Révolution du Cœur - The Funeral

The streets held even more people than Enjolras had dared to hope. Several of the women, and a couple of the men, had tears streaming down their cheeks and the coffin hadn't even passed them yet! As sad as the occasion was, as much as his own heart was heavy, Enjolras knew that this atmosphere would suit their needs perfectly. A revolution was born out of strong emotions and today was no different. Today would be the day.

Enjolras looked to Marius on his right. He looked slightly grim, yet there was determination in his eyes. Enjolras knew it was taking all of Marius' will power to not fly to his beloved's side. Looking at his friend carefully, Enjolras felt suddenly grateful to have him there. Marius was a naïve man. An innocent in the world he had chosen.

But he had chosen and Enjolras knew it had not been easy. He would never actually say the words, but he still put a hand on Marius's shoulder by way of thanks. He returned to observing the street. Les Amis were spread throughout the crowd, all being identified by the ribbons pinned to their chests. The colors of their revolution proudly on display.

Enjolras caught movement out the corner of his eye. Turning his head slightly, he noticed a small youth had slipped in next to him. Thinking nothing of it he started to turn back to the street when he suddenly caught site of a stray gold curl peeping out beneath the boy's grey cap. He turned fully as the figure swiveled its head to look him in the eye.

It was Melodie. He was vaguely impressed by her disguise. Even as sharp as he was, she had managed to fool him. The thought made him frown. Upon seeing this, she raised her eyebrow at him. He simply shook his head. She gave him a faint nod and returned her eyes to the street. He did the same.

As focused as he was, Enjolras couldn't help but be mightily aware of Melodie's presence. Her body was giving off that enveloping heat again and it was beginning to distract him. He even felt himself sway slightly toward her. Then a shout went up, bringing him back to the moment.

The large black coffin pageant was finally making its way down the street. A wail went up from the crowd. Enjolras heard another sound coming from his left. Jehan and Melodie were humming. He quickly caught the tune and began to sing.

"Do you hear the people sing, singing the song of angry men? It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again! When the beating of your heart, echoes the beating of the drums, there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!"

Les Amis joined in and so did some of the people. They were so close now! He and the rest of Les Amis moved out to swarm the procession, causing the guards to freeze in amazement.

"Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?"

The entire street was singing with them now. He made an instant decision and swiftly climbed up on top of the carriage, unfurling the red flag of the rebellion as he steadied himself.

"Then join in the fight that will give you the right to be free!"

Everyone was raised in song now. Marius, Courfeyrac, and Combeferre towered around him. Just below Jehan stood with Melodie and another youth he didn't recognize. All around him, Les Amis and the people stood on the brink of change. Enjolras felt his heart swell with pride.

"Do you here the people sing? Singing the song of angry men? It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again! When the beating of your heart, echoes the beating of the drums, there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes! Will you give all you can give so that our banner may advance? Some will fall and some will live. Will you stand up and take your chance? The blood of the martyrs will water the meadows of France!"

Enjolras felt a foreign twinge of foreboding at this line, but forced it away.

"Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men? It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again! When the beating of your heart, echoes the beating of the drums, there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!"

The crowd fell silent. The militia had moved in to block the way and was pointing weapons at them. Almost simultaneously, he and Marius pulled their weapons. Enjolras felt as though his heart was going to burst from his chest. If this was to begin in blood, so be it. This was the time.

Suddenly a shot went off. An old woman in the crowd had been hit by one of the militia men. Things went to hell at once. People began screaming and Feuilly called the man a murder. Shots rang out and the cavalry charged at the protestors. Enjolras knew they needed to retreat.

"Melodie! Melodie!" Enjolras searched the mayhem for her. Two pair of golden eyes stood out and they were focused behind him.

"Enjolras down!" Her cry was anxious. Thinking fast, Enjolras dropped to the ground as she quickly fired at a militia sniper behind him. Once on his feet, he located her again. Her eyes met his again and he could see the concern as she scanned his body for injuries.

"Go! Send word we're coming and take Gavroche with you!" She nodded once and complied quickly. Grabbing Gavroche by the scruff of his neck, she took off into the dust. Firing off shots to buy time, Enjolras began counting in his head. Once he reached thirteen, he knew they were out of time.

"To the barricade!" He and Les Amis started to run back to Café Musain. As they went, they picked up the spare furniture and wood that people were tossing from their windows. The people were with them. The time was now. Enjolras could only hope Melodie and Gavroche had run as quickly as possible.


"Come on mon petit coquin! We've got a job to do!" She seized Gavroche by the neck and took off back to Café Musain. Once they had cleared the gun fire, she set Gavroche loose, commanding him to take the eastern route while she took the western.

As she hurried along Paris's dusty streets, she gave up the shout of the start of the revolution. Her cries of "Liberté!" caused people to cheer. Even so, she let her mind drift. Her feet had walked these streets too many times to actually get lost.

Her mind went back to this morning. Les Amis had gathered in the upper rooms of Café Musain to go through on last preparation check. Éponine had slipped out before she had woken up, so Jehan and Melodie had gone to the café together. Before slipping out though, she had opened up the secret drawer in her wardrobe and pulled out a worn, red silk handkerchief. Feeling that the object in it was still secure, Melodie had slipped it into her pocket and rushed out after Jehan.

Once at the café, she had been thrilled that no one had recognized her. Not even Enjolras had realized who she was when he had stepped forward and pinned the revolutionary ribbon to her chest. She had been worried he would notice the object in her pocket but it had been for not. What had concerned her even more was that her heart had been beating to jump out of her chest. That alone should have revealed to Enjolras her identity.

Thankfully though he'd been too focused to notice.

Melodie smiled ruefully to herself as she turned the last corner to Café Musain. She was fairly certain that Enjolras wouldn't have noticed her in that moment even if she had only been clad in the red flag of the rebellion. The thought brought a flush to her cheeks. Enjolras seeing her bare was a fantasy for another time.

"Everyone! They are coming! Quick, throw all the wood you can! We have to start this barricade!"

The street harboring the café flew into action. Melodie and the neighbors began to build as Gavroche came charging down the street carrying more wood. The kid looked too proud and it became apparent why in a matter of minutes. Gavroche's army of ragamuffins were marching up to the barricade and depositing more wood scraps.

Melodie just returned Gavroche's grin and returned to work. Minutes later she heard Les Amis arriving. Thankfully they brought more materials with them. The boys paused briefly to admire the already started barricade.

Jehan, Combeferre, and Grantaire moved to stand with her. Grantaire was obviously tipsy and pressed a sloppy kiss to her cheek. Usually she would have smacked him, but the strong feeling of elation sweeping through them all was infectious and she only ruffled his dark hair. She caught sight of Combeferre staring at Gavroche and his mini army. The poor man was gaping like a fish, his mouth opening and closing in disbelief. Melodie understood his concern. Gavroche was like a little brother to all of them (quite literally to Éponine) but he was closest to Combeferre. Melodie put a hand on the man's shoulder.

"He'll be fine. He the smartest of all of us." Combeferre just shook his head.

"They can't stay here Melodie." Melodie whirled around to face Enjolras. He was closely followed by Marius and Éponine in disguise.

"I know Capitaine. I'll make sure the small ones get out of here before the army arrives. But you know that there's no getting rid of Gavroche. He's one of us." Her voice was half joking, half firm. Enjolras nodded. Melodie turned her eyes to Éponine. The girl had wandered off after Marius again. Melodie frowned but didn't have much time to contemplate the situation as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning once again, she met Jehan. Wordlessly he handed her a new pistol, freshly loaded. She nodded her head in thanks.

The exchange didn't go unnoticed though.

"No Melodie. Don't even consider it." Enjolras's voice was cold. Melodie finally cracked and whipped around to glare at him. As much as she loved this man, he could really be thick sometimes.

"No Enjolras. Don't you consider sending me away. I will not abandon all of you. Les Amis is my family and family sticks together. I will not leave and there's no way in heaven or hell you can make."

Enjolras marched forward to stare her down. Those gorgeous storm blue eyes of his were furious. Melodie knew she should be scarred of that look but she was too busy fighting between being angry with him and wanting to drag his lips to hers.

"I could forcibly remove you." He ground out.

That was it. Furry it was.

Reaching up she clutched a fistful of his red coat. Raising herself up on her toes so that her lips were a breath away from his own, she let him see the gold lightening flashing in her eyes.

"I'd like to see you try Capitaine." Her whisper was filled with barely contained rage. Enjolras seemed to falter and she let him stumble back a step. She could hear Grantaire sniggering in the background but didn't spare him a glance. Her eyes stayed trained on their less-than-glorious-at-the-moment leader. Enjolras smoothed his coat and looked at her critically before speaking again.

"Stubbornness is the strength of the weak." Enjolras glowered. Melodie frowned at him and stepped up to him again.

"Enjolras?" She asked in her sweetest voice possible. He seemed unnerved by her sudden change of mood.

"Y-yes?" Melodie knew she was far too close to him for either of them to be comfortable but the look of apprehension on his face was new and delicious.

"You told me last night I was to come and tell everyone you all were on your way right?" Her voice was light, as though she was discussing the weather.

"Right …" Enjolras drawled out.

"I always follow your orders Capitaine. Your last order was to tell me to stay put when I got here. And by all that's holy, I'm going to do just that." She said flatly.

With that, she pivoted and flounced into the barricade, Enjolras' incredulous stare behind her and Grantaire's laughter ringing in her ears.


Quote by Johann Kaspar Kavater