Madeleine was quick to run home and change clothes and briefly inform Henri about what happened.

Now she made her way towards the graveyard entrance to the Court of Miracles, constantly checking that she wasn't being followed.

Finally she reached the graveyard and with some difficulty pushed aside the top of the monument revealing a set of stairs. Madeleine climbed down and pulled the top shut behind her.

She then took out a box of matches and a candle out of her cloak and lit it recalling how dark the catacombs could be. Slowly she made her way through the wet tunnels waiting for the moment the guards would appear.

Madeleine had been walking for about ten minutes when her candle went out and she felt a blade against her throat. She froze.

"Well, well, what do we have here? A little mouse come to play," said an unfamiliar sinister voice. Suddenly the lights came on in the cavern revealing the many gypsies in skeleton costumes.

Suddenly one of the skeleton's scoffed and pulled off his mask. To her relief Madeleine recognized Orfeus.

"Let her go Harlan you moron. That's not a spy it's our king's fiancee," she felt the blade retract from her throat quickly.

"My apologies. Harlan is rather new," said Orfeus.

"Perfectly understandable given recent events," said Madeleine calmly brushing it aside. "Could one of you take me the rest of the way to the Court?"

"I'll do it," said Orfeus and he led her deeper down the passageway. "I have to admit I'm glad you're here. Clopin's been very anxious. Esmerelda isn't back yet."

"Oh dear, I hope she's alright. She seems to have really angered Frollo."

"I know," replied Orfeus. They reached the Court with it's many tents. "You know the way to his tent?" he asked. Madeleine nodded.

"Thank you Orfeus." The gyspy nodded and headed back down the tunnel. Madeleine quickly made her way to a large red and gold tent she knew to be Clopin's. She pushed aside the entrance flap and found Clopin pacing anxiously. He looked up as she came in and relief flooded his face. He ran to her and pulled her into his arms.

"Thank heavens you're safe," he said. After a moment they pulled apart.

"Well, I'm not exactly his prime target. Speaking of which Orfeus said Esmerelda isn't back yet," said Madeleine in concern. Clopin sighed and began his pacing again.

"No, she hasn't returned. The last I heard she claimed sanctuary in Notre Dame but I know she won't stay there. Gypsies don't do well inside stone walls and Frollo will have posted guards at every entrance."

"Esmerelda's a smart girl. She can take care of herself," Madeleine said in an attempt to comfort him.

"She should never have teased Frollo and then openly defied him. She's practically declared war!"

"She thought she was doing the right thing."

"I know but..." Clopin was cut off as Esmerelda entered the tent. Clopin put his hands on his hips.

"Well, well, well, look who decided to turn up."

"I know you're angry Clopin but..." began Esmerelda apologetically but Clopin cut her off.

"I hope you're satisfied. Your little stunt has just put the entire Court in danger!"

"Frollo was going after us before I stood up to him!" argued Esmerelda.

"Yes, but you have simply exacerbated that now that he has a specific target! You just had to interfere didn't you!?" shouted Clopin.

"I was doing the right thing! That poor boy didn't deserve such foul treatment! How are we any better than Frollo if we don't help others who are in a similar position?"

"Need I remind you that you were the one that pulled him on stage? I'm sorry for the hunchback but we need to put our own safety first. He is one person, I have to protect hundreds including women and children and my own cousin goes and aggravates Frollo!"

"I won't stand by while others are hurt! It's time someone stood up to Frollo. We can't spend the rest of our lives cowering in the shadows 364 days of the year!" yelled Esmerelda. Clopin clapped his hands sarcastically.

"Ah yes, I suppose you want to go to war against him? When he has hundreds of guards at his disposal? We would be massacred Esmerelda! Now go to your tent and stay there where you can't get into any more trouble." Esmerelda glared at Clopin and turned on her heel leaving the tent. Clopin groaned.

"That girl. I'm just..." he broke off seemingly lost for words. Madeleine who had watched the explosive exchange placed her hand on his shoulder.

"You're conflicted. You're proud of her for doing the right thing morally, but you are also worried about the consequences and how you will now protect your people." Clopin closed his eyes.

"Precisely." He opened them and looked at her.

"How do you always know what to say?" Madeleine shrugged.

"Intuition. I believe in you Clopin. You will find a way out of this."

"I wish I had your confidence," Clopin told her with a wry smile.

"Well, its a good thing I have enough for both of us," Madeleine told him before leaning up to give him a kiss.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" Clopin asked.

"Outside? Are you sure?" asked Madeleine.

"I know a place," Clopin replied with a grin.

HoND

Clopin led Madeleine up a ladder and onto the roof tops of Paris. There was a section where the roofs were all flat and close together. He doubted the guards would be looking up. They walked along hand in hand and Clopin brought himself to ask the question that had been worrying him since the events of the festival.

"Do you still wish to get married?" He asked her. She looked surprised.

"Why wouldn't I?" Clopin shrugged.

"Things have gotten far more dangerous now. I didn't know if you still wanted to deal with that. It's going to make things more difficult." Madeleine turned to face him.

"There is nobody in the world I would rather have as my husband." She stepped away and began to sing.

Some people long for a life that is simple and planned
Tied with a ribbon
Some people won't sail the sea 'cause they're safer on land
To follow what's written
But I'd follow you to the great unknown
Off to a world we call our own

She took his hands one at a time and pulled him into a dance.

Hand in my hand
And we promised to never let go
We're walking a tightrope
High in the sky
We can see the whole world down below
We're walking a tightrope

She ran to the edge of the roof balancing on one leg so his hand was all that supported her.

Never sure, never know how far we could fall

He spun her back in and they continued their dance as she sang

But it's all an adventure
That comes with a breathtaking view
Walking a tightrope

With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you

Clopin stepped away and began to sing as he looked at her.

Mountains and valleys, and all that will come in between
Desert and ocean

He pulled her to him his hands on her waist.

You pulled me in and together we're lost in a dream
Always in motion
So I risk it all just to be with you
And I risk it all for this life we choose

Her sweet soprano began to join his tenor for the next lines as they grabbed hands and leapt the small gap between the rooftops before continuing the dance.

Hand in my hand
And you promised to never let go
We're walking a tightrope
High in the sky
We can see the whole world down below
We're walking a tightrope
Never sure, will you catch me if I should fall?

He lifted her up in the air before letting go and catching her bridal style.

Well, it's all an adventure
That comes with a breathtaking view
Walking a tightrope

She stroked his cheek before he let her down to finish their waltz.

With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
With you, ooh, ooh, ooh

He spun her out and pulled her back in so their faces were close together as they sang the final line.

With you

Author's Note: Another day another chapter. Thanks again to everyone who has read this and especially those who commented it's helped keep me on my updating schedule. Again please leave your thoughts on each chapter in the comments. I'm always happy to hear your opinions. I also don't own the song tightrope it belongs to the composers of the greatest showman. I'm including a link to the cover I image for this duet. Until next week! watch?v=Ti4Ab8MZ-aI&t=206s