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I snuck out and ducked behind the different tents as I watched them
closely with a keen eye, especially their hands. Clopin was not getting away with this little trick of his. Excusing himself to go drink and he coincidentally ends up in a midnight stroll with our recent female visitor. I immediately regretted my brass bangles that decorated my limbs. They clinked against each other as I tried to follow them through the catacombs. I only hoped they brushed off any noise they heard for the fat rats that scurried about. I picked up my dress making sure that the edges did not get wet from the dirty water, and for the sake of not having the sloshing sound in the ankle deep sewage give my presence away to the couple before me. I climbed into the tavern quickly, making sure not to loose them. I was afraid of being seen by them or acknowledged by other inhabitants of the bar. I started past Cosette when her face lit up and she started to offer a greeting. "Shhh!" I placed my finger to my lips, helping to hush her. "Oh!" She put a delicate hand over her mouth to correct herself. I nodded back, thanking her silently. I almost made it to the door when I was firmly grabbed by the wrist. I fell backward and looked up to find my notorious partner Colombine. "Hello!" She waved at me cheerfully, obviously not noticing my mood and determination to leave. I looked past her to try and see any silhouettes of my lanky husband and his close, shorter friend. Angered at my friend who had now become and obstacle I tried to move past her. She continued to stand in front of me, blocking my exit. "Colombs, I really don't have time --" I looked over her arms and shoulders, frantically searching. "Time for what? Not enough time to speak with your best friend?" She pulled me farther into the tavern. "No, no time. Hey, where have you been lately. I've not seen face around for some days now. Off creating a stir in another city?" I raised a demanding eyebrow, waiting for her humorous reply. She twirled around the scarf she had made herself around her fingers. "No, I was...enjoying myself out of the Court, I can assure you of that." Her smug smile was equal to the bright, secretive look in her mismatched eyes. I looked her up and down and saw her in the same clothes she was in the last time I had seen her, only this time her dress was messy and ruffled. Her hair wasn't placed as neatly as usual and I noticed a putrid smell about her. "Colombine! You were in the company of Frederick were you not?" I hastily put my hands on my hip. She just had a childlike look on her face and looked into the distance at nothing in particular. She looked away from my gaze. "Perhaps. What were you doing in here in the first place you lady. You seemed to be in quite a hurry." She played with her fingernails as she looked up at me playfully. I almost hit myself, I had forgotten my original purpose. "Gracious Colombine I must leave! I will explain to you at a later date. Good-bye!" I ran out and almost tripped over my own feet. I grew mad at myself for being so easily distracted. Now I had made more work for myself by having to find them. The could be anywhere in the streets of Paris but I knew I had to find them. I walked in and out of the sidestreets, my eyes as alert as a cat. I even looked under boxes to make sure the seductive Ariel hadn't convinced Clopin into other activities with her ravishing smile and mysterious eyes. I started running to cover more ground. My feet became scraped on rocks that I could not see in the darkness. I heard some movement and noise up ahead. I almost tripped once more. I came out of the alley I was hurrying down into the Town Square. I had to stop myself immediately at my fast pace. I found them. They were walking next to each other, Ariel patting Clopin's arm from time to time and clapping as they conversed. Then they stopped. It was a bit hard to see them but I studied their figures intensely, watching their every move. I continued to start when I saw their two shadows converge into one, their heads placed together and then separate. I started to scream and had to cover my mouth with both hands to stop myself. That horrible little tramp. She comes here putting on such an act one would believe she had never been laid in a bed in her life when the real performance is when she whispers to men the things they like to hear. She tried to be my friend and I was so blinded with happiness at my achievements I had not even seen the truth. Clopin had swore to me they were over many years ago. Clopin would never lie to me, she must have initiated the entire incident. I held back enraged cried and saddened tears and hurried back the way I had came. Bumping into wooden crates and making sure to keep my feelings quiet and to myself as I ran. The surrounding blackness became a blur as I raced as fast as my bare feet would carry me. I ran through the streets and then through the tavern. I rudely pushed people out of my way. I didn't care to think of who saw me or who I thoughtlessly got around. I even believe I pushed past Colombine because I heard a familiar "Herli!" as I shoved her against the bar. I listened to noone and made my way through the catacombs. I fell, making my dress darken its color and weighing my down as well. I pushed myself up, stumbling a little. I continued to my tent, the tears fully streaming down my face. I couldn't see a thing as I entered the Court, only bright colors surrounding me now. I collided right into a tall burly figure. I mutter a meek apology under my choked cries and dripping outfit. "Herlikin!" I gentle voice exclaimed in surprise. I raised my head to see Pipes. A look of deep concern had creased lines in his face. "What has happened to you? Where is Clopin? Are you hurt?" Only in my heart, I thought as his questions swarmed in my head. I looked up at him with a tear stained face and almost started crying again to the point that I wasn't able to speak. "You told me that Ariel and Clopin ended years ago. You were incorrect my friend. Your slut cousin has stolen him away from me!" I couldn't talk any longer. The tears flowed again, more the before, and I pushed past Pipes. I didn't want to hear his excuses for his beloved cousin. I sat on my bed with my head in my hands, sobbing. How could he do this? She was a manipulative one, almost better than Isabelle had been. I cried and cried. I cried so much my stomach had started to hurt and my throat had tightened, making it hard to breath. I quickly changed my dress and took out some pen and paper which I had taken from Ariel's tent. I was upset that many of the words I wanted to write to Clopin I had not thought of asking to learn. I made a simple note and placed it in his pipe, that way he was sure of seeing it and my message would get across. I ran out of my tent and walked through the Court, avoiding everyone. I went to the secret place that Clopin had shown me many years ago and thought a long time. I was startled by someone arriving as where I was sitting. Clopin saw me and hurried to my side. "Herlikin what is wrong? Who has hurt you?" I violently pushed him away and stood up to face him. I looked up at his tall, strong body, which could easily crush mine with the slightest move. I knew I could stand up to him because he would never strike me hard, a weakness he had. I saw he had a stern face. A reaction to my gesture, I assumed. "You have. You are an evil, thoughtless brute who is easily taken by any woman who parades into the Court. The King himself cannot resist a midnight stroll. I cannot believe that long ago I almost lost you to her! You didn't want to marry me. You thought me a boisterous youngster who you would be imprisoned with for the rest of your life. You would go and walk with her, and tell her you loved her and do everything you do with me with her, except marry! Or did you do that too and I was not aware! She should have had your children, it was the only step you did not take! You wanted to always be with her and now that she is back you want to run away with her and never return to me!" I was screaming now at him, and I was afraid our secret place would not be so secret after this. I saw Clopin's face twist in horror. "Herlikin you jump to conclusions too quickly! You are a selfish girl. Think before you make such silly assumptions!" He placed a firm hand on my arm but I shook it off. "Then what did I witness tonight? I am a fully aware person and I am aware of what I saw between you and that.....that hussy!" His eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly. "Herlikin, don't you dare speak of Ariel in such a manner. It was nothing to take me away from you. It was a simple, friendly token for my hospitality." "That leads to other things." I interrupted. "Shush your mouth and listen to me. We had a past but I told you and I'll dig it into your thick skull again, we are nothing now, nothing more then friends." I got up and walked away. "Where are you going?" "To take care of a personal matter." I waited for no disapproval by my husband and walked quickly over to Ariel and Pipes' tent. They both looked up at my entrance and I walked over to Ariel. I slapped her face hard and without mercy. "That is for kissing my husband." I walked out and back to my own tent. The stunned look on Pipes' and Ariel's face would satisfy me for a lifetime. Shortly after I was sitting in my tent and Clopin burst in, his face deep red with fury. "Something you have not learned as long as you have lived here is to control your temper. You act so harsh when you do not get your way! I want you to apologize to Ariel this instant! Do not make me take my belt to you!" I turned away crossly. "Never." I almost started to cry again, picturing the awful sight in my head of them embracing and her touching his lips. Disgraceful! Clopin detected my mixed emotions and walked and sat next to me. He gently kissed my neck. "My love, my one and only. You should know after years of marriage that I would never leave you. You satisfy every desire and love I could ever have. And I love you for everything you are. I'm more angry you do not realize this." I sighed. The tender voice of my husband was difficult to stand up against. I turned to him and with a rough brown hand he wiped my tears away. "Ariel and Pipes are leaving tomorrow. They though it an appropriate time. I'm sure you are severely depressed at this news," he said dryly. I pushed him. "Stop. You know I was friends with them. I will make amends. Do not worry." I kissed him and we got ready for bed. I was happy that I had gotten into a fight about it. I was able to let all my emotions out, nothing held back from my husband. I closed my eyes and after having a long night I was quite ready to go to sleep.
  
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