Chapter 14
Eponine walked to the barricade, her fear mounting. She slowly climbed it as the sun began to set overhead. As she reached the other side, she saw a huge crowd gathering in a circle. Eponine stood towards the back, not wanting to be recognized.
"Every man and woman to their designated job!" boomed Enjolras. "Get to it! Oh, wait! We need a spy to find for us the details of our rival! Who will take the job?"
"I would be the best qualified for that job," said a man nearing the group. Eponine thought his voice was familiar, but she couldn't see his face. "I've been on their side before, when I was a younger man. I now realize my foolishness in the matter, and am willing to do anything to get back at them!"
"A wise choice! Someone, uh, Feuilly! Brief this man and send him out! Marius, you come with me."
"Single me out?" asked Marius as he followed Enjolras away from everyone else.
"If you see Eponine, get her out any way you can. I don't want her around."
"I have the perfect job if she comes."
"If she does, send her out and make it clear that she is not to return."
"I'll keep a lookout," confirmed Marius.
"Excellent. And Marius? Be careful," cautioned Enjolras. "Joly! Get to your lookout post!"
Marius pushed his way through the crowd to collect his gun, when he knocked someone over. He turned back, still retaining his manners, and pulled the man to his feet.
"Sorry, there. I was in a bit of a hurry."
"It's my fault."
The man's voice was oddly familiar, yet his pitch seemed to dip from word to word. The man's cap was pulled far down which concealed his eyes.
"Who are you?" asked Marius politely.
"A concerned Parisian here to help."
Marius was not fooled, however. He grabbed the brim of the hat and pulled it up. "Eponine!" He dragged her away from the rebels. "You aren't suppose to be here!"
"I don't care! I'm here to stay, and if you tell Enjolras, I'll never speak to you again." The common phrase was soon regretted the second it took its impact.
"You can't help Enjolras, but you can help me." He took out a piece of neatly folded paper and handed it to Eponine. "Would you take this to Rue Plumet? I only hope that Cosette's father hasn't whisked her away yet. You will take it, won't you Eponine?"
"Of course I will."
"Listen to me. As soon as it's delivered, don't come back to the barricade. Stay down in Rue Plumet. There will be no fighting there."
"Yes, Marius." She shoved the letter in her pocket and walked away as fast as she could. She didn't look back at him. She silently climbed over the barricade and made her way down to the place that she hated the most.
Enjolras noticed Marius take the young man aside. He approached Marius.
"Eponine?"
"Eponine."
"She'll be safer. We've done a good thing Marius."
"I only hope she listens."
"She's smarter than that. She will. Come on now, to your gun."
**************************************************************************
Valjean walked about his garden for the last time. He breathed in the sweet fragrance of the roses, lilies, and the iris. He made his way to the bench that had become the only companion his daughter had really know all these years. He sat upon it and put his elbows on his knees, his hands over his closed eyes.
'Why did I seclude her so? I was much too overprotective, and I still am. I haven't given her a life. I've given her a jail with luxuries.'
The rustle of leaves broke his thoughts. He looked behind him, and saw a boy climbing over the wall. He walked to the boy, who had fallen.
"May I help you?" Valjean asked extending a hand.
The boy took it. "I have brought a letter, sir, for your daughter."
"Who is this letter from, my dear boy?"
"A man at the barricade, sir. It is addressed to Cosette from a man named Marius."
"I will take that letter, boy."
"He asked that Cosette receive it directly."
"I promise that she will," said Valjean retrieving the keys from his pocket. He walked to the gate and unlocked it. He pushed it open as he spoke. "I thank you for your trouble, young man. For your pains." He handed the boy a coin and gently pushed him into the street. "Now, be gone from here. There is much happening this evening. It would be best for you to go him."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
The boy walked away as Valjean locked the gate once more. He looked at the paper, and then towards Cosette's window. The light was out, Cosette fast asleep within. They were set to leave by dawn on the first ship. He unfolded the letter and read it.
His heart sank. It was a love letter from this man, Marius, to Cosette. Valjean was unsure how they had met, but he knew from the man's words that they were both very much in love.
He pocketed the letter. He glanced around at the garden again, as he made his way back in the house.
**************************************************************************
Eponine walked in circles. She wanted to obey Marius, yet she wanted to return because of Enjolras' lie. She didn't have a home to go to and no friends or family that she cared to associate with. She decided that she had no choice to go back to the barricade.
She flipped the coin that Cosette's father had given her as she thought of many things. She thought of Marius.
'No, don't think about him,' she told herself. 'Cosette will be Marius' love. You have no chance. You screwed up your own life. Just be happy for those who will get exactly what they want.'
She then thought of Montparnasse.
'No, don't think of him either. He was mean and rotten and deserves never to see me again. It's because of him that Enjolras has turned his cheek to me. He got me pregnant. He ruined everything.'
She heard voices as she neared the end of Rue Plumet.
"We'll take to the sewers tonight, love. Tomorrow morning, you is to meet me in the same place we always meet."
"I will meet you there. But take heed."
"Quiet, I hear something."
Eponine approached the two figures in the dark. She recognized them, but they didn't her.
"Any spare change, sir?"
"Yes, just to 'elp us out?"
Eponine threw the coin at her father and kept walking. She knew she would not be seeing them anymore.
**************************************************************************
"Enjolras! The spy's coming back! Probably found out about the enemy!" Joly shouted to their leader as he saw the man advance towards the barricade.
"I have returned, my friends!"
"Have you learned anything?" questioned Enjolras racing towards him.
"I have learned more than you would have expected. Even greeted warmly by a few old friends from my service. They welcomed me so, that I took advantage of the entire situation. They have many more men than we have, so it will be a hard fight to win."
"But we have the motive!" shouted someone in the crowd.
"It's true! We fight this war with passion in our hearts! They have none!" Marius' comment fired up the crowd.
Enjolras quieted them. "Do you know of their tactics? Anything at all that we could use to slaughter them?"
The spy smiled to himself. "I did overhear some of the leaders talking. They were joking about how we'll be out of food before they attack us from the right side."
Enjolras opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Joly. "Enjolras! Gavroche is climbing the barricade!"
"Gavroche?" The little boy scrambled over the barricade gasping for air with his finger pointed at the spy.
"Enjolras! Friends! Don't believe a word he says!"
"Gavroche! This man is helping us spy on our foe!"
"He's a spy, alright! But not for us! He's Inspector Javert of the police and he's aligned himself so that he can arrest us all!"
Javert stood to run, but was pulled back by four or five men. He was trapped.
"How dare you! You deceived us!"
"It was my job, and I did it pretty damn well since you believed me!"
Enjolras remembered this man now. He was the one who Enjolras himself signaled down the first day he learned about Eponine's condition. His fury rose with every second.
"My friends! We shall decide what we are to do to him later! Now, the five of you, take him to the tavern and make sure someone stands guard."
Javert laughed as they dragged him away. "Shoot me, stab me for all I care! They know I'm here and they know you're here! You'll all die before the night is over! And then you'll see there's no such thing as revolution!"
Enjolras was about to explode. "Gag him as well! If he makes a sound, kill him right there."
Marius had climbed to the lookout post to talk to Joly, when he noticed someone else climb up the barricade. It was beginning to rain, and he saw a few men from the rival army approaching. Joly saw this too, and bellowed, "There's someone coming up!"
Marius immediately recognized the clothes and hat as the ones that Eponine had worn before. He took off from his place and ran up the barricade.
"Marius!" screamed Enjolras. "What are you doing?"
"It's Eponine!" Abruptly, several shots were fired as Eponine made her way over the top. Marius pulled her down. "What's wrong with you?" He shook her hard. "You were suppose to stay outside! You saw Cosette? Or you didn't? Is that why you came and endangered yourself?"
"She was there," Eponine's voice became soft. "Only her father was there. He'll give it to her he said."
Marius drew her into a hug, and she collapsed. Marius pulled her back, and saw blood stain his shirt. He looked at Eponine. She was bleeding from right below the breastbone, grasping her stomach with all her might.
"Don't say a word, Marius. If I am to die, I can't disturb the fight."
"No! No! Enjolras!"
Eponine clung to Marius. "Don't leave me, Marius! I can't bear it anymore."
"Anymore? 'Ponine, what..."
"Eponine, why are you...God almighty." Enjolras bent down. "Eponine, no! No!" He broke into sobs. The rain began to fall in heavier drops.
"Please don't upset yourselves over me. I didn't do as I was told, and I'm punished for it. But, Marius, let me stay here like this. Just like this."
"You won't die, 'Ponine! I..." He thought about his next words. "I love you."
Eponine smiled weakly. "No, you love Cosette."
"No, 'Ponine. I never realized until now that I should be with you."
"Oh, Marius."
"I won't ever leave you. From now on, it will be you and me."
"Eponine." Grantaire, Joly, and Feuilly had moved towards her. "Eponine, does it hurt much?"
"It doesn't. Not much, Grantaire. But I'd have a few more drinks before the fight begins." She smiled at him, and he returned it weakly. He bent down next to her, and moved a strand of hair away from her face.
"You will be fine. We will get you better. I promise."
"Damn them. Eponine, why did you come back?"
"I came back, Feuilly, because I made a promise to someone, and I had to fulfill it." Enjolras looked up and at her. He took her hand.
"No, 'Ponine. You didn't come back because I broke my promise, did you?"
"No, Enjolras. It was not your doing that caused this. I came out of my own free will." She turned her head to look at Marius. He saw a tear run down his cheek, and wiped it away with her thumb. "Just hold me close," she whispered.
Enjolras and the other men stood and backed away. Marius held Eponine like a mother would hold her newborn. He began to sing to her softly. She closed her eyes as he did this, and opened them as he stopped. He dropped his head and kissed her. She kissed him back. As she pulled back, she whispered, "I love you, Marius. I always have."
Marius opened his mouth to say the same, but Eponine's head gave way. Her body was limp and her breath had stopped. Marius began to sob, and pulled her to his chest. He held her there for quite some time.
Enjolras came behind him and put a hand on Marius' shoulder. "She really did love you, Marius."
Joly, Grantaire, Feuilly, and some other men came forward to take Eponine's body. Marius was hesitant to let go, but yielded. He let her go and his eyes followed her into the tavern. He put his hands over his eyes.
"She was engaged. She loved me, but she was engaged."
"That's not all." Marius turned to his friend. "Marius, she was pregnant."
"She was what?"
"Having a baby."
"Why didn't she tell me? She told you?"
"No, I found out. She got sick one day. She didn't tell you because she thought you'd never love her."
"I'd love her no matter what. She loved me. And she came with me to see Cosette? She did everything to help Cosette and me, but it was tearing her up inside."
"She wanted to win your favor."
"She did. She will be the one we fight for."
"I agree. I must get back to everyone. Will you be alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine, now that Eponine's at peace."
**************************************************************************
Javert sat tied to a chair in the cafe. His hands were bound with ripped cloth, his legs and waist with the belts of the revolutionaries, and his mouth stuffed with more cloth. He saw a group of men enter the tavern carrying a body.
Grantaire saw him stare at them. "Is this what your side is fighting for? The death of innocent lives?"
"Mark us well," breathed Joly. "You and your side will pay for this unjust downfall."
Javert caught a glimpse of the person. A girl dressed in men's clothing. Her face was oddly familiar. Then it all fell into place. The girl was the one who had broken into his house and the one he later saw in the street.
He watched the men file out, and the women, who were inside, take the body and place it on two tables.
Javert closed his eyes. What was to happen to him?
Eponine walked to the barricade, her fear mounting. She slowly climbed it as the sun began to set overhead. As she reached the other side, she saw a huge crowd gathering in a circle. Eponine stood towards the back, not wanting to be recognized.
"Every man and woman to their designated job!" boomed Enjolras. "Get to it! Oh, wait! We need a spy to find for us the details of our rival! Who will take the job?"
"I would be the best qualified for that job," said a man nearing the group. Eponine thought his voice was familiar, but she couldn't see his face. "I've been on their side before, when I was a younger man. I now realize my foolishness in the matter, and am willing to do anything to get back at them!"
"A wise choice! Someone, uh, Feuilly! Brief this man and send him out! Marius, you come with me."
"Single me out?" asked Marius as he followed Enjolras away from everyone else.
"If you see Eponine, get her out any way you can. I don't want her around."
"I have the perfect job if she comes."
"If she does, send her out and make it clear that she is not to return."
"I'll keep a lookout," confirmed Marius.
"Excellent. And Marius? Be careful," cautioned Enjolras. "Joly! Get to your lookout post!"
Marius pushed his way through the crowd to collect his gun, when he knocked someone over. He turned back, still retaining his manners, and pulled the man to his feet.
"Sorry, there. I was in a bit of a hurry."
"It's my fault."
The man's voice was oddly familiar, yet his pitch seemed to dip from word to word. The man's cap was pulled far down which concealed his eyes.
"Who are you?" asked Marius politely.
"A concerned Parisian here to help."
Marius was not fooled, however. He grabbed the brim of the hat and pulled it up. "Eponine!" He dragged her away from the rebels. "You aren't suppose to be here!"
"I don't care! I'm here to stay, and if you tell Enjolras, I'll never speak to you again." The common phrase was soon regretted the second it took its impact.
"You can't help Enjolras, but you can help me." He took out a piece of neatly folded paper and handed it to Eponine. "Would you take this to Rue Plumet? I only hope that Cosette's father hasn't whisked her away yet. You will take it, won't you Eponine?"
"Of course I will."
"Listen to me. As soon as it's delivered, don't come back to the barricade. Stay down in Rue Plumet. There will be no fighting there."
"Yes, Marius." She shoved the letter in her pocket and walked away as fast as she could. She didn't look back at him. She silently climbed over the barricade and made her way down to the place that she hated the most.
Enjolras noticed Marius take the young man aside. He approached Marius.
"Eponine?"
"Eponine."
"She'll be safer. We've done a good thing Marius."
"I only hope she listens."
"She's smarter than that. She will. Come on now, to your gun."
**************************************************************************
Valjean walked about his garden for the last time. He breathed in the sweet fragrance of the roses, lilies, and the iris. He made his way to the bench that had become the only companion his daughter had really know all these years. He sat upon it and put his elbows on his knees, his hands over his closed eyes.
'Why did I seclude her so? I was much too overprotective, and I still am. I haven't given her a life. I've given her a jail with luxuries.'
The rustle of leaves broke his thoughts. He looked behind him, and saw a boy climbing over the wall. He walked to the boy, who had fallen.
"May I help you?" Valjean asked extending a hand.
The boy took it. "I have brought a letter, sir, for your daughter."
"Who is this letter from, my dear boy?"
"A man at the barricade, sir. It is addressed to Cosette from a man named Marius."
"I will take that letter, boy."
"He asked that Cosette receive it directly."
"I promise that she will," said Valjean retrieving the keys from his pocket. He walked to the gate and unlocked it. He pushed it open as he spoke. "I thank you for your trouble, young man. For your pains." He handed the boy a coin and gently pushed him into the street. "Now, be gone from here. There is much happening this evening. It would be best for you to go him."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
The boy walked away as Valjean locked the gate once more. He looked at the paper, and then towards Cosette's window. The light was out, Cosette fast asleep within. They were set to leave by dawn on the first ship. He unfolded the letter and read it.
His heart sank. It was a love letter from this man, Marius, to Cosette. Valjean was unsure how they had met, but he knew from the man's words that they were both very much in love.
He pocketed the letter. He glanced around at the garden again, as he made his way back in the house.
**************************************************************************
Eponine walked in circles. She wanted to obey Marius, yet she wanted to return because of Enjolras' lie. She didn't have a home to go to and no friends or family that she cared to associate with. She decided that she had no choice to go back to the barricade.
She flipped the coin that Cosette's father had given her as she thought of many things. She thought of Marius.
'No, don't think about him,' she told herself. 'Cosette will be Marius' love. You have no chance. You screwed up your own life. Just be happy for those who will get exactly what they want.'
She then thought of Montparnasse.
'No, don't think of him either. He was mean and rotten and deserves never to see me again. It's because of him that Enjolras has turned his cheek to me. He got me pregnant. He ruined everything.'
She heard voices as she neared the end of Rue Plumet.
"We'll take to the sewers tonight, love. Tomorrow morning, you is to meet me in the same place we always meet."
"I will meet you there. But take heed."
"Quiet, I hear something."
Eponine approached the two figures in the dark. She recognized them, but they didn't her.
"Any spare change, sir?"
"Yes, just to 'elp us out?"
Eponine threw the coin at her father and kept walking. She knew she would not be seeing them anymore.
**************************************************************************
"Enjolras! The spy's coming back! Probably found out about the enemy!" Joly shouted to their leader as he saw the man advance towards the barricade.
"I have returned, my friends!"
"Have you learned anything?" questioned Enjolras racing towards him.
"I have learned more than you would have expected. Even greeted warmly by a few old friends from my service. They welcomed me so, that I took advantage of the entire situation. They have many more men than we have, so it will be a hard fight to win."
"But we have the motive!" shouted someone in the crowd.
"It's true! We fight this war with passion in our hearts! They have none!" Marius' comment fired up the crowd.
Enjolras quieted them. "Do you know of their tactics? Anything at all that we could use to slaughter them?"
The spy smiled to himself. "I did overhear some of the leaders talking. They were joking about how we'll be out of food before they attack us from the right side."
Enjolras opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Joly. "Enjolras! Gavroche is climbing the barricade!"
"Gavroche?" The little boy scrambled over the barricade gasping for air with his finger pointed at the spy.
"Enjolras! Friends! Don't believe a word he says!"
"Gavroche! This man is helping us spy on our foe!"
"He's a spy, alright! But not for us! He's Inspector Javert of the police and he's aligned himself so that he can arrest us all!"
Javert stood to run, but was pulled back by four or five men. He was trapped.
"How dare you! You deceived us!"
"It was my job, and I did it pretty damn well since you believed me!"
Enjolras remembered this man now. He was the one who Enjolras himself signaled down the first day he learned about Eponine's condition. His fury rose with every second.
"My friends! We shall decide what we are to do to him later! Now, the five of you, take him to the tavern and make sure someone stands guard."
Javert laughed as they dragged him away. "Shoot me, stab me for all I care! They know I'm here and they know you're here! You'll all die before the night is over! And then you'll see there's no such thing as revolution!"
Enjolras was about to explode. "Gag him as well! If he makes a sound, kill him right there."
Marius had climbed to the lookout post to talk to Joly, when he noticed someone else climb up the barricade. It was beginning to rain, and he saw a few men from the rival army approaching. Joly saw this too, and bellowed, "There's someone coming up!"
Marius immediately recognized the clothes and hat as the ones that Eponine had worn before. He took off from his place and ran up the barricade.
"Marius!" screamed Enjolras. "What are you doing?"
"It's Eponine!" Abruptly, several shots were fired as Eponine made her way over the top. Marius pulled her down. "What's wrong with you?" He shook her hard. "You were suppose to stay outside! You saw Cosette? Or you didn't? Is that why you came and endangered yourself?"
"She was there," Eponine's voice became soft. "Only her father was there. He'll give it to her he said."
Marius drew her into a hug, and she collapsed. Marius pulled her back, and saw blood stain his shirt. He looked at Eponine. She was bleeding from right below the breastbone, grasping her stomach with all her might.
"Don't say a word, Marius. If I am to die, I can't disturb the fight."
"No! No! Enjolras!"
Eponine clung to Marius. "Don't leave me, Marius! I can't bear it anymore."
"Anymore? 'Ponine, what..."
"Eponine, why are you...God almighty." Enjolras bent down. "Eponine, no! No!" He broke into sobs. The rain began to fall in heavier drops.
"Please don't upset yourselves over me. I didn't do as I was told, and I'm punished for it. But, Marius, let me stay here like this. Just like this."
"You won't die, 'Ponine! I..." He thought about his next words. "I love you."
Eponine smiled weakly. "No, you love Cosette."
"No, 'Ponine. I never realized until now that I should be with you."
"Oh, Marius."
"I won't ever leave you. From now on, it will be you and me."
"Eponine." Grantaire, Joly, and Feuilly had moved towards her. "Eponine, does it hurt much?"
"It doesn't. Not much, Grantaire. But I'd have a few more drinks before the fight begins." She smiled at him, and he returned it weakly. He bent down next to her, and moved a strand of hair away from her face.
"You will be fine. We will get you better. I promise."
"Damn them. Eponine, why did you come back?"
"I came back, Feuilly, because I made a promise to someone, and I had to fulfill it." Enjolras looked up and at her. He took her hand.
"No, 'Ponine. You didn't come back because I broke my promise, did you?"
"No, Enjolras. It was not your doing that caused this. I came out of my own free will." She turned her head to look at Marius. He saw a tear run down his cheek, and wiped it away with her thumb. "Just hold me close," she whispered.
Enjolras and the other men stood and backed away. Marius held Eponine like a mother would hold her newborn. He began to sing to her softly. She closed her eyes as he did this, and opened them as he stopped. He dropped his head and kissed her. She kissed him back. As she pulled back, she whispered, "I love you, Marius. I always have."
Marius opened his mouth to say the same, but Eponine's head gave way. Her body was limp and her breath had stopped. Marius began to sob, and pulled her to his chest. He held her there for quite some time.
Enjolras came behind him and put a hand on Marius' shoulder. "She really did love you, Marius."
Joly, Grantaire, Feuilly, and some other men came forward to take Eponine's body. Marius was hesitant to let go, but yielded. He let her go and his eyes followed her into the tavern. He put his hands over his eyes.
"She was engaged. She loved me, but she was engaged."
"That's not all." Marius turned to his friend. "Marius, she was pregnant."
"She was what?"
"Having a baby."
"Why didn't she tell me? She told you?"
"No, I found out. She got sick one day. She didn't tell you because she thought you'd never love her."
"I'd love her no matter what. She loved me. And she came with me to see Cosette? She did everything to help Cosette and me, but it was tearing her up inside."
"She wanted to win your favor."
"She did. She will be the one we fight for."
"I agree. I must get back to everyone. Will you be alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine, now that Eponine's at peace."
**************************************************************************
Javert sat tied to a chair in the cafe. His hands were bound with ripped cloth, his legs and waist with the belts of the revolutionaries, and his mouth stuffed with more cloth. He saw a group of men enter the tavern carrying a body.
Grantaire saw him stare at them. "Is this what your side is fighting for? The death of innocent lives?"
"Mark us well," breathed Joly. "You and your side will pay for this unjust downfall."
Javert caught a glimpse of the person. A girl dressed in men's clothing. Her face was oddly familiar. Then it all fell into place. The girl was the one who had broken into his house and the one he later saw in the street.
He watched the men file out, and the women, who were inside, take the body and place it on two tables.
Javert closed his eyes. What was to happen to him?