#medieval setup

Now, off to the second idea I had, which is a Disney/Classic Literature AU.

Well, my third favourite Disney movie is, undoubtedly one of the most underrated ones for its darkness and severity, the Hunchback of Notre Dame. So, I thought to convert our beloved Robin Hood characters into those magnificent ones of THOND.

I know, it may sound a bit deranged and preposterous, BUT I'll try to put my whirlwind of a mind in order for you, dearly beloved Robin Hood fellows!

Firstly, Robin would be Phoebus OF COURSE. They're so alike, both war veterans, profoundly handsome in a lovely way, womanisers, cutely smug (Friendly Note: This dithyramb comes from someone who doesn't like Robin at all. I don’t hate him, I just don’t like him, but that’s something I’ll analyse on a post of it’s own❤️)

Allan (dear, dear Allan) would be my favourite sidekick Clopin! He’s the first character we meet in THOND and bears the same joviality, risibility, and versatility, with great, memorable lines. Seriously, who else has this grandeur, this sauciness, combined with so many layers of fascinating darkness underneath?

Marian would definitely be Esmeralda. Not only because she’s the female protagonist but also because they’re extremely similar. They both try to diverge from their natural environment, their “status”, putting the greater good above all and fighting for their ideals with all their might, power, and internal fire. They are so full of fiery sentiments, that sometimes blind them, while they represent purity, boldness, absolute ethics, and justice through a very peculiar way of vengeance. They both, after all, aren’t afraid to stand up and speak their mind in front of men of position and power. Remarkably so.

Time for the three gargoyles, Quasimodo’s best friends; Victor, Hugo, and Laverne. I believe that, given their characteristics, they could be paralleled with Djaq, Will, and Roy. (Yes, Roy. Three episodes or so were enough to love him.) Laverne and Djaq share a profound maturity, temperament and dynamism, while Will and Victor a calmness, a sense of wishful thinking and many hidden talents. Well, Roy and Hugo are both fiery, very passionate about their goals and have quite colourful personalities.

Little John and Much would be those two special soldiers that accompany Phoebus and have some funny moments with Achilles (his sassy horse) yet -alas- remain nameless. Fear not, I'll make sure that's taken care of! 😉 I believe it serves Robin right to have the two people with whom he's mostly bonded with him again, and I could also enhance it a bit with a war veterans story as well. More to be said about that further below.

Tuck (my beloved Tuck, the one who came in Season Three and saved me from utter indifference and ennui towards the "good guys") could definitely be paralleled with the also unnamed Archdeacon, the one who persuaded Frolo not to kill Quasimodo in the opening sequence. Apart from them both being men of the cloth, they share the same sense of helping others, consulting, and sheltering, while actively fighting injustice and true infidelity.

Time for Frollo and that really got me wondering and wavering between two options; the glib Sheriff and the obsessed with Marian Harold of Winchester. I believe that the final outcome must be some mix of the two or those two seperately as two different people, on the same purpose and rank perhaps. Because, however corrupt and sadistic Frollo may be -just like the Sheriff- he's also madly in love with Esmeralda, developing some obsession and overmastering desire to possess her entirely, which is a trait of Winchster's. I still haven't decided what's the wisest to do; present a Vasey lustful for Marian or two different characters altogether? What say you, guys?

And here comes my favourite part, my favourite character, the reason why I actually started developing this AU idea initially, my fundamental element. The terrifically tremendous resemblance between Quasimodo and Guy. Our lovely Gisborne may not be physically deformed like dearest Quasi, YET it's his soul and mind that are, which is quite a lot more tragic and usable for a writer. Now, everybody eyes them both with contempt or fear or pity EXCEPT for a certain young lady, the epitomy of innocence, Marian or Esmeralda. Therefore, they are met with love through compassion and authentic caring, when somebody after all sees through their ugly/raged face, to their actual, truly beautiful and kind heart. Then, there's their relationship with their masters which I believe to be identical. There's blind faith, loyalty, a sense of complete dependency and a dark, esoteric gratitude for an odd, old salvation. Both Quasimodo and Guy think that without Frollo or Vasey they are alone, numb, powerless. Eventually, though, they both turn against them decidedly, after they witness the deaths of their loved ones caused by them -their masters- (Marian's case is also something that I need to analyse in the future. Good God, this fandom is food for thought, right? 😆❤)

Now, the set-up. How I think and envision this convergence to work and make sense.

For a start, I don't believe that France would be wise for the location. I mean, it’s a good and fair combination to keep the time of THOND and the place of Robin Hood. England's better, especially if you think that in the 15th Century it was in an utter state of chaos due to the Wars Of The Roses (my personal favourite British History Period). THOND is set on the 15th Century, hence the reference.

There are many opportunities for our scheme-lover Vasey to conspire. If he's, for example, a Magistrate, a Minister or Superior Judge like Frollo, he could be working with the White Rose or the Red against the other, or -if placed later, my personal favourite option- scheming with Richard Duke of Gloucester to crown him King Richard the Third. On that accord, Guy could be his right hand man -deformed or not, remains to be decided- managing his estates or accounts and -since his master is involved in the Justice System- is also his best torturer. (Remember that scene in THOND, the one where Frollo took Phoebus in the dungeons for the first time?) Vasey believes that by keeping him by his side and not having killed him as a babe (Quasimodo's origin story) is actually a great way to feel atoned for his crimes and sleep well at night, thinking that God blesses him etc.

Now, how do the others come over? Obviously, the gargoyles could still be gargoyles but also servants to the Castle of that town where the plot takes place, which could be London, Gloucestershire, Nottingham again (why not?) Then, Robin could become Captain of the City Guard as an honour for his service in the Hundred Years War yet once he realises the corrupt nature of Vasey, he starts questioning his authority.

Time for Marian and Allan. Marian would be a rich heiress and highborn lady with the only family that's left for her being Allan, her half brother on her mother's side, adopted by her father (quite common tactic back then, since fathers were absent in the War, pretty much like dear Edmund from King Lear but in a saner way). So, Marian is a frequent visitor to the Castle or some cathedral that could be used to make it exactly like THOND, as an active member of the council of Nobles, intelligent and a free spirit -perhaps trained in Martian Arts as Marian too. The rest of the plot could be unveiled accordingly, whether based on Robin Hood or THOND some things turn out to be identical more often than not...

That's it, for now. Good Lord, I've been carried away again, haven't I? Once more, extremely garrulous and loquacious... I'm terribly sorry for the VASTNESS of this post.

Anyway, tell me, how did you like it? Does it look plausible? Am I right to make those parallelisms or completely paranoid and callow?

Frankly, every response from you brings a smile on my face and urges me to write more and quicker! Thank you a million times once again for your lovely response to my previous post, see you soon for a third idea! (Yes, I've got quite a lot awaiting...)