Fan-Fiction Story
Disclaimer: I don't own Les Miserables, because if I did I would be walking around speaking French as Victor Hugo's descendant. Note: Flames will be used to roast marshmallows on and make popcorn.
Chapter 1:
Eponine gazed around. From her hiding spot on the top step of the stairs, she could see everyone slowly picking themselves up from where they were sitting, and exiting, some throwing murmurs and exchanges to people over their shoulders. Thenardier and his wife were picking up glasses, plates, and little tidbits left behind from their guests. Eponine had always wondered why her father hadn't been an honest man, but she never questioned him considering when he brought these tidbits into town, he came back with money and beautiful things for her mother and her.
"G'night Monsieur, safe journey," Thenardier called to a man as he went to close the door of the inn. "I tell you my dear, business ain't what it once was. But we fixed that din't we? Looks at what we'ze got only this ev'in'!" He walked toward his wife as he said this to where she was behind the bar top. He revealed a small brown bag and began removing its contents.
"Pocket watch, eh? You think it's real gold?" asked Madame Thenardier.
"I wouldn't doubt it. See the gent I took it off? Musta been. These pearls'll fetch a nice price, eh?"
"They won't fetch nothing cause they is mine!" She nearly fell down grabbing the necklace from his grasp. Thenardier picked himself up and with a snort, once again began sorting the bag's treasures.
After some jewels, money, and other various items were spread across the tabletop, recollected, and placed in a safety locked cabinet, Madame looked around at the tavern. The place looked as it did before the guests had come to spend the evening, yet that did not please her. Thenardier noticed his wife's worried glances and came to her side.
"What is it, poppet?"
"That girl! She's been gone since afore sundown. Wait 'til I get my hands 'round her savage little neck!"
Eponine shuttered upon her stair. She knew what would happen when her mother found her. It would not be an easy night, for anyone. She watched in fright as her mother waddled as fast as she could towards the kitchen, and seconds later, she heard her mother's screaming voice.
"Cosette! Get yer filthy hide in 'ere if you know what's good for ya!"
Eponine remembered sitting in the very same spot many nights watching her mother ridicule the young girl while her father beat and hurt her. Eponine didn't know much about Cosette, expect that the two children weren't allowed to be anywhere near one another. However, Eponine and Cosette had an unspoken pact that neither had agreed to, but was followed. Influenced by her parents, Eponine pointed and made faces at the poor girl, but Cosette knew that behind the faces and the name-calling, Eponine was dying to have one friend in the world.
Sitting still, she recalled three nights ago when her father had caught Cosette in the forest with stolen food from the family's pantry. He had given her a black eye and a lot of foul words. Even a threat.
"If you don't stop screaming and start listening, you'll be done for! You should be grateful and instead you betray our trust! Steal from us again, and you will find yourself out among the beggars and whores as fast as my fist can punch you!"
The idea that her father's thoughts could spill out like that on a mere child was mind blowing.
She heard the door open and footsteps approaching. She heard her father push back his chair and her mother drawn breath to scream, when suddenly, silence. Her mother and father, from what she could see, stood in shock at what stood before them. Eponine strained her neck until she saw Cosette holding a strange man's hand.
"Oh, Monsieur. Can we ever repay for bringing our dear baby child 'ome to us?"
"I found her wandering in the woods, sir. She was trembling in the shadows. She led me here. Tell me, this young girl. Is her name Cosette?"
"Indeed Monsieur. We are her guardians while her mother works in Montreuil-Sur-Mer," grinned Thenardier while drawing Cosette into his arms. Eponine could she her father's toothless smile as she stepped down two steps for a better look.
"Which is where I have journeyed from. I have just been from the side of that child's mother, Fantine."
"Oh, darling Fantine," cried Madame Thenardier. "How is she? Hasn't been here since Christmas, she hasn't."
"Unfortunately, she won't be back again. Fantine died of complications three nights ago. That is why I have journeyed..."
Madame Thenardier sunk into a chair and pulled a handkerchief out of her apron. "Fantine? Dead? Why, why of all people? Why did God choose her?" She blew her nose very loudly and proceeded to sob heavily.
"Actually, Madame, I take it as a sign from God. He obviously..."
"What are you insinuating, Monsieur?" asked Thenardier, who had broken off his very loud sighing when he heard this man speak.
"I had done something terrible, something dreadful, to Fantine. In any case, as she was on her deathbed, I promised that I would take Cosette and treat her as my own child. I cannot break that vow, sir. Such a thing would make my life unbearable. That is why I ask that Cosette come away to live with me."
"Oh, Monsieur. We do not know you. We do not know if you are a thief or a murderer who 'as come to 'arm this child. If so, I dub you a cruel man who will have to explain 'imslef to the Almighty Christ in 'eaven."
"No need for worry, sir," smiled the man as he reached into his coat pocket. "Fantine bestowed this letter upon me to give to you as proof. I will gladly pay you, even, to take this child into my care."
Thenardier studied the letter, then glanced back at the man.
"Monsieur Madeleine? Where 'ave I 'eard that name?"
"Darling, ain't he the Mayor in...Monsieur. Are you this Mayor?"
"Yes Madame. Now, I believe 500 francs will suffice quite enough."
"Monsieur Mayor, you run a town. You will 'ave no use for this 'ere child. We will gladly keep 'er in our care." Thenardier picked up Cosette again, whom he had put down to read the letter.
"I have resigned from my position as Mayor. The town is in good hands, have no fear. Cosette please. 500 francs, sir."
Madame took the money and placed it down on the table before them.
"Sir, that would suffice well enough, had poor Cosette not taken ill quite so often as she did. Of course all the proper medicines where purchased on her behalf. For, as Christians, what more could we do for her?" Behind her, Thenardier did a poor imitation of the sign of the cross.
"Naturally. I don't doubt you are good and just citizens who care dearly for Cosette. Very well. 1000 francs for you both. Thank you sincerely." He held out his arms for Cosette.
Madame picked up the letter once more and whispered something to her husband that Eponine could not make out.
"Right you are, my love. Monsieur, you say this letter came directly from Fantine. Pardon me for saying this but, there are expert forgers along our roads. Anyone could 'ave..."
"Sir, I ask you not to speak another syllable. 1500 francs in exchange for Cosette. I must be leaving presently, for my patience has run extremely short."
He slapped the money onto the table, which simultaneously occurred with Thenardier's dropping Cosette. Cosette ran from his arms into the arms of the stranger. Eponine could here whispers between the two, as her parents gaped at the fortune before them.
"I bid you adieu. I hope you and your wife have a long and healthy life. Come Cosette. Say goodbye to your guardians."
In a feeble voice, Cosette uttered, "Goodbye Sir, Madame," she glanced towards the stairs. "Eponine."
And with that, they were gone.
Eponine ran to her room, which had the view of the front walkway. She saw Cosette hugging the man. She heard Cosette muttering to the man.
"Monsieur, are you my father?"
"Indeed I am, Cosette. I will make your life fantastic."
"Will we see castles? And children? And eat good food? And sleep in warm beds? And..."
"Yes, yes! We will see it all once we arrive in Paris," chuckled Valjean.
Eponine sat in her room many moments after her friend and the stranger vanished from sight. She heard her parents rejoicing. She heard their cries of joy. Then, she heard the stumbling of feet below her, and resumed her place on the top step.
Disclaimer: I don't own Les Miserables, because if I did I would be walking around speaking French as Victor Hugo's descendant. Note: Flames will be used to roast marshmallows on and make popcorn.
Chapter 1:
Eponine gazed around. From her hiding spot on the top step of the stairs, she could see everyone slowly picking themselves up from where they were sitting, and exiting, some throwing murmurs and exchanges to people over their shoulders. Thenardier and his wife were picking up glasses, plates, and little tidbits left behind from their guests. Eponine had always wondered why her father hadn't been an honest man, but she never questioned him considering when he brought these tidbits into town, he came back with money and beautiful things for her mother and her.
"G'night Monsieur, safe journey," Thenardier called to a man as he went to close the door of the inn. "I tell you my dear, business ain't what it once was. But we fixed that din't we? Looks at what we'ze got only this ev'in'!" He walked toward his wife as he said this to where she was behind the bar top. He revealed a small brown bag and began removing its contents.
"Pocket watch, eh? You think it's real gold?" asked Madame Thenardier.
"I wouldn't doubt it. See the gent I took it off? Musta been. These pearls'll fetch a nice price, eh?"
"They won't fetch nothing cause they is mine!" She nearly fell down grabbing the necklace from his grasp. Thenardier picked himself up and with a snort, once again began sorting the bag's treasures.
After some jewels, money, and other various items were spread across the tabletop, recollected, and placed in a safety locked cabinet, Madame looked around at the tavern. The place looked as it did before the guests had come to spend the evening, yet that did not please her. Thenardier noticed his wife's worried glances and came to her side.
"What is it, poppet?"
"That girl! She's been gone since afore sundown. Wait 'til I get my hands 'round her savage little neck!"
Eponine shuttered upon her stair. She knew what would happen when her mother found her. It would not be an easy night, for anyone. She watched in fright as her mother waddled as fast as she could towards the kitchen, and seconds later, she heard her mother's screaming voice.
"Cosette! Get yer filthy hide in 'ere if you know what's good for ya!"
Eponine remembered sitting in the very same spot many nights watching her mother ridicule the young girl while her father beat and hurt her. Eponine didn't know much about Cosette, expect that the two children weren't allowed to be anywhere near one another. However, Eponine and Cosette had an unspoken pact that neither had agreed to, but was followed. Influenced by her parents, Eponine pointed and made faces at the poor girl, but Cosette knew that behind the faces and the name-calling, Eponine was dying to have one friend in the world.
Sitting still, she recalled three nights ago when her father had caught Cosette in the forest with stolen food from the family's pantry. He had given her a black eye and a lot of foul words. Even a threat.
"If you don't stop screaming and start listening, you'll be done for! You should be grateful and instead you betray our trust! Steal from us again, and you will find yourself out among the beggars and whores as fast as my fist can punch you!"
The idea that her father's thoughts could spill out like that on a mere child was mind blowing.
She heard the door open and footsteps approaching. She heard her father push back his chair and her mother drawn breath to scream, when suddenly, silence. Her mother and father, from what she could see, stood in shock at what stood before them. Eponine strained her neck until she saw Cosette holding a strange man's hand.
"Oh, Monsieur. Can we ever repay for bringing our dear baby child 'ome to us?"
"I found her wandering in the woods, sir. She was trembling in the shadows. She led me here. Tell me, this young girl. Is her name Cosette?"
"Indeed Monsieur. We are her guardians while her mother works in Montreuil-Sur-Mer," grinned Thenardier while drawing Cosette into his arms. Eponine could she her father's toothless smile as she stepped down two steps for a better look.
"Which is where I have journeyed from. I have just been from the side of that child's mother, Fantine."
"Oh, darling Fantine," cried Madame Thenardier. "How is she? Hasn't been here since Christmas, she hasn't."
"Unfortunately, she won't be back again. Fantine died of complications three nights ago. That is why I have journeyed..."
Madame Thenardier sunk into a chair and pulled a handkerchief out of her apron. "Fantine? Dead? Why, why of all people? Why did God choose her?" She blew her nose very loudly and proceeded to sob heavily.
"Actually, Madame, I take it as a sign from God. He obviously..."
"What are you insinuating, Monsieur?" asked Thenardier, who had broken off his very loud sighing when he heard this man speak.
"I had done something terrible, something dreadful, to Fantine. In any case, as she was on her deathbed, I promised that I would take Cosette and treat her as my own child. I cannot break that vow, sir. Such a thing would make my life unbearable. That is why I ask that Cosette come away to live with me."
"Oh, Monsieur. We do not know you. We do not know if you are a thief or a murderer who 'as come to 'arm this child. If so, I dub you a cruel man who will have to explain 'imslef to the Almighty Christ in 'eaven."
"No need for worry, sir," smiled the man as he reached into his coat pocket. "Fantine bestowed this letter upon me to give to you as proof. I will gladly pay you, even, to take this child into my care."
Thenardier studied the letter, then glanced back at the man.
"Monsieur Madeleine? Where 'ave I 'eard that name?"
"Darling, ain't he the Mayor in...Monsieur. Are you this Mayor?"
"Yes Madame. Now, I believe 500 francs will suffice quite enough."
"Monsieur Mayor, you run a town. You will 'ave no use for this 'ere child. We will gladly keep 'er in our care." Thenardier picked up Cosette again, whom he had put down to read the letter.
"I have resigned from my position as Mayor. The town is in good hands, have no fear. Cosette please. 500 francs, sir."
Madame took the money and placed it down on the table before them.
"Sir, that would suffice well enough, had poor Cosette not taken ill quite so often as she did. Of course all the proper medicines where purchased on her behalf. For, as Christians, what more could we do for her?" Behind her, Thenardier did a poor imitation of the sign of the cross.
"Naturally. I don't doubt you are good and just citizens who care dearly for Cosette. Very well. 1000 francs for you both. Thank you sincerely." He held out his arms for Cosette.
Madame picked up the letter once more and whispered something to her husband that Eponine could not make out.
"Right you are, my love. Monsieur, you say this letter came directly from Fantine. Pardon me for saying this but, there are expert forgers along our roads. Anyone could 'ave..."
"Sir, I ask you not to speak another syllable. 1500 francs in exchange for Cosette. I must be leaving presently, for my patience has run extremely short."
He slapped the money onto the table, which simultaneously occurred with Thenardier's dropping Cosette. Cosette ran from his arms into the arms of the stranger. Eponine could here whispers between the two, as her parents gaped at the fortune before them.
"I bid you adieu. I hope you and your wife have a long and healthy life. Come Cosette. Say goodbye to your guardians."
In a feeble voice, Cosette uttered, "Goodbye Sir, Madame," she glanced towards the stairs. "Eponine."
And with that, they were gone.
Eponine ran to her room, which had the view of the front walkway. She saw Cosette hugging the man. She heard Cosette muttering to the man.
"Monsieur, are you my father?"
"Indeed I am, Cosette. I will make your life fantastic."
"Will we see castles? And children? And eat good food? And sleep in warm beds? And..."
"Yes, yes! We will see it all once we arrive in Paris," chuckled Valjean.
Eponine sat in her room many moments after her friend and the stranger vanished from sight. She heard her parents rejoicing. She heard their cries of joy. Then, she heard the stumbling of feet below her, and resumed her place on the top step.