"Enjolras! At Notre Dame the sections are prepared!"

"At Rue de Bac they're straining at the leash!"

"Students, workers, everyone! There's a river on the run! Like the flowing of the tide, Paris coming to our side!"

"Everyone, listen to me! The time is so close! The people of Paris can feel the blood stirring in their veins! But we must beware. Grantaire, no more drinking!" I sent a stern look at my friend, whom at that very moment was taking a swig from his bottle. "And that includes all of you. The army we're fighting is far more dangerous than you imagine it to be. We may have strength but we'll never have the men and the arms they control. Understand that they may be easy enough to pick off one at a time but we're talking about the National Guard! What we need is a symbol to rally the people of Paris! Under that will we become one!"

The men responded enthusiastically with cheers of triumph. My heart swelled with pride at the thought of what we were doing. This revolution could change the country and the lives of or people for the better! Just then Marius ran in, eyes bright yet distant. A young woman with dark hair and a ragged dress followed in after him and I felt my gaze soften. Eponine. She caught my gaze, a beautiful smile gracing her lips, and my heart thumped wildly in my chest. I regained my composure quickly though and turned back to my men, about to speak, when I realized they had all surrounded Marius. Sighing in exasperation, I looked to Eponine, whom had made her way to my side.

"Hello love." She greeted me, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. "How is the planning coming?"

"It would be going a lot better if my men would actually listen to me." I wrapped my arm around her waist, leaning my head on top of hers.

"Nonsense. You're a great leader and your men respect you." She smiled. I looked down at her, eyes shining with love. Her dark eyes gazed lovingly back at me and I found myself practically drowning in them.

"So tell me, what has Marius looking so distant this evening?" I asked her, looking over at where the students had gathered.

"He's in love." Eponine grinned mischievously. I sighed.

"I'll have to talk to him."

I leaned down and placed a quick kiss upon her lips, then made my way to where Grantaire was now standing upon a table.

"I am agog, I am aghast! Is Marius in love at last? I have never heard him 'ooh' and 'ah'. You talk of battles to be won! And here he comes like Don Juan! It is better than an opera!"

The students all applauded in laughter and Grantaire made a great show of bowing and scraping. I grimaced and pulled him down by his collar, looking seriously at the group surrounding me.

"Now is the time to decide who we are. Does this revolution mean no more to you than a night at the opera? Have you asked yourselves the price you are willing to pay for our cause? Is this just a game for all of you rich boys to play? Our world is changing day by day! Our world is red like the blood of angry men and the world that is about to dawn! Our world is black like the dark of ages past and the night that is finally coming to an end!"

I was about to say more when Marius leapt onto the table, speaking of love and the events of that night. I felt a hand on my back and spun to see Eponine looking at me in sympathy. I smiled softly at her and turned back to the lovesick boy in front of me.

"Red!"

"I feel my soul on fire!"

"Black!"

"My world if she's not there!"

"Red!"

"The color of desire!"

"Black!"

"The color of despair!"

I pulled Marius down from the table and quietly spoke to him.

"Marius, you're no longer a child, and I know that you mean well, but you've got to stay focused! I know what it's like to be in love but the revolution must come before all else! I've learned that with Eponine, now you must learn that with your love." I raised my voice for the others to hear. "Our little lives count for nothing next to the country we are fighting for!"

The others shouted in agreement and I felt relief in the knowledge I had regained their attention. I raised up the chant for freedom.

"Red! The blood of angry men!"

"Black! The dark of ages past!"

"Red! A world about to dawn!"

"Black! The night that ends at last!"

As we chanted I caught Eponine's gaze, her eyes blazing with spirit and love, and I was filled with a new determination. Eponine, you are my Patria. I fight for you.

With my spirits raised, I quickly began shouting out orders as little Gavroche raced into the Café.

"Courfeyrac, do we have all the guns? Feuilly, Combferre, our time is running short!"

"Everybody listen!"

"Grantaire, put that bottle down! Do we have the guns we need?"

"Give me brandy on my breathe and I'll breathe them all to death!"

"LISTEN EVERYBODY!" Gavroche shouted. "General Lamarque is dead."

My heart dropped to my feet. This was a stunning blow to our cause.

"Lamarque is dead."

Or was it?

"Lamarque…his death is the hour of fate! The people's man! His death is the sign we await!"

The fire in their eyes was ablaze again!

"On his funeral day they will honor his name! With the light of rebellion ablaze in their eyes! In the death of Lamarque we will kindle the flame! On the tomb of Lamarque shall our barricade rise!"

Cheers erupted from the students, growing more spirited every minute!

"The time is near! Let us welcome it gladly with courage and cheer! Let us take to the streets with no doubt in our hearts! But a jubilant shout! They will come one and all!"

The entire café joined in our final cry!

"They will come when we call!"

As I looked out over the crowd I felt a fire blazing in my heart. A new strength stirred within me as I realized the reality of the situation. The barricade would go up. The battle would come. I stepped down from my place and grabbed a red tablecloth from the table, holding it out in front of me.

"Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men. It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again! When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums, there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!"

Combferre stepped up.

"Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Beyond the barricade, is there a world you long to see?"

Courfeyrac joined him.

"Then join in the fight that will give you the right to be free!"

The café rose up in our cry, red tablecloths waving and people shouting!

"Do you hear the people sing! Singing the song of angry men! It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again! When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums, there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!"

We raced out into the streets, banners waving, running, shouting, cheering! The air rang with our voices! I found Eponine at my side and firmly took hold of her hand, smiling brightly and waving the flag in my other hand. Feuilly jumped up on a crate.

"Will you give all you can give so that our banner may advance? Some will fall and some will live, will you stand up and take your chance? The blood of the martyrs will water the meadows of France!"

By now, others had joined us. Mothers, fathers, wives, sisters, brothers; all were taking up our call!

"Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men! It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again! When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums, there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!"

As we raced through the streets of Paris, Marius came up beside us, looking for Eponine.

"'Ponine, have you found her?" he asked with hopeful eyes.

"Found who?" I asked.

"Marius's lark." Eponine teased. "He asked me to find where she lives. I'll be back as soon as I show him, I promise." She assured me, leaning up to lay a gentle kiss on my lips. I smiled when she pulled back and squeezed her hand.

"I will wait for you 'Ponine." I grinned.

I kissed her again and we parted ways, her with Marius, and I with the revolution.