Alrighty! First time writing fics for musicals! I haven't seen Les Miserables, so bear with me, I've just read the book, and I have the 10th anniversary on DVD so most of my info will be coming from that. I have the Phantom movie, so my info will be coming from that as well. Oh, and as a warning to those die hard Marius/Eponine and Erik/Christine shippers, this is going to be an Erik/Eponine fic. Just to warn you. That being said, on with the show!
Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom of the Opera. That belongs to Leroux and Webber. Les Miserables belongs to Hugo, Boublil, Schonberg, and Kretzmer
It was a clear night in Paris. The moon was full and the air cool. It was one of those nights where people went to sleep with pleasant dreams and had pleasant moods to match.
All but one.
Crouching in the shadows of an alley, a small, wretched figure crouched, curled in on itself. It was shaking with sobs, crying the tears that can only come from heartache. However, the sound of the clattering of feet made the creature stop it's sobbing, and it raised its head, revealing a feminine face streaked with grime and tears. However, despite her grief, the young woman had bright green eyes, that relayed intelligence and strength. She wiped her tears off of her face and stood up, straightening the cap covering her greasy mud-brown hair. Creeping along the wall, she poked her head around the corner, and saw a group of men making their way stealthily towards a house. The house that the reason for her grief was at.
Her eyes opening wide, she silently cursed underneath her breath, and she began to quickly rack her brains for a way to drive the bandits away. However, so lost in her thoughts was she that she did not notice the figure creeping up behind her. Quickly, the man grabbed the young woman and covered her mouth with his hand, holding her trapped. He carried the struggling girl towards the bandits. Hearing her muffled shrieks, the men turned around and stared at the young girl curiously.
"What 'ave we 'ere?"
"Who is this 'ussy?"
Looking closer at the girl, one of the men scowled and turned to face his comrade.
"It's your brat: Eponine! Why's she hanging about you?" the man demanded.
As soon as he heard the girl's name, the man holding her immediately released his hold. Eponine turned around to glare at her capture before turning to face her father.
"Go on 'ome, Eponine! We're enough 'ere wifout you!" her father hissed.
Placing her hands on her hips, Eponine stood up straight and tossed back her straggly hair as she glared at her father.
"I know this 'ouse, Papa. Only an old man and a girl live 'ere. They got nothin' of value that you'd want." She stated.
Her father scowled down at her. "Don't interfere wif my work, Eponine! Now go on 'ome!"
"Ah, she's goin' soft, Thenardier! 'Appens to all of us." One of the bandits said.
"Listen to your father an' go on 'ome! You're in our way!" another bandit hissed.
"I'll scream! I'll warn them!" Eponine threated, raising her voice.
"Keep it down," one of the bandits hissed.
"Not a sound out of you!" Thenardier said, panic raising his voice.
Eponine narrowed her eyes and slowly backed away from the bandits.
"I told you I'd do it," she growled before balling her fists at her sides and screaming out into the night air. Thenardier rushed over to where his daughter stood and placed his hand over her mouth, his other arm around her arms, preventing her from moving.
"Don't wait around you fools! Make for the sewers! I'll take care of the brat!" Thenardier shouted back at the bandits before hissing in Eponine's ear.
"You just wait, m'girl: you will rue this night. And then you'll be screaming for sure." Thenardier growled looking up suddenly at the sound of someone approaching, and rather roughly releasing Eponine before running off. Eponine stumbled for a moment, but a sudden sense of security overwhelmed her as she felt two strong arms envelope her.
"Eponine! I saw those bandits: your cry scared them off! Once more 'Ponine, you saved the day!" a young man, Monsieur Marius, cried.
Eponine looked up at him and smiled gratefully, but looked over his shoulder as a young woman dressed in fine clothes came running down the road, a worried look on her face.
"Marius! Is everything alright?" the girl asked.
"Cossette!" Marius cried, releasing Eponine and running over to her.
"Cossette, this is my friend, Eponine. She frightened away those bandits and brought me to you! She is to thank for bringing us together." Marius said, smiling down at Cossette.
Cossette smiled back up at him, and Eponine felt something in her heart ache. But Marius' head snapped up, and Eponine could hear the sound of feet on the ground. Eyes wide, Marius gently released Cossette and took Eponine's arm.
"Someone is coming! Eponine, we must not be seen. Cossette, I will see you again: this I promise." Marius said before running off, dragging Eponine behind him.
They ran until they had gone deep into Paris. Eponine recognized the streets as the one by the ABC Café, the favorite meeting place of Marius and his restless friends. Once they had finally stopped running, they both paused a minute to catch their breath. However, it wasn't long before Marius began to laugh joyfully, and he picked up Eponine in his arms and spun her around.
"Oh, Eponine! I cannot thank you enough! Cossette is . . . . words cannot describe her! She is the most beautiful thing on this Earth! I shall never love another like I love her!" Marius cried.
"I am 'appy for you, Monsieur Marius." Eponine said, putting on a false smile.
"Eponine, I will never be able to repay you for what you have done for me this night. Is there anything in this world that you desire? If it is in my power I will give it to you." Marius said.
Eponine gave him a sad smile and looked down. "Nothing that you can give, Monsieur Marius."
"Come now, there must be something! Maybe money, or some food?"
"Being with you is enough, Monsieur." Eponine replied, smiling up at him.
Marius frowned, and he took Eponine's shoulders in his hands and looked her in the eye. "Are you really so friendless, 'Ponine? Are you so lonely that all you really desire is a companion?" he asked.
"Growing up on the streets, 'aving to fight the other children for food makes finding friends a lower priority." Eponine replied bitterly.
Marius frowned and straightened up. "Meet me here tomorrow, we'll have a lot of work to do, getting you cleaned up and finding a decent dress."
"Monsieur, I told you that I don't want no money." Eponine protested.
"I'm not offering you money, Eponine. No, I think I'll take you to the opera."
"The opera, Monsieur?" Eponine asked.
Marius nodded, smiling. "You said that you long for a friend. I am your friend, 'Ponine, and as a friend I would be delighted to treat you to a night at the opera. But we'll have to get you properly dressed for it."
Eponine stared at him. "Monsieur –"
"Ah. Don't try and protest, Eponine. In fact, I've been meaning to go to the opera myself, but one does not go to the opera alone, and Enjolras and Grantaire don't have time for such things, and I don't know Cossette well enough to take her. No, you'll be doing me a favor by coming, 'Ponine. Now, I'll expect to see you here at midday so we can make you presentable." Marius said, smiling at Eponine before walking away.
The street girl stared after him for a second before a sort of wondering smile broke out on her face, and she spun around, laughing.
"A night at the opera! And a real dress! And a whole night with Monsieur Marius!" Eponine sighed. Smiling, she twirled around one last time before running away to find some shelter. She had to be well-rested for tomorrow.
When Eponine finally found a suitable resting place in a ditch, she lay down, and fell asleep thinking how Monsieur Marius would be sure to love her as soon as he saw her in fine clothes, like that Cossette.
When Eponine woke up, the sun was already a quarter into the sky. Yawning, she stood up and stretched. It was a moment before she remembered what was to happen today, and a smile broke onto her face. Quickly rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she ran over to the nearest canal, and looked at the water running through it. It was slightly murky, but it was still water. And so she dipped her hands in and splashed the water onto her face, trying to rub off some of the grime. She knew that Monsieur Marius would probably take her to a bathhouse or his own home to get her cleaned up, but she didn't want to be as filthy as she had been when she walked into his home or the bathhouse. So she scrubbed off a good layer of the dirt and sweat off of her arms and legs, and then used her coat to dry herself off. When she was done with her "bath," she then resolved to go and find some food. Poking around in the trash, she found nothing that could be safely eaten, and considered stealing some food. No, she finally decided. Maybe if there was less chance of her getting caught, and maybe if she could hide from the police. But she would be walking abroad with Monsieur Marius, and she had gone long enough without food that she knew how to discipline herself. So, Eponine walked back to where Monsieur Marius had left her, and looking at the sun in the sky, saw that she had a few hours left before he would come to get her. So Eponine sat down, and waited.
Monsieur Marius came when the sun was in the center of the sky, and Eponine jumped up as soon as she saw him. Grinning broadly when he saw her, Marius jogged over to where she was and smiled down at her.
"Hello, 'Ponine. Are you ready?" he asked.
"As I'll ever be, Monsieur Marius." She replied, smiling.
Nodding, Marius took Eponine's arm and gently began leading her through the city.
Monseiur Marius led Eponine to his home, and took her inside and directed her to a freshly drawn bath, where he instructed her to wash herself. As soon as she was alone, she stripped off her rags and coat and sank into the warm water, enjoying the soothing feeling for a moment before beginning to furiously scrub off all of the dirt and grime that covered her. Seeing the assorted bottles and such, she took the various perfumes and added them to the bathwater, a flowery smell emitting from them. Eponine then proceeded to wash her hair as soon as she had gotten most of the grime off of her skin. It was tedious business, as her hair was in need of brushing as well, but she soon could be called clean. She stepped out of the bath and dried herself off with the towel, and then put on the clean maid's clothes that Marius had gotten for her to wear temporarily. After giving her hair a final dry and comb, Eponine stepped out, where Marius was waiting. When he saw her, he smiled broadly.
"I can barely recognize you, 'Ponine! You'll look like a true lady once you're in your dress! I hope you don't mind – it used to belong to my mother, but I'm having some alterations made to it so it will be a bit more modern, and so it will fit you, of course. She was a bit plumper than you were, but the alterations should be done soon. Have you eaten yet?" Marius asked.
Eponine shook her head. "No, Monsieur Marius."
"Well then! Let us go and get you some food! The dress should be a bit longer, anyways." Marius said, offering his arm to Eponine. Feeling happier than she had ever felt in years, Eponine took his arm, and he gently led her out the door and back into the streets of Paris. They walked for a while until they reached the spot where Marius had left Eponine: the ABC Café.
When they entered, Eponine could see Marius' friends, Enjolras and Grantaire sitting at a table, laughing and drinking. Smiling, Marius walked up to them, Eponine following him.
"Enjolras! Grantaire! Isn't it a little early to be getting drunk?" Marius asked.
"Oh, Graintaire is the one drinking. I, however, am enjoying coffee." Enjolras said.
"You're still drinking Enjolras!" Grantaire laughed before seeming to notice Eponine for the first time.
"Oh, have you finally found that girl who mysteriously disappeared then, Marius?" Grantaire asked.
"Oh, yes, I have. But this is not her. This is my friend: Eponine." Marius said, gesturing at the street girl.
Enjolras narrowed his eyes. "You're the Thenardier girl, aren't you?" he asked.
Hesitantly, Eponine nodded.
Enjolras laughed. "Well, I never would have recognized you without all of that filth and those rags!"
"I'll say! I was about to ask Marius if I could borrow her for a little –"
"Really Grantaire, sometimes you surprise me with what you think is appropriate to say in public." Enjolras said, a disapproving frown on his face.
"Oh, like you weren't thinking the same thing!" Grantaire scoffed before winking at Eponine.
Marius chuckled. "'Ponine, why don't you wait here while I get you some food?" Marius suggested before walking off.
Hesitantly, Eponine sat at the table, and Grantaire laughed.
"Really, I was only joking. No need to be so frightened!" Grantaire laughed.
Eponine gave a weak smile, and Enjolras leaned over and looked at her pensively.
"So, what occasion has Marius cleaning you up?" Enjolras asked.
"'e is taking me to the opera tonight." Eponine answered.
"The opera, eh? He's been bugging us to go for a while now. How'd he convince you to go?" Grantaire asked.
"I 'elped 'im find that mystery girl of 'is. 'e is trying to repay me." Eponine replied.
Enjolras raised an eyebrow. "Ah, I see. Honestly, with the way Marius was acting, I think he would have sold his soul to Satan to find that girl."
"Good thing you found him first then, right?" Grantaire laughed.
"Yeah, good thing," Eponine said, looking down and fiddling with her skirt.
At that moment, Marius returned with a bowl of porridge and a cup of tea for Eponine. Sitting down at the table, he passed over the food to the street girl, who had to restrain herself from attacking the food and instead began to eat it in small portions, attempting some manners.
"Look! She can eat properly, too! You must be a miracle worker, Marius. First you turn that wretched street urchin into a pretty lady, and next you teach her to eat! What's next, she learns to read?" Grantaire joked.
"I can read," Eponine snapped, looking up and glaring at Grantaire.
"You can?" Marius asked in surprise.
Eponine nodded. "M'father used to own an inn. Mum and Dad saw no point in me learnin' to read, even though they could. One of the patrons taught me a little, though. I can't read one of 'em long books, but I can get by." Eponine said.
Grantaire chuckled. "Will wonders never cease? You sure you can't lend her to me, Marius? I'd like to see what other surprises she has in store."
"Get your head out of the gutter, Grantaire." Enjolras snapped, slapping his friend on the head.
"I'm done, Monsieur Marius." Eponine said.
Marius nodded. "Good, I think your dress should be ready by now. Come, we'll go get it, and I'll have one of the maids do your hair." Marius said, standing up. Eponine followed in suit, and followed him towards the door.
"Hey! 'Ponine! If you ever need any company on some lonely night, I'd be happy to help!" Grantaire shouted after her.
"Leave the poor girl alone, Grantaire!" Enjolras reprimanded.
Marius chuckled, and looked at Eponine apologetically. "I hope those two didn't bother you too much, 'Ponine."
Eponine shook her head. "Not at all, Monsieur. Monsieur Grantaire made a few suggestive comments, though."
Marius chuckled. "Yes, he tends to do that to any pretty girl he sees."
Eponine smiled, but she couldn't help but dwell on what Marius had said.
I'm pretty?
The cab pulled up to the steps of the Opera House, and Monsieur Marius stepped out. Straightening his coat, he turned back to the cab to help the young woman inside out.
All who saw her would not have known that she was a street urchin unless they talked with her long enough to notice her accent. And if they were observant enough, they would note that she did not carry herself like a dainty lady or a high noble, but instead like a cross between a bird ready for flight and a lion ready to protect its meal. She wore an elegant gown of green that accented her bright emerald eyes and made her auburn hair stand out even more. There was very little decoration hanging on her neck or ears, and not much was done with her hair except a slight curl and being pulled back with a pin.
Eponine didn't even remember that her hair was red. It had been brown from lack of wash and grim for so long that she had forgotten what it had looked like when it was clean. And she didn't realize how pale her skin was! When she had seen her reflection, she was amazed that she was looking at the same girl who had been washing herself in the canal only the same morning. Now she understood why Grantaire had been making all of those suggestive remarks to her. If only Monsieur Marius noticed her as well.
But she took pleasure in the fact that no one was looking at her with distaste and disgust as she got out of the cab. For once, they seemed to accept her! She was no longer the faceless street girl, she was somebody!
"Come, 'Ponine! We must get our seats before it fills up!" Marius insisted, pulling Eponine along by the arm.
"What is the opera we will be seein', Monsieur Marius?" Eponine asked.
"It's called Il Muto. The Opera House's star, Carlotta, will be performing. A stroke of luck, I should say, since she stormed out of the Opera House a few days ago, saying something about quitting. Though I hear her replacement – Christine Daae – was quite talented." Marius explained.
"Oh, she was more than talented, believe me." A voice said.
Marius turned around, as did Eponine to see who had addressed them. Standing before them was a young man dressed in wealthy clothes with his brown hair hanging down at his shoulders.
"Good God! Raoul, is that you?" Marius exclaimed.
"It's been far too long Marius." Raoul greeted, walking over and embracing Marius.
"It is good to see you, old friend! How have you fared." Marius asked, standing back to survey Roul.
"I have been well. I am now the sponsor for this Opera House, ever since its previous owner retired to two men who have until recently been in the scrap metal business." Raoul explained.
"I hear you're the Vicomte de Chagny now!" Marius said.
"That I am. My father left me nearly everything in his will." Raoul replied before looking at Eponine curiously.
"And who is this lovely flower? A lady friend?"
Marius chuckled. "No, just a friend I'm afraid. My heart belongs to another. But Eponine hear is to thank for leading me to my love. Which is why I decided to treat her to the opera." Marius said.
"Monsieur," Eponine said, bowing her head to Raoul.
Raoul gave her a small nod in return. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mademoiselle Eponine. Though I am afraid that this performance will not be the best."
"Oh, and why is that?" Marius asked.
"The two fools who run this theatre keep on getting notes from a mysterious Opera Ghost, otherwise known as the Phantom of the Opera. He demands a salary and that Box Five is to be kept empty for him. The previous owner was happy to humor the Phantom's whims, but the two new owners are a bit too fond of their money, and have decided to spite him by placing Carlotta in the lead role, when he said specifically that Christine was to play Countess. And believe me when I say that Christine would have been better." Raoul said bitterly.
"This Christine: she wouldn't happen to be the same Miss Daae as the one you were friends with as a child, would she?" Marius asked.
"The very same. She's been living under the protection of Madame Giry – the ballet instructor – ever since her father's death." Raoul answered.
"Little Lotte, eh? Well, it's been a treat seeing you again, Raoul, but we really must be getting to our seats. I'll look you up when I have spare time!" Marius said, bowing his head.
Roul nodded. "If you need me, I'll be in Box Five." Raoul said.
"The one the Phantom demands be kept empty?" Marius asked.
"Oh, I don't believe there's really a Phantom: just a man who likes having power." Raoul said before bowing his head in farewell and walking off.
"Come, 'Ponine, we musn't be late!" Marius said, leading Eponine into the theatre. They handed in their tickets and then took their seats in the balcony towards the edge. The theatre was still filling up, and many people were chatting and socializing. However, a general hush fell over the audience as the candles were snuffed out and the conductor entered the stage. Bowing to the audience, he entered the pit and began to conduct. The music was light and happy, and the curtains opened to reveal three actors wearing almost clownish make-up and ridiculously brightly colored clothing. A pretty ballerina entered and bent down like she was listening in on their conversation. The women dressed in pink leaned towards one of her male comrades, and began to sing.
"They say that this youth has set my lady's heart aflame!"
"His lordship sure would die of shock!" One of the men sang
"His lordship is a laughing stock!" Sang the other.
"Should he suspect her, God protect her." Sang the woman.
"Shame, shame, shame. This faithless lady's bound for Hades. Shame, shame, shame." Sang the three.
The curtains opened behind them to reveal another woman wearing the ridiculous clothing and make-up – along with an incredibly tall powdered-wig – kissing an actor dressed as a maid. They broke apart when they heard the audience, and Eponine was surprised to see that the actor looked very feminine indeed.
"My God, it's Christine Daae!" Marius exclaimed.
"That really is a woman then, Monsieur?" Eponine whispered.
"Yes, indeed. Traditionally the page-boy is played by a woman." Marius whispered back.
Eponine nodded and returned her attention back to the stage, where a portly man also wearing the extreme make-up had entered, accompanied by a rather small man dressed just like him. The portly man and the woman in the head-dress were currently singing just pure notes, holding the other's hand and doing a sort of dance in a circle. The man then left, and the woman in the head-dress turned to face the "maid," who had proceeded to tear off the skirt to reveal a page-boy's uniform.
"Serafimo, away with this pretense! You cannot speak, but kiss me in my husband's absence." The woman sang, holding up her fan in front of her face as she and the page-boy kissed.
"Poor fool, he makes me laugh, hahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Time I tried to get a better half!" the woman sang.
"Poor fool, he doesn't know, hohohoho! ! If he knew the truth he'd never ever go!" the woman and the three observers sang. The opened their mouths to continue with the song, but they were cut off by an ominous voice filling the theatre.
"DID I NOT INSTRUCT THAT BOX FIVE WAS TO BE KEPT EMPTY?" the voice rang out.
Eponine's head shot up, and she saw a figure clothed in black standing in the balcony above the stage, shielded by the chandelier. Squinting, Eponine craned her neck to try and get a better look at him, but to no avail.
"Monsieur Marius, there is someone up there!" Eponine said urgently.
"Your part is silent little toad!" the woman in the head-dress snapped. Eponine jumped, but saw that she was speaking to – what was the actress' name again? – Christine Daae, who must have spoken.
"Do not worry, 'Ponine. You are just seeing things," Marius assured her.
Eponine nodded, and when she looked back up at the balcony, the figure was gone.
Meanwhile, the Countess had gone over to the side to have some sort of liquid sprayed in her mouth before going back to center stage and telling the conductor to continue with the song.
"Serafimo, away with this pretense! You cannot speak, but kiss me in my huUUGH!" the Countess croaked, her eyes widening in surprise. Everyone in the audience gasped, but Eponine couldn't help but let out a little giggle. That, of course, led everyone else to laugh as well.
"Poor fool he makes me laugh, hahahaha! Haha – UGH! UGH!" the woman croaked, seeming unable to sing properly, only the frog-like sounds coming from her throat now. The audience broke into rapturous laughter, and the woman began to scream and cry, running off stage. The curtains were quickly closed, and only one actor was left in front of them, and he quickly ran off stage. Two men then entered, looking quite flustered.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize! The performance will continue in ten minutes time . . . when the role of the Countess will be played by Miss Daae!" the taller man announced, the shorter one grabbing the actress playing the page-boy from off stage, the audience applauding as soon as they saw her.
"Thank you!" the man said before ushering Christine off stage and turning back to the audience.
"Until then, we would crave your indulgence for a few moments." The tall man said.
"Meanwhile, we'd like to give you the ballet from Act Three of tonight's opera." The shorter man squeaked.
"What?" the conductor asked.
"Maestro . . . the-the-the um, the ballet, bring it forward, please." The short man stuttered.
"Thank you!" the tall man shouted before exiting the stage with his companion. The curtains then opened to reveal the dancers, sheep and flowery swings on the stage.
"The performance should improve now, right, Monsieur Marius?" Eponine asked.
"Pardon?" Marius asked.
"The Vicomte de Chagny, 'e said that Miss Daae was a better singer than that Carlotta, 'e did." Eponine said.
"Oh, that he did. Her father was a famous violinist, you know." Marius said.
"Really?" Eponine asked.
Marius nodded. "Yes. Tragically died a few years ago, though. Interesting story, that . . ." Marius began, but Eponine was no longer listening. Her eyes were on the ballet. Not because she was captivated by the dancers, but there were odd shadows on the stage. Shadows that were not coming from the dancers. There were two of them: one portly and clumsy, the other thin, tall, and agile. The taller shadow was chasing the portly one, and Eponine was sure that the tall shadow belonged to the man who was standing in the balcony.
"The Phantom of the Opera," Eponine gasped.
"What was that, 'Ponine?" Marius asked.
"Nothing, Monsieur Marius." Eponine said quickly. He would just dismiss it as her seeing things again. And maybe she was. Perhaps those shadows were just a trick of the light . . .
And then it fell down. A man. Eponine gasped, waiting for when he would hit the stage, but the rope around his neck caught him, and he began to jerk violently on it. The panic was immediate. People were screaming and the dancers fled. Finally, the man on the rope was still, and he fell onto the stage, dead. And Eponine recognized his figure. He was the portly man who was being chased by the thin one. The Phantom.
"Good God!" Marius exclaimed, standing up.
"Someone! Get a doctor for him! Get a doctor!" Marius shouted.
"Monsieur Marius! 'e is dead!" Eponine cried, standing up and facing him.
Marius stared at her, and back at the stage. Finally he turned back to her.
"I am sorry, 'Ponine, this was not what I had in mind. Come, let us leave." Marius said, taking Eponine's arm and leading her towards the exit, despite the two men's attempts to calm the audience.
As they waited on the snowy streets of Paris for Marius to catch a cab, Eponine turned her gaze back to the Opera House, and she ran her eyes over the beautiful marble sculptures, her eyes tracing its splendor all the way from the bottom to the top . . .
. . . and her eyes stopped the moment she reached the top. For, she could have sworn that she saw a dark figure lurking there.
Sooo, what do you think? I've never actually seen Les Mis, so forgive me if the beginning with the attack of Rue de Plumet was off. I'm just going by my CD and DVD of the Tenth Anniversary here. And no, this is not a one-shot. It will be a multi-chapter fic. Eponine's always been my favorite from Les Mis, and thought when I was re-watching Phantom the other day "Hey, you know what, that Phantom dude is pretty awesome. Plus, he's kinda like Eponine in that he's caught in an impossible love triangle . . . hey! They could totally get together!" And so I thought to write a crossover. I'm not sure, but I think this may be one of the longest fics I will ever write, because I sort of have an idea of how this story will progress, and just to warn you, with the way I'm thinking of it, it is going to be milked out. Or maybe I'll get really impatient and it'll go by super-fast. Who knows? Depends on how I feel about it. And I don't know if every chapter will be as long as this one, as it is the first chapter, and setting up the plot can potentially take a long time. So, yeah, that's about it. Review!
~FantasticMisticalWonder