gypsies other than Nikolas and I know of your whereabouts. Now, I think it's time to address your injuries. You were burned, covered in splinters and cut. It will take some time but you'll be right as rain soon enough. Would you like water?" Frollo did not speak but nodded, letting her pour cool liquid down his burning throat. Frollo felt a few drops leak onto his chin but at the moment he was too thirsty to think of much else other than water. Once he'd drunk his fill however Healia murmured tenderly, "Can you sit up?" He tried but his body was too weak, after two more tries he finally gave up, shaking his head. She nodded and wrapped her arms around his torso, making sure not to touch any wound. At her warm touch he realized that he wasn't wearing his mantle, he was in fact, in nothing but his undershirt and tights, much to his embarrassment. Her hands helped him up until he was slumped against her, head on her shoulder. His body hurt more in this position but he refrained from any pained noises, shutting his eyes as she ran her fingers down his back, probably checking for any wounds there. It was horrifyingly humiliating, being so weak and having to lean against a woman like this. Especially with Nikolas watching with a smug smirk; it was enough for his usually pale cheeks to grow a deep shade of pink. Frollo then felt his nose twitch, a sweet, natural scent of flowers coming to his nose. Flowers and rich earth but; where was it coming from? Opening his eyes faintly he found that her thick black hair was the source of the fragrance. Sighing gently he felt reassured and soothed in her arms, as if all the dangers and worries in life had melted away to nothing. It was the sensation of a mother holding her child, gentle and protective. He bit back a groan as she pressed her fingers against his back, it felt like it was wet and her touch only made the pain blossom into something excruciating. She tutted her tongue.