Eponine quickly went to her room before taking her bath, she set the box of clothes down on her bed removing the robe and sleeping gown. She still couldn't believe that Marius had gotten her clothes. Even if it was with the help of his darling Cosette, he had still thought of her while they were out of touch. She at least meant something to him, even if it wasn't the way she always wanted. With a sigh she made her way to meet the innkeeper's wife outside a door.
"It should be nice and warm for you, dear," the woman said opening the door, "There are soaps and shampoos right by the side there."
"Thank you," Eponine gave her a grateful smile before stepping inside with the woman closing the door behind her. She walked over and sat on the edge of the tub as she removed her shoes then her thick knitted grey tights. She pulled off the baggy over worn dress and laid it on the floor before removing the rest of her garments and sinking into the warm water of the tub. A small sigh of contentment left her lips as she relaxed.
The rest of the group stayed down in the den of the inn, sharing drinks and laughs in good spirits. Even Enjolras enjoyed a cup of wine as he quietly enjoyed his friends' company. Unlike anyone else, he caught himself wondering what exactly happened on the train. That man was dead and even though he couldn't see any blood, he doubted that a man just died of nature causes while the train was speeding towards a collapsed bridge.
"Marius, Marius," Courfeyrac said getting his friend's attention and breaking Enjolras from his thoughts, "I have to ask. At the orphanage, did you and Eponine ever..."
"No," Marius said with a laugh. He was less surprised at the question due to the alcohol in his system, "No, no. We've always just been friends."
"She's quite the looker," Grantaire added, "I'm surprised nothing ever happened between the two of you."
"Please, that girl is my best friend," Marius said leaning forward against the table, "She's like a sister to me. Not to mention, relations of the sort were not allowed at the orphanage. It was one of the more stressed rules."
"Just wait until we get to Paris," Courfeyrac said, "The gents will be climbing over each other for her. Hey, Marius, do you think I have a chance."
Enjolras just rolled his eyes and cleared his throat getting his friends' attention, "Isn't she supposed to be a princess, mes amis? Might want to speak of her with a little more respect." Marius nodded his head in agreement. His friends became silent until Grantaire leaned back wrong and fell out of his chair. His friends bursting in laughter as he stood up clumsily with a smile. Enjolras stood from the table and made his way over to the stairs, wanting nothing more than to sleep so he would wake up in time to clean up before getting to the boat.
He made his way to his room, unbuttoning the top of his shirt as he walked. As he passed Eponine's room a light green piece of clothing caught his eyes. It was on the floor and slightly under her door, as though she dropped it on her way out of the room. He picked it up and looked it over realizing it was a night gown. He let out a sigh and cursed under his breath before turning on his heel to make his way to the room where she was bathing.
Eponine finished rinsing out her hair and stood from the tub, wrapping her body in a towel. She stepped out of the tub and took another towel to dry out her hair with one hand as the other reached for her night clothes. Only the robe was there.
"Damn," she said looking around not anticipating the knock on the door. She jumped a little bit, her foot landing in a small puddle causing her to slip towards the door. She put her arms out to brace herself but the door opened and instead she slid into someone with a squeak, causing them to slide into the opposite wall. A small grunt came from the man who was now holding on to her arms and she looked up to meet the blue eyes of Enjolras. Her hand was pressed against his chest while the other clutched the knot of the towel to ensure it didn't fall.
"I... uhm..," she licked her lips and looked back up at him, "I slipped." A small smirk pulled at the ends of his lips and a light chuckle escaped his throat.
"So much for grace," he joked as he brought his hand from her shoulder to brush some wet strands of hair from her face. She giggled softly at his words and gave a shy smile as he wiped her hair away. Part of her hand could feel the warm skin of his chest that peeked out from under his half buttoned shirt. His eyes looked over her face a bit before he realized her current state.
"Oh," he said looking up and away from her, "My apologies for intruding, I heard a thump and was worried you were hurt."
Eponine took a cue from him and stepped back almost hesitantly, "Why were you knocking?"
Enjolras held up the night gown while still looking away from her, "You dropped this outside your room. It was inappropriate for me to bring it to you, I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she said taking the clothing from his hand, "At least I didn't have to put back on my dirty dress after getting clean." She added a light chuckle hoping to help him feel more at ease with the situation. But he only gave a small smile before nodded and walking away down the hall. She watched him walk away and nibbled on her bottom lip. Part of her really didn't want him to just walk away and she didn't know why.
Eponine rose early, eager to start the day and get on the boat. She got dressed quickly and walked quietly through the house, bumping in the innkeeper's daughter.
"What are you doing awake so early?" she asked picking up the dishes she dropped. Eponine dropped down to help her.
"I'm an early riser I suppose," she answered with a chuckle and turn to see the girl's mother entering the room. She gave her a smile but kept about her business.
"M'am, I was wondering if there was anything I could do to pay you back for your hospitality," Eponine inquired and the woman turned around with a surprised expression.
"This is an inn, dear, you don't have to repay anything," she shook her head with a smile and walked back towards the kitchen with Eponine following closely.
"Please, I insist," the woman sighed and looked back at her with a questioning look, "At least help me prepare breakfast. I use to cook for the kids at the orphanage."
"You're an orphan?" the daughter asked with big eyes.
"Daughter, please," her mother snapped at her, "that is none of our business."
"It's alright," Eponine said, "Yes, I am, but the men in my company think that I have some family in Paris."
"Oh is that where you're headed?"
"Yes, it is," Eponine smiled at the girl and then looked back at her mother, "May I help with breakfast?" The woman rolled her eyes and nodded with a smirk.
"If you insist Miss," she gave her instructions on what to do and Eponine went to work. When they were almost done cooking the woman came over and looked her up and down.
"That is a beautiful dress, but it seems it's too big on you." she looked the dress over.
"Yes, well it was a gift from a friend and they weren't expecting my size," Eponine shrugged.
"I'm sure we have some belts that could help make it look better on your frame," the daughter offered, "And I could do your hair. Make that handsome man's mouth drop when he sees you."
"Handsome man," Eponine raised an eyebrow at the girl.
"The blonde one," she said as she kept working, "he glances at you a lot."
"Please stop being so bold," her mother scolded her but Eponine just laughed.
"If you'd like to help me get ready for the day I wouldn't argue," she offered suddenly a little nervous about the way she looked. The girl got excited and looked for permission from her mother who just rolled her eyes and nodded. The food was almost ready so she didn't need their help anyway and Eponine let the girl lead her upstairs and to her room. She was going to get made over by Cosette when she got to Paris anyway, why not try and get herself ready now and see how her new friends thought of it.
As morning came and all the boys awoke, some with hangovers, Enjolras announced that breakfast would be ready soon. He was already dressed and his blonde hair was still damp from his own bath that he had earlier. All the other men moved slowly except for Combeferre and Joly who didn't have as much to drink.
"We'll take a carriage to the docks that are just outside of the town," Enjolras told them as they made their way downstairs, "It'll be a few days before we reach Germany. We can continue Eponine's lessons then." Combeferre nodded as they walked and Joly let out a happy sigh as the smell of food filled the air.
"I'm starved," he said walking over to the large table.
"Well we've prepared a nice breakfast for you lads," the woman said with a smile.
"It smells heavenly, m'am," Combeferre said bowing his head with a smile.
"You can thank your friend for that," She responded as she continued placing the dishes around the table.
"Friend?" Marius asked as he joined them.
"Is there anymore of that wine left." Grantaire asked the woman with a smirk but she shook her head at him.
"It's far too early for you to be drinking, sir," a disappointed look crossed Grantaire's face as he sat down, "Miss Eponine helped us. She awoke earlier than any of you and insisted on helping us prepare breakfast."
"Old habits die hard," Marius commented taking his own seat.
"What do you mean?" Enjolras asked with a perked eyebrow.
"At the orphanage, she would help prepare meals when she got older," Marius said with a shrug.
"Even the time she was not allowed to eat?" his questioned was only answered with a nod.
"M'am, do you know where she is?" Combeferre asked the innkeeper's wife as she walked around.
"Oh, my daughter is helping her get ready for the day," she answered simply, "She'll be down soon."
The boys were silent besides occasional small conversations and questions as the table was finished being prepared. Enjolras looked up towards the steps as he heard light steps coming down it. Eponine emerged dressed in one of the dresses Marius gave her the night before. While still a bit big due to Marius not anticipating her small size, it still fit better than the ratty dress she had been wearing. It was a shade of blue that seemed to make her skin glow, and a belt kept it bound around her waste so it didn't look baggy. She was wearing a fresh pair of tights and it looked as though her shoes had been cleaned. Her hair was mostly down, with only a little bit tied up with a ribbon.
Enjolras took in her appearance with big eyes, as though he was seeing her for the first time. Combeferre, noticing his friend's expression, turned to take notice of the girl as well causing him to smile a bit. All the men began to follow suite, taking in their female friend's new appearance with a smile. As she walked into the room she looked around at them all.
"What?" she said looking down at her dress.
"Well, well," Grantaire said with a smirk as he stood and took her hand gently, "Don't you look beautiful." He kissed her hand and she gave him a soft smile.
Marius stood to slide her chair out for her and she couldn't help but giggle as she sat down next to her friend. Her eyes fell on Enjolras who looked as though he was still processing her presence. He was at a loss for words since she entered the room so he just gave her a small smile accompanied with a soft nod as though he was approving her appearance. She returned the smile with a proud look in her eyes. For some reason, his reaction was the one she was most nervous about.