LARK

Autumn left, and with the fresh fallen snow, and Christmas time, the Thenardier Inn was almost busy. Eponine and Azelma were fitted for new velvet gowns that the family could by no means afford. The old ones were sold, all except one that is, which was given to the Lark. Monsieur and Madame Thenardier put their best tricks to use, and the family was again able to buy more food than ever before.

The white dusted windows of the inn sent a warm golden glow into the streets, and warbling tavern songs blew out the ever opening door. With the thick new boots she'd received from Marius, Cosette didn't mind the freezing walk through the woods. In fact, she could usually be seen skipping through the dreary darkness, beaming with excitement.

Marius kept true to his menacing words, and came once or twice to stay in the inn, keeping his light purse strapped to his person, and never touching a drop of liquor. On one such occasion, Azelma had glared at Cosette, and promptly sat herself in the young gentleman's lap. In his outrage, Marius stood up so fast that Azelma, in her low-neck-purple gown had fallen to the floor. Utterly crushing her bustle. Cosette had bitten her lip to keep from laughing.

The girls had learned that without Cosette singing and smiling as she went about the place, there would be no young gentlemen at all. Needless to say, they ceased their old tricks. But replaced them with far less obvious ones. Tripping the girl as she carried a tray of scalding coco, leaving burn marks across her face and hands. Tearing holes in her new dress. Or their favorite, spilling out the water bucket early, so the Lark would have to go to the well alone.

Still, she kept her chin up. She couldn't remember a happier time in her life. Her Baron had done so much for her. The only thing she felt she needed to complete her happiness was to give him something in return.

One night, when Madame was so slouching with liquor that her beady eyes were sliding this way and that, Cosette plucked up her courage. "Madame?"

"Ehh"

"Well, Madame, seeing as how the Baron has been so kind to me, and, well," she set down her broom, and pulled up a chair opposite the elephantine woman, "It is Christmas time, and,"

"Spit it out girl!"

"Is there anything extra that I might do, so I could give him something?"

Madame began to cough loudly. Cosette had seen this routine before. It was something the woman used to distract her opponents while she thought of what to say. Usually what came next was not pleasant.

"Please Madame, I will give up rations, and, and I'll work later every night."

Madame stopped coughing. Cosette held her breath. "Cosette dear, you'll work yourself to death that way." The Lark was still not adjusted to this new sickly sweet tone. "I don't think that would be possible. We're tight on money as it is. We don't have anything to spare on a man who's already rich enough to spend his precious coins on an ugly scullery drudge."

"Yes Madame."

"I'm sure you'll find your own way to thank him." The Thenardiess reached out to pat the girl's hand. She drew it back instinctively.

"Yes Madame."

BARON

Courfeyrac and Marius told each other everything. Except where they went late at night. Every night. Courfeyrac finished school at three, and would often join Marius at the Translation Center for a few hours. Then slip off, to some strange outing. Marius assumed at first, that he was meeting a mistress (His new friend did talk often of women) but the meetings seemed far too close together for that.

Courfeyrac too was convinced the Baron was seeing someone. "Who is she?" Was the nightly question.

"Moonlight," Marius always replied. "I like walking around in the dark, and thinking things."

"Sure you do," Courfeyrac would laugh, "Someday I'll get a name out of you Pontmercy, you'll see. I don't see why you're so embarrassed." Marius wasn't embarrassed of course, but Courfeyrac couldn't possibly understand the delicacy of the situation. He couldn't know.

One stormy night however Marius came home at the late hour of 1:30 am, to find his friend still awake.

"Couldn't sleep," he said in explanation. "Marius, I have something of great importance to tell you. I think you'll be very excited to hear it."

"Really?" Marius pulled up a noisy chair, and put his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. "Well let's hear it then."

"It comes with a price."

"A price? Courf, you know full well I have no money."

"This is an opportunity for you to earn money. A very good one. Much better wages than that translator shop you work at, and much better job satisfaction. I will tell you where I go at night, and I invite you to come with me. My only requirement is that you tell me your little secret in return."

Marius sighed. His friend's offer was indeed very tempting. "A good deal more?"

"Yes," Courfeyrac nodded eagerly.

"And it is honorable work?"

"The most honorable."

The Baron pursed his lips. "Alright then, you shall know. But Courfeyrac. You must not think that I would ever do anything...dishonorable with this girl, she-"

"Ah so it is a girl then!" Courfeyrac laughed, "I knew it!"

"This is serious."

"Of course." The youthful face was still guffawing on the inside, but he sucked his cheeks in so as not to smile.

"Her name is Cosette, and she is an angel."

"I'm sure she is."

"But she is unlawfully enslaved. She cannot leave...the place where she lives will remain undisclosed..." Courfeyrac snorted here. "Except at midnight when she goes to the well in the woods. I meet her there every night. I've been saving money so one day we may marry. But...it is a slow process."

"Well my friend, allow me to help you with this dilemma. Come with me to the Cafe Musain at 5:00 sharp tomorrow night. My friend Rene Enjolras has agreed to hire you, if you'll take the job."

"And what exactly is this job?"

"We're revolutionising france."

"What?" He was laughing in that nervous childish way again. He hated that laugh.

"You said you hated Louis Philippe"

"I do, but-"

"Well, we're going to tear him down. What do you say?"