A/N: I really hope you all enjoy this story! I have a really strong love fore Les Miserables and for these two characters specifically. I promise, you won't be disappointed with this story. I have great plans! Please review and let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own any of Les Miserables, nor do I own the characters. Throes rights all go to Victor Hugo and Cameron Mackintosh ;)
Happiness That I Have Never Known
Chapter One: A Speech of Revolt
Eponine Thenardier woke on a damp corner of the street. She looked around to see if anyone surrounded her and she saw no one. She rubbed her eyes, wiping off the crust in the corners. With a deep breath, she lifted herself up from the ground. A cramp resided in her lower abdomen, making her fall to the ground again. She grunted, rolling her eyes and got back up again, ignoring any pain she had felt. Eponine was tough like that.
She had slept in an alleyway the night before to keep out of the rain. There was a horrible storm that Eponine could not get shelter from. Her dear friend, Marius, offered for her to sleep at his flat, but she didn't want his pity. After a long night of barely any sleep, she had suddenly wished she took up his offer.
Eponine noticed a large crowd walking in one direction and she headed out of the alleyway to see where they were all headed. She noticed Grantaire, a friend of Marius', headed in the same direction of them all. She kept up her pace to catch up to him, "Grantaire!" she called out.
He turned around to see her standing on the sidewalk. He took a swig of the bottle in his hand, and walked over. "'Ponine what are you doing?"
"What is going on? Why is everyone headed that way?" She asked curiously.
"Haven't you heard? Marius and Enjolras are making their big speech today for the revolution. As a matter of fact, I haven't seen Marius yet this morning. You reckon where the fellow might be?" He raised a brow at her.
Eponine smirked at the thought of Marius and, even though she hid it, was glad that Grantaire figured she would know of his whereabouts. "I have an idea, he'll be there!" Eponine gave him a farewell smile and headed toward his flat. She fought through the crowd that was running the opposite direction. When she reached Marius' flat she opened the front door, climbed up the flight of stairs and into his room.
Marius Pontmercy had money, in fact, he was very rich but he did not like to admit it. His family supported Napoleon, and this upset Marius. He had different political views and ran away to be on his own and fight for his own beliefs. The only thing that disappointed Eponine was that he pretended as if he were poor when really he wasn't. She sometimes felt as if he were trying to mock her. But she didn't want to think of Marius that way. He was a kind and beautiful man who has done nothing but be a good friend to Eponine. Except she only wished it were more than a friendship.
When Eponine opened the door she found him still sleeping on his mattress. She was jealous that he had something to sleep on. To most, a mattress on the ground is very uncomfortable. But to Eponine, it's the closest she will ever get to an actual bed.
Before waking him, she watched him as he slept. She admired the shape of his face, and the way his lips parted ever so slightly and curved into a smile. She took note of all the freckles that grazed his cheeks and nose and the way his brown curls hung over his forehead perfectly. Eponine wanted so badly to crawl in between his arms and lay with him, but he had to attend to the public to present. She bent down over him and shook his body awaking him almost immediately.
"'Ponine! What are you doing here?" He sat up leaning against the wall rubbing his eyes.
"Why, Monsieur! Your people wait!" Eponine chuckled.
"My speech! I'm late!" Marius darted up rushing to grab all the flyers that rested at his bedside. Eponine watched from the doorframe as Marius ran around his room. Quickly he ran past Eponine, but then turned around touching her arm. "Thank you, Eponine, for waking me up. I honestly do not know what I would do without you," he smiled kissing her cheek then continued to run back down the stairs.
Eponine found her knees becoming weak and she fell against the doorframe closing her eyes with the biggest smile upon her face. She sighed, "If only he knew."
Enjolras waited for his good friend, Marius, for them both to make the big speech to the people of France. But as usual, he was late. He watched as the group of people crowded around the stage waiting for Marius and himself to make their appearance and say what they had to say. Enjolras' foot was tapping, not out of nervousness – no, he doesn't get nervous – but of impatience. He and Marius had been planning this moment for weeks. Now the day is here and, of course, Marius doesn't show up.
Out of his side-vision, a bottle was being handed to him, and Enjolras knew who it was. "Grantaire, this isn't a drunken matter." He rolled his eyes looking upon the crowd for Marius.
"In my life, I've learned it's always a drunken matter," Grantaire winked, plopping next to Enjolras' side.
Enjolras' jaw was clenched and his foot tapped as he still skimmed to crowd, "He's late."
"Ah, that's just Marius for you. He'll be here. There's no one he cares about more than you!" Grantaire slapped his shoulder for reassurance. But it didn't reassure Enjolras one bit. The only reassurance he would have is if Marius would actually show up on time for once. "You look nice. Where's that red coat from?"
Enjolras looked down at his attire and wiped the little bit of dirt on his left sleeve. As a habit of stress, he ran his hand through his dirty blonde curly hair. "I bought it yesterday at a shop not too far from the café. I figured it suited the revolution well."
"Indeed it does my friend," he sipped his whiskey once again. "Ah, there he is!" Grantaire pointed with his bottle still in hand.
Marius rushed to Enjolras and a girl in whom Enjolras was unfamiliar with was at his side. "My apologies for being late," he looked down as he presented himself to Enjolras.
Enjolras stood up at his level, "Never again, Marius. The revolution doesn't have time for tardiness. If you're late, you are dead. No exceptions."
Marius gulped down his spit realizing how right Enjolras was. When Enjolras made his way to the stage Eponine grabbed Marius' arm. "That is who you've been spending all your time with? I thought Enjolras was inspiring. All he seems like to me is just some self-centered snob. How is he the 'People's Man'?"
Marius sighed and whispered to Eponine, "He just isn't a people's person. Look, 'Ponine, he is really inspiring. Just listen to his speech and you will see what I mean." He patted her shoulder and headed to the stage alongside of Enjolras who was looking directly at Eponine. She made eye contact, confused on why he was looking at her so intently. She dropped eye contact from him and went out into the crowd to watch.
Eponine wasn't sure on how she felt about Enjolras. She had never met him before and to be honest, that was not the first impression she was expecting from him. Marius had gotten her ready to meet an exceptional, inspirational man. But all Eponine could see was a rich snob who was doing this only for the admiration of the people. The only thing, Eponine thought, he had going for him was his looks. He was a very attractive gentleman. If only he had the personality to go with it, Eponine thought.
"Citizens, gentleman, people," Enjolras spoke. The crowd became quiet. "It is time for us all to decide who we are. We need men – strong men. Strong men who are willing fight and die for your people… for your country… for Patria. Some are willing and some are not. But we need to know who we can rely on when this revolution takes place. May I remind you that this isn't a time to procrastinate – we can't put off our decisions until tomorrow. No. The time is now and we revolutionaries need to always be ready. So, where are my leaders?" Members of the crowd raised their hands, even Eponine did. Enjolras nodded his head smirking at the revolutionaries he has already gained. "General Lamarque is ill. They say his time is fading quickly. With his death comes the Judgment Day and we must be prepared to fight for what we believe in. We have no time to lose. So now, who is with us?" When Enjolras ended his speech, the entire crowed roared. Everyone was with him. Enjolras smiled once again as he pumped his fist into the air along with Marius. He was proud of himself, and proud of what he created.
Eponine chuckled at the proud smirk Enjolras had plastered upon his lips. She knew that this was the acknowledgment he wanted. She was disgusted in people like him. He was fighting for the people, but yet, he doesn't know the people. He doesn't understand them. To Eponine, all Enjolras seemed like was a fraud.
Marius spoke as he handed out his flyers, "We meet tonight at the ABC café. Don't be late!" Enjolras looked as he said those last words nudging Marius.
Eponine made her way to the side of the stage where Grantaire still sat. Enjolras and Marius came down the steps. "Well? Was that inspirational enough for you?" Marius chuckled nudging Eponine.
She giggled along. "I must admit, I was impressed. You speak well," she complimented Enjolras.
"Thank you," Enjolras spoke and then turned to Marius almost as he was somewhat ignoring Eponine. She rolled her eyes. "Marius, I need you to be at the café on time tonight. No more… distractions." He grimaced glancing at Eponine.
"I promise. I will be there on time. In fact, I'll be there early!" Marius pointed at Enjolras assuring him. But Enjolras had had enough assurance for the day. He wanted persistence.
"Ha," huffed Grantaire. "That'll be the day."
Marius glanced at Eponine, "Shall we go?"
Eponine nodded and Marius started towards the market area.
Enjolras took one last good look at Eponine before they were off, noticing her scraps of clothing. Her long dark skirt grazed the ground but ripped all around the bottom. Her clothes hadn't ever once been washed and she was skin and bones – it seemed as if she hadn't eaten in weeks. Her face was absolutely beautiful but scarred. There is a bruise just below her left eye. Her whole body was covered in filth. People like Eponine were the people Enjolras was fighting for and for them to have a place in the world. He gave her a nod as she looked at him, and he watched her as she left. No wonder Marius spends so much time with her, Enjolras thought to himself. She deserves so much.
Eponine caught up with Marius who she saw was not alone. She saw him with a girl and they were gazing at each other. "Forgive me, I didn't see you there," said Marius. The girl didn't say anything. They kept looking at each other. Before she spoke, a man grabbed her pulling her away.
The man was grumbling as he shoved past Eponine, "Cosette, we must go home now." Eponine looked, watching where they turned keeping her eye close on the girl. She was blonde, blue-eyed and beautiful. She turned back to Marius who was still looking at her.
Suddenly, Eponine felt a pit in her stomach, and it wasn't just the hunger. "Cosette," Eponine whispered. "Now I remember."
What's become of me, she thought.
