Chapter 7
Paris, 1831 (3 Years Later)
"Bless you, Monsieur. God have mercy on your soul. 'Elp the poor! Spare a sou! Be a good Christian and feed your poor, 'ungry neighbors!"
Thenardier pocketed the money that had just been donated and continued his begging and pleading. His wife sat on the ground beside him sleeping among the filth of the streets.
Life had not gone well for the Thenardiers or their friends over the past year. After being thrown from their homes, due to the increasing debt Thenardier had amounted, and being forced to live off the few coins a day they received, they had faced extremely hard conditions, including weather and morale.
Since then, Thenardier and the four men had started a gang to get them what they wanted. If they saw a nice golden pocket watch that might bring in a week's worth of bread, it was theirs. If they saw a hefty purse dangling from a man's side, all it would take was a single cut, and it was theirs. They always seemed to get away with everything, and if the police went on their trail, Eponine was always there.
Eponine had gotten involved one morning after Babet had stolen a lady's diamond bracelet and she hunted down a police officer. As Babet ran down an alleyway, Eponine stepped out and began asking the police officer directions that she couldn't seem to get right, giving Babet more than enough time to get away, and get everyone else relocated. She was always lurking somewhere, ready for distraction.
Montparnasse and Eponine still hid their love, but it was easier now that they lived off the streets of Paris. Eponine could go as she pleased now that she was sixteen and Montparnasse only returned to see Thenardier if Eponine told him to.
One morning Eponine and Montparnasse were walking near the River Seine looking for someone to steal from when Montparnasse suddenly went into the same old conversation they always had.
"'Ponine. When are we going to tell your father? We can't hide this forever!"
"'Parnasse, I told you yesterday that we couldn't possibly tell him now. Besides, look at us! We aren't in any position to raise the family we had talked about years ago."
"Why not? Just because we live here?"
"Where is here?" She stopped and stared at him. "'Parnasse, we change where we live at least three times a week. If you even call this living."
"If we start a family now, in five years we could have tiny little things running under people legs so fast that they'll never even know they were there!"
"'Parnasse! I will never let my children do what I am doing now. I vowed that I would never live like my parents and I would never raise my children to be thieves like me."
"Fine, we'll move back into the country. Just because your father got us into this situation doesn't mean that he can drag us along for the ride."
"'Parnasse, why do we fight? It never gets us anywhere except where we left it the day before. Could you just trust me?"
"I have been trusting you for four years, 'Ponine. But you gots to understand that it's not easy for me."
"I know, 'Parnasse."
"Then why won't you give yourself to me?"
"Because I still have the values that I had when we lived outside of Paris. Just because I became part of a gang headed by my father doesn't mean that I'm going to be easy with myself."
Montparnasse sighed. "You're a hard shell to break."
"Maybe, but I know that I'm worth waiting for." She wrapped her arms around his neck as he kissed her gently.
"Oh, God. Do we have to see this?"
"You just choose to come see me at the most inconvenient of times, Brujon. What is it?"
"Thenardier's calling a meeting. Gots information. Let's go."
**************************************************************************
"What I got brewing in me 'ead is this. Tomorrow, all the new students, and the ol' ones too, are coming back for the start of semester. So, they is bringing all them goods. We'll 'ave ourselves a field day!"
"Sounds like the same plan we rigged last semester."
"Quiet you. It worked last year and it'll work this year. 'Aven't you any faith in your ol' ringmaster?"
"Course he has, Papa. Plan sounds easy enough."
"'Ponine, you'll be the crucial part. You'ze gots to work closely with us. We pick one man at a time, you go do you're girly things, and we'll go in."
"Piece of cake."
"Right, the train arrives tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp, so you alls appear at 7:30, no later!"
Murmurs and nods of agreement came from everyone.
"Right, gets out o' 'ere and enjoy this lovely day."
**************************************************************************
At exactly 8 AM, the train whistle blew. The five men and Eponine were gathered outside, ready to strike.
As the first few men came out, it was easy for Eponine to make sweet talk and ask silly questions. Her personal favorite was complimenting the men and receiving them back. Yet as the crowds that began to pour out got larger, the harder it became for her to detain the men and to keep in contact with the gang.
Soon, men were being rude, saying that they hadn't the time and that they were already late. A few even laughed and smacked her on her backside. Suddenly, she was knocked over by many men pushing their way through the crowd. Suddenly, a hand stretched out and helped her up.
"Brutes, many of them are. I should like to apologize for all of them."
"That's quite alright. It wasn't your fault. If only all of them could be as polite as you." She gave him a weak smile.
"My name is Marius Pontmercy. I'm a student starting term here."
"Pleased to meet you, Monsieur. I'm Eponine Thenardier."
"You must be lucky, to live in a place such as Paris. The beauty and the splendor, why it would captivate me, and it has so far."
"Why, you've only seen the train station. I can't imagine what you'll think of Notre Dame."
He well-dressed man gave a polite chuckle. "Your wit is rather amusing. I shall have to look you up."
"No! No, Monsieur. Why don't you tell me where you are staying, and I could find you."
"That would be very ungentlemanly of me."
"Believe me, it won't trouble me one bit."
"If you're sure." He got out a piece of paper and scribbled down an address. "There you are. I look forward to meeting you again."
"And I you, Monsieur."
"Please. Just Marius."
"Marius."
And with that, he disappeared down the street.
"Good work, 'Ponine. Why 'e was so interested in what you was saying, 'e didn't even notice us working on 'im."
"Papa, you didn't take anything from him, did you?"
"Of course we did," Claquesous walked up. "It was the plan. And it worked out, didn't it?"
"Come on, boys. Time to get on 'ome." Thenardier, Babet, Brujon, and Claquesous walked away carrying sacks filled with many rarities.
"You seemed rather cozy."
"What?"
"That student. Did he flatter you more than the others?"
"No, he helped me up when I was knocked over by somebody else. And if you must know, he was very nice to me."
"Oh, please, 'Ponine. These students see a girl first thing going into a womanless school, and of course they is going to flatter you."
"I think you're jealous."
"You're right, because I am jealous. Maybe you'll like one of them better. Maybe you'll leave me with your father while you go and live a happy life with one of them knights in shining armor."
"I would never leave you with my father. I'd at least let you come be a stable hand."
"Not a good time to be joking about that. You know I love you and it's hard for me to see you with other men."
"What other men?" She looked around the station. "The only man I see is right there in front of me and that's the only man I saw all morning."
"That's a lot better," he smiled kissing her forehead.
"'Parnasse. I've given what you said yesterday a lot of thought and..."
"Wait, what did I say yesterday?"
"About me giving myself to you."
"Go ahead."
"You have to promise me before I make any decision that you won't just run off and leave me like you did long ago. You have to swear that you'll change your ways."
"'Ponine, you mean so much to me that I would..." he looked in his hand. "I would give you this." He bent down on his knee. "'Ponine, you are my whole world and I want you to know that I would do anything and everything to make you happy. When the time you say is right, I want you to marry me. Will you wear my ring until then?" He removed a gold band from his hand and placed it over Eponine's slender finger.
Tears welding in her eyes, Eponine finally said, "Yes. Yes, I will, 'Parnasse!"
They stood in each other's arms for what seemed an eternity. Eponine finally looked into Montparnasse's eyes and said, "I don't need to wait until we get married, now that I have this ring. It's confirmation enough of your love and faithfulness to me."
"We have to find somewhere to... Lets go."
He tore down the street, pulling Eponine behind him.
"Where are we going?" shouted Eponine.
"There's an old couple Claquesous and I always get. They is out of town visiting relatives. I know because they left a note under the mat telling the milkman not to deliver. Their lock is easy to pick, I done so already. We is almost there."
They made their way through the alleys until Montparnasse stopped at the back door of a small house. He grabbed the handle.
"Damn. I locked it. Do you have anything I could use?"
Eponine produced a thin piece of metal, which successfully opened the door. He hurried Eponine inside, looked around, and then closed the door.
**************************************************************************
"You wouldn't be running away would you?" questioned Eponine as she searched for her shoe.
"I would be a foolish man to run away from you, 'Ponine." He smiled as he put on his coat. "Lets go, can't be seen."
In an instant, they were gone from the house and back down the alleyway.
**************************************************************************
A/N - Come on. Let the imagination work people. ;)
Paris, 1831 (3 Years Later)
"Bless you, Monsieur. God have mercy on your soul. 'Elp the poor! Spare a sou! Be a good Christian and feed your poor, 'ungry neighbors!"
Thenardier pocketed the money that had just been donated and continued his begging and pleading. His wife sat on the ground beside him sleeping among the filth of the streets.
Life had not gone well for the Thenardiers or their friends over the past year. After being thrown from their homes, due to the increasing debt Thenardier had amounted, and being forced to live off the few coins a day they received, they had faced extremely hard conditions, including weather and morale.
Since then, Thenardier and the four men had started a gang to get them what they wanted. If they saw a nice golden pocket watch that might bring in a week's worth of bread, it was theirs. If they saw a hefty purse dangling from a man's side, all it would take was a single cut, and it was theirs. They always seemed to get away with everything, and if the police went on their trail, Eponine was always there.
Eponine had gotten involved one morning after Babet had stolen a lady's diamond bracelet and she hunted down a police officer. As Babet ran down an alleyway, Eponine stepped out and began asking the police officer directions that she couldn't seem to get right, giving Babet more than enough time to get away, and get everyone else relocated. She was always lurking somewhere, ready for distraction.
Montparnasse and Eponine still hid their love, but it was easier now that they lived off the streets of Paris. Eponine could go as she pleased now that she was sixteen and Montparnasse only returned to see Thenardier if Eponine told him to.
One morning Eponine and Montparnasse were walking near the River Seine looking for someone to steal from when Montparnasse suddenly went into the same old conversation they always had.
"'Ponine. When are we going to tell your father? We can't hide this forever!"
"'Parnasse, I told you yesterday that we couldn't possibly tell him now. Besides, look at us! We aren't in any position to raise the family we had talked about years ago."
"Why not? Just because we live here?"
"Where is here?" She stopped and stared at him. "'Parnasse, we change where we live at least three times a week. If you even call this living."
"If we start a family now, in five years we could have tiny little things running under people legs so fast that they'll never even know they were there!"
"'Parnasse! I will never let my children do what I am doing now. I vowed that I would never live like my parents and I would never raise my children to be thieves like me."
"Fine, we'll move back into the country. Just because your father got us into this situation doesn't mean that he can drag us along for the ride."
"'Parnasse, why do we fight? It never gets us anywhere except where we left it the day before. Could you just trust me?"
"I have been trusting you for four years, 'Ponine. But you gots to understand that it's not easy for me."
"I know, 'Parnasse."
"Then why won't you give yourself to me?"
"Because I still have the values that I had when we lived outside of Paris. Just because I became part of a gang headed by my father doesn't mean that I'm going to be easy with myself."
Montparnasse sighed. "You're a hard shell to break."
"Maybe, but I know that I'm worth waiting for." She wrapped her arms around his neck as he kissed her gently.
"Oh, God. Do we have to see this?"
"You just choose to come see me at the most inconvenient of times, Brujon. What is it?"
"Thenardier's calling a meeting. Gots information. Let's go."
**************************************************************************
"What I got brewing in me 'ead is this. Tomorrow, all the new students, and the ol' ones too, are coming back for the start of semester. So, they is bringing all them goods. We'll 'ave ourselves a field day!"
"Sounds like the same plan we rigged last semester."
"Quiet you. It worked last year and it'll work this year. 'Aven't you any faith in your ol' ringmaster?"
"Course he has, Papa. Plan sounds easy enough."
"'Ponine, you'll be the crucial part. You'ze gots to work closely with us. We pick one man at a time, you go do you're girly things, and we'll go in."
"Piece of cake."
"Right, the train arrives tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp, so you alls appear at 7:30, no later!"
Murmurs and nods of agreement came from everyone.
"Right, gets out o' 'ere and enjoy this lovely day."
**************************************************************************
At exactly 8 AM, the train whistle blew. The five men and Eponine were gathered outside, ready to strike.
As the first few men came out, it was easy for Eponine to make sweet talk and ask silly questions. Her personal favorite was complimenting the men and receiving them back. Yet as the crowds that began to pour out got larger, the harder it became for her to detain the men and to keep in contact with the gang.
Soon, men were being rude, saying that they hadn't the time and that they were already late. A few even laughed and smacked her on her backside. Suddenly, she was knocked over by many men pushing their way through the crowd. Suddenly, a hand stretched out and helped her up.
"Brutes, many of them are. I should like to apologize for all of them."
"That's quite alright. It wasn't your fault. If only all of them could be as polite as you." She gave him a weak smile.
"My name is Marius Pontmercy. I'm a student starting term here."
"Pleased to meet you, Monsieur. I'm Eponine Thenardier."
"You must be lucky, to live in a place such as Paris. The beauty and the splendor, why it would captivate me, and it has so far."
"Why, you've only seen the train station. I can't imagine what you'll think of Notre Dame."
He well-dressed man gave a polite chuckle. "Your wit is rather amusing. I shall have to look you up."
"No! No, Monsieur. Why don't you tell me where you are staying, and I could find you."
"That would be very ungentlemanly of me."
"Believe me, it won't trouble me one bit."
"If you're sure." He got out a piece of paper and scribbled down an address. "There you are. I look forward to meeting you again."
"And I you, Monsieur."
"Please. Just Marius."
"Marius."
And with that, he disappeared down the street.
"Good work, 'Ponine. Why 'e was so interested in what you was saying, 'e didn't even notice us working on 'im."
"Papa, you didn't take anything from him, did you?"
"Of course we did," Claquesous walked up. "It was the plan. And it worked out, didn't it?"
"Come on, boys. Time to get on 'ome." Thenardier, Babet, Brujon, and Claquesous walked away carrying sacks filled with many rarities.
"You seemed rather cozy."
"What?"
"That student. Did he flatter you more than the others?"
"No, he helped me up when I was knocked over by somebody else. And if you must know, he was very nice to me."
"Oh, please, 'Ponine. These students see a girl first thing going into a womanless school, and of course they is going to flatter you."
"I think you're jealous."
"You're right, because I am jealous. Maybe you'll like one of them better. Maybe you'll leave me with your father while you go and live a happy life with one of them knights in shining armor."
"I would never leave you with my father. I'd at least let you come be a stable hand."
"Not a good time to be joking about that. You know I love you and it's hard for me to see you with other men."
"What other men?" She looked around the station. "The only man I see is right there in front of me and that's the only man I saw all morning."
"That's a lot better," he smiled kissing her forehead.
"'Parnasse. I've given what you said yesterday a lot of thought and..."
"Wait, what did I say yesterday?"
"About me giving myself to you."
"Go ahead."
"You have to promise me before I make any decision that you won't just run off and leave me like you did long ago. You have to swear that you'll change your ways."
"'Ponine, you mean so much to me that I would..." he looked in his hand. "I would give you this." He bent down on his knee. "'Ponine, you are my whole world and I want you to know that I would do anything and everything to make you happy. When the time you say is right, I want you to marry me. Will you wear my ring until then?" He removed a gold band from his hand and placed it over Eponine's slender finger.
Tears welding in her eyes, Eponine finally said, "Yes. Yes, I will, 'Parnasse!"
They stood in each other's arms for what seemed an eternity. Eponine finally looked into Montparnasse's eyes and said, "I don't need to wait until we get married, now that I have this ring. It's confirmation enough of your love and faithfulness to me."
"We have to find somewhere to... Lets go."
He tore down the street, pulling Eponine behind him.
"Where are we going?" shouted Eponine.
"There's an old couple Claquesous and I always get. They is out of town visiting relatives. I know because they left a note under the mat telling the milkman not to deliver. Their lock is easy to pick, I done so already. We is almost there."
They made their way through the alleys until Montparnasse stopped at the back door of a small house. He grabbed the handle.
"Damn. I locked it. Do you have anything I could use?"
Eponine produced a thin piece of metal, which successfully opened the door. He hurried Eponine inside, looked around, and then closed the door.
**************************************************************************
"You wouldn't be running away would you?" questioned Eponine as she searched for her shoe.
"I would be a foolish man to run away from you, 'Ponine." He smiled as he put on his coat. "Lets go, can't be seen."
In an instant, they were gone from the house and back down the alleyway.
**************************************************************************
A/N - Come on. Let the imagination work people. ;)