Chapter Seven: Masquerade:

The day of the mask had arrived. Eponine went on to Cosette's house, without Erik. When she arrived at the Mayor's, Cosette was there waiting for her. She was all smiles: "Come 'Ponine, we must make haste, and get ready."

Eponine said nothing as Cosette pulled her into her home, and dragged her to the room. Once there, Cosette helped Eponine with her gown. The maids of the house, helped as well. Eponine said nothing as they dressed her, and applied her make up. She didn't feel like herself. All though, she didn't complain. If this was her last chance to win Marius, she would take it.

Marius had just finished getting ready. He was about to order his carriage, when Enjolras stormed up to him. Marius smiled and greeted his friend with an embrace. "I am glad to have you on my side tonight."

When they parted, Enjolras did not look happy at all. "What troubles you?"

"You do."

"What do you mean?"

"Eponine knows."

"About what?"

"The engagement." Enjolras answered, crossing his arms.

"Good, I am glad of it, why does this bother you?"

Enjolras could not take it anymore. He lashed out at Marius. "You are such a blind fool Marius! All these years you have never once noticed Eponine!"

"My dear friend, what has gotten into you?"

"EPONINE LOVES YOU MARIUS!"

Marius couldn't believe what he was hearing. He couldn't help but burst out into laughter. "I will not let you near the ale tonight." He said. "Now, if this nonsense is done, I must order my carriage."

Marius went to walk away, but Enjolras grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at him. "Look into her eyes, and you will see what I mean."

"If you please." Replied Marius, pulling away from Enjolras.

Enjolras was left there alone. A few minutes later, Marius returned with his carriage. Marius opened the door for his friend to enter. All though Enjolras was not happy with his friend, he entered the carriage and the two gentlemen were off to the Mayor's home.

Back at Val jean's house, Eponine was done. She looked into the mirror. Her black hair was curled, and the blue gown fitted very nicely, showing off her curves. "You look beautiful." Cosette complimented. "One finale touch though…" Cosette handed her a blue, heart shaped mask.

Eponine took the mask into her hands. Erik began to flood her mind. As if Cosette was reading her thoughts, she asked about her mysterious suitor. "Will your young gentleman be arriving tonight."

"I'm not sure." She answered, and it was the truth. Eponine had been so cross with him, she doubted that he would come.

A few moments later, a knock came upon Cosette's door. "My dears, are you ready? The guests are starting to arrive."

"Yes Papa, we are."

At that, Val jean opened the door, and looked upon his lovely daughter and her friend. "You two will be the centre of attention tonight."

Marius was the only one she wanted attention from. She turned to Cosette. She had a feeling that he won't be able to peal away from his future bride. Cosette was decked out in white, and her hair was pulled back, out of her face.

"Shall we be going then?" asked Val jean, stepping between the two girls, and offered them his arms.

"Of course." Cosette replied with a smile.

Once Eponine took his arm, three headed down to the ball room. Eponine was taken away at the number of guest who had arrived. She let her eyes gaze across the people, she knew no one. Eponine noticed that Marius had not arrived yet. However, he would soon enough.

Marius' carriage arrived a few moments later, and Enjolras still had a stern look upon his face. "Please Enjolras, smile, please. We are here to celebrate."

"I am sorry Marius, please pardon my rude behavior."

"You are forgiven. Now, come!" Marius replied, as he claimed out of the carriage, Enjolras followed him.

Eponine still clung to the Mayor. He was introducing her into high society. She never before been in the presence of great leaders, she doubted she ever would again.

Outside, another carriage had arrived. Inside, Madame Giry addressed her daughter. "Now, remember childe, behave yourself tonight. Whatever you do, do not mention Erik."

"How can you say that mother?" she asked. "Perhaps someone has seen him. Then we can find him."

"I said no." Madame Giry could see the hurt in her daughter's eyes. "I want to find him just as badly as you do, but we simply can not ask. If we do, we would put his life in more danger. Erik is labeled a murder Meg, if he is sought out, he will be thrown in jail, and I know you do not want that."

"No, I don't." said Meg quickly.

Meg followed her mother out of the carriage and into the grand ball room. She smiled at the dancing masked figures. She never thought she would lay her eyes on such a beautiful sight. Madame Giry was invited to many other events such as these, howere she never her along. It was Christine she decided to introduce to a higher society. Meg was the one left behind, alone.

As Meg continued to follow her mother through the crowd, she thought she saw Erik out of the corner of eye, but in the end it was not him. She missed him terribly. After she learned of his story, she prayed that he was all right. She longed to see him again.

"Ah, Madame Giry..."

Eponine was surprised when Val jean brought her to his next guest. She did not know Madame Giry personally, but she knew off her. The young girl beside her was no doubt her daughter. Eponine remembered them from Erik's stories. Now, she had to be careful not to slip.

"It's good to see you again." Val jean replied, parting from Cosette and Eponine to kiss the Madame on the cheek. "I'm sorry for the burning of Populair." Said Val jean with a sigh. "I will be happy to support getting a new House built."

"Thank you."

"Have you heard any word from Lord De Changey?" Cosette asked.

"No." answered the Madame. "All I can tell you is that he is safe. He escaped the fire."

"His brother most be terribly upset." Replied Cosette.

"Pardon me…" Madame said. "My dear, perhaps you have forgotten but Philippe is dead."

"I know, but his other brother…"

As soon as Eponine heard this, she snuck away. All though, she was still in earshot. "Other brother?" Giry asked.

"Yes, Erik De Changey…" said Cosette. "Eponine's young suitor." Cosette went to introduce the Madame to her friend, but she found that she was not there.

The Madame and Meg glanced at one another. "Erik…" Meg said to herself. She looked at Cosette, and demanded: "Where is your friend?"

"I'm not sure." Cosette answered. "She's around here somewhere."

"Meg." Warned Giry.

Meg ignored her mother, and went off to search for Eponine. The young Giry couldn't help but feel that Eponine knew where the Phantom was. Meg just hoped that she didn't put Erik in any sort of danger.

Marius and Enjolras made their way into the ball room, they let their eye dance across the floor. Marius smiled when his eyes landed on Cosette. "There she is."

"Where's Eponine?" asked Enjolras.

"I do not know." Marius answered. "I am sure we will find her soon enough.

Erik stood outside of the Mayor's home. He took a breath before opening the door. As he opened the door, his eyes landed upon Eponine. He found her making her way through the dancers. Erik smiled at her. She looked so beautiful. He had to get to her, and apologize for his actions.

Eponine seemed to be lost in the sea of dancers, every time she tried to get out, someone blocked her way. As she turned around, she bumped into someone. She quickly apologized.

"'Ponine, is that you?" a familiar voice asked.

When she looked up, she smiled when she realized to find it was only Enjolras. "You are breathtaking…"

Eponine blushed at his kind words. "Thank you."

"Indeed, you do."

Eponine looked to Enjolras left side, to see Marius standing there, her smile brightened. "Thank you." She said yet again.

A new tune filled the room, and Enjolras went to ask Eponine for a dance, but Marius beat him to it. "May I?" asked Marius, extending his hand out to his friend.

Eponine nodded, and took his hand into her's. Marius pulled her close to him, and the two began to dance across the floor. Enjolras watched them. "Now, you will see what I mean my friend." And with that said, Enjolras excused himself from the ball room, and escaped to the balcony.

A few feet away, Erik watched as Eponine danced with her friend. He smiled at her. They did look lovely together. Erik could tell much how much she cared for him. Perhaps, her plan would work tonight.

As Eponine danced, she could feel her heart beating a mile a minute. She had only dreamed of dancing with Marius. She could not believe that he was actually holding her so close in his arms. Eponine smiled at him.

"Why do you smile so?" Marius asked.

"I'm happy." She answered. "I have never been so close to someone before."

"What of your fellow?" Marius asked. "Surely you have danced with him. Is he here tonight?"

"We're not together anymore." Said Eponine, as she hung her head down. "We didn't last long to have such closeness."

"I am sorry." Marius told her. "If I find this fellow of yours, I will have a stern talk with him, it is his lose, not yours."

Eponine looked back and smiled once again Marius. As she did so, Marius looked deep into her eyes. He searched her soul and found what he had missed all these years. He found all the love she had for him. Enjolras had been right all along.

Eponine knew that her love for him was no longer a secret. She could see it in his eyes. Eponine found herself pulling herself closer to Marius. A familiar feeling washed over Marius and he found himself so he could brush his lips against hers. However, the dance ended before they could do so. Marius found himself pulling away.

"Marius…?"

Marius hung his head in shame. He could not look at her now. "I am sorry…"

Erik watched as Marius pulled away from his friend. The young gentlemen quickly went back to his future bride. Eponine was left all alone on the dance floor. Erik went quickly to her but before he could reach her, she fled from the ballroom. He followed her. The Phantom did not want her to be alone at a time like this.

Meg still had not found Cosette's friend. As she made another turn, a familiar black cape caught her eye. A cold shiver went down her spine. He was here! She could feel him. She would not lose him this time.

Eponine ran from the room, tears streaming down her face. She thought her plan would work. However, it didn't. Now, she was once again left alone, with no shoulder to cry on.

TBC…