Révolution du Cœur – Trusting Fate
Enjolras could only stare after Melodie's retreating figure. The girl was completely insane! How could one tiny female cause so much havoc in his plans? He didn't have time to contemplate the situation further as more people and furniture came piling in.
He knew they were almost ready but they were blind.
"Everyone! I need a volunteer! We need to know their plans! Someone!" he called out.
"I can find out the truth!"
Enjolras turned to see an unfamiliar face helping to reinforce the sides of the barricades. He couldn't help but stare blanking. A stranger offering himself up? What was this?
No. He could not question it. He would not. Let fate run its course.
He nodded at the gentleman to continue.
"I know their ways, fought their wars. Served my time in the days of my youth." His voice, calm and reassuring, made Enjolras nod in agreement. So they continued to build, quipping at each other all in good humor. Their new informant slipped away quietly and Enjolras sent a rare prayer after him for safety.
Seeing the man was safely away, he moved to mount the barricade with Marius. But, once again, ran head long into Melodie. Her focus wasn't on him though. Her gold gaze was suspiciously focused on the retreating informant's back.
Enjolras still had his hands on her shoulders when she finally looked at him. Her gaze was tight.
"Who was that?" Every word was laced with mistrust.
"A gift we should be grateful for. Don't question the good things fate hands to us Melodie." He kept his gaze steady on her, willing her to agree. Then again this was Melodie …
She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows at him.
"Don't be naïve Enjolras. You cannot deem something or someone good until the end of the story." Although her voice teased slightly, her eyes were completely serious.
"No literature now Melodie. You can quote at me later. Listen up; I have a special assignment for you." He watched as her eyes lit up with eagerness. He felt slightly bad that this mission was probably going to displease her. Knowing Melodie, she would see right through his words. He had to give it a shot though.
"I'm going to need you to get the little ones out of here when the fighting starts. I don't want any innocent lives lost. Promise me you'll do this when I ask?"
"Enjolras –"
"Melodie. Please. When I tell you to, promise me you'll get them to safety." He squeezed her shoulders to emphasize his words. Melodie continued to stare at him, her face a mask. Finally a small smile broke through. She reached up and placed a small hand atop his own. An extremely warm hand …
"Only if you promise that I can quote at you when this is all said and done." Her light request caught him off guard. He gaped at her openly.
"You mean it? When I say go, you'll go?" He was dumbfounded. Ever since Lamarque's death, she had challenged him at every turn, made herself far too available, and had completely … helped the cause.
"Oui Capitaine. I will follow orders." Enjolras released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"And then I shall return to help lead us to victory!" She winked at him as he stared in shock, again. Before he could say another word, she had spun him around and pushed him up the barricade.
Looking back down at her, Enjolras tried to suppress the blush threatening to creep up his neck. Her push had been necessary, but was pushing him up by his derriere necessary as well?
The hours passed. Darkness had fallen and they were all weary from the constant vigilance. Their company which that afternoon had been rambunctious and excited, was now one edge and unsure. The blackness of the night was oppressive and Melodie found her eyes straining to see everyone. Even Enjolras's golden head was hard to make out.
Melodie felt her expression soften. As the day had worn on, Enjolras had relaxed his usual stiff demeanor and had been encouraging and supportive with those that had started to complain about the situation. It had been a role reversal situation seeing as she had been snapping at them. Her patience was really starting to wear thin …
"He's back!"
The shout caused her to fall sideways. Springing up and muttering a curse, she scrambled up the barricade to finally see who this mysterious informant was.
"Listen my friends; I have done as I've said. I have been to their lines, I have counted each man. I will tell what I know."
Melodie felt unease course through her body. She recognized this man from somewhere … but where? She then heard Enjolras's voice in her head, telling her to trust fate. Frowning, she decided to comply and focused on the man's words.
"Better beware, they have armies to spare. The danger is real; we'll need all our cunning to bring them to heal."
"Have faith! If you know what their movements are we'll spoil their game. There are ways that a people can fight. We shall overcome their power.
Melodie looked up at Enjolras. Seeing his face tight with expectation, she felt that nagging worry return. Enjolras didn't trust readily and this instantaneous faith in this unknown man was too unusual to be good.
"I have over heard their plans. There will be no attack tonight. They intend to starve you out, before they start a proper fight. They'll concentrate their force. Hit us when it's light."
There was the faintest smirk playing about the man's mouth. That was it! This man! She had seen that smirk before when he had broken up a fight in the market place last week! He was …
"Liar!"
Melodie and the rest of Les Amis snapped around to stare increadously at Gavroche. The little urchin had a furious gleam of triumph on his face. Melodie knew that he had figured it out too.
"Good evening dear Inspector, lovely evening my dear."
In a great rush, Les Amis crowded the found-out inspector. Melodie felt a sense of grim satisfaction knowing she had been right about the man. That feeling died though at the look of murder on Enjolras's face. This was a fury she had never seen in him before. The betrayal seemed to cut him deeply. In the midst of wrestling with the inspector, she placed a calming hand on his shoulder. His eyes flashed to hers, and upon seeing the look on her face, he seemed to relax marginally. Their focus went back to Gavroche.
"I know this man my friends, he's inspector Javert."
Melodie felt her stomach fall out. Javert … the name sat like acid on her tongue.
"So don't believe a word he says, 'cause none of it's true. This only goes to show what little people can do!"
"Bravo little Gavroche, you're the top of the class." Combeferre called out.
"So what are we going to do with this snake in the grass?" Jolly spat.
Melodie reached out to brush Enjolras's hand, gaining his attention before he spoke. He bent his head to listen to her whispers.
"Don't kill him Enjolras, not yet at least." Her whisper was bordering on frantic, but she couldn't waste this opportunity.
Enjolras looked at her disbelievingly.
"Are you mad? He deserves death at the least after what he's done!" He whispered furiously.
"Of course I'm mad! I'm completely bonkers putting up with you lot! But we need him alive as leverage. He's high up in the government. He's just made himself the perfect bartering tool." She shot back.
Enjolras's face fell into a familiar look of serious contemplation. His gazed swung from her anxious one to Javert's apprehensive gaze to the ferocious looks of Les Amis. Finally he simply gazed at her for several minutes. Then without warning, he faced Les Amis.
"Take this man and throw him in the tavern in there. The people will decide your fate, dear Inspector Javert." Enjolras's voice held satisfaction at the words "the people". Javert wasn't having any of it though.
"Shoot me now or shoot me later, every school boy to his sport. Death to each and every traitor, I renounce your people's court!"
Melodie couldn't help but raise her own weapon to Javert's temple at the contempt in his voice for the people. Nothing, except Enjolras, infuriated her more than a man who thought himself above those around him. Enjolras was now the one reaching out a hand to calm her down. Seeing the plea on his face, she slowly lowered her weapon.
"We keep looking forward!" Marius reminded them all. At that, Javert was thrown into the tavern. He put up a fight though. Throwing his weight against those restraining him he broke free and punched Enjolras in the jaw. Melodie felt rage erupt inside her. Without thought, she rushed passed Jolly and Jehan.
Javert was attempting to rip apart the old piano. Melodie tackled him to the ground and wrestled him into a strangle hold. The others had regrouped and were rushing forward, now armed, to help. Punches and kicks were thrown.
"Melodie move!" Enjolras's shout commanded. Thinking fast, she rolled away in time to see Enjolras whack Javert on the head to knock the man out.
They all stood silent. The shock of the situation had rendered them all speechless.
Then came the rumbling.
All of their eyes fastened on the area just outside the barricade. The sound of marching feet set them all to running. Racing up the barricade walls alongside Jehan, Melodie felt light headed at the sight in front of her.
The French militia had arrived, fully armed, fully ready to kill.
