Révolution du Cœur – Cemetery of the Fallen

Melodie was still tracing her lips as she sat at the breakfast table the next morning. The scene with Enjolras kept playing over in her head and she was finding it difficult to focus on their shared problem of survival.

She had been hoping that the weather would clear so they could resume their walks in the garden but once again the sun had taken a holiday behind the clouds. Then again, perhaps a little stroll in the rain would cool their thoughts enough to work out some sort of plan …

Or she could simply revel in the feel of Enjolras's skin soaked with rain.

Yes, that did sound more pleasurable.

"You look like the cat that stole the cream."

Melodie turned to see her Arielle enter the room, eyeing her carefully.

"If I remember correctly, it was you who brought home that ragged kitten when we were ten sœur."

Arielle laughed and took a seat at her side. She looked radiant this morning, despite the gloom outside. Melodie couldn't help but be pleased by it. Her sister had always been the gentler soul and had been hit harder by their past than Melodie had expected. Being with Fabien was the best thing that could have happened to her.

She could only hope that maybe one day she would have the opportunity for such happiness.

"So why are you smiling so?" Arielle intruded on her thoughts as she fixed her morning tea.

"Oh, nothing. Just day dreaming I guess."

"Of god-like men with golden locks and a passion for discourse?" Arielle sipped her tea demurely but the look she sent over the rim of her tea cup was pure mischief.

Melodie grinned and rested her chin on her fist.

"Something like that."

Arielle was kept from answering as the door to the breakfast parlor swung open before Fabien and Enjolras. As Fabien bent to kiss his wife's cheek, Enjolras and Melodie stared at each other. She could feel the blush spreading on her cheeks but refused to look away. Enjolras's gaze was steady as well although it was becoming stormier as the seconds ticked past.

At last he walked further into the room. He went around Arielle and Fabien, who had entered into a muted conversation, and began to pass behind her as well.

She sucked in a breath as she felt him brush his fingers along the back of her neck. She unconsciously leaned into his touch and bent her head back slightly. As his fingers trailed away, Melodie turned head to see him smiling slightly.

"Good morning." She murmured. Enjolras smiled a bit more and took his seat beside her. He scooted close enough so his knee pressed against her own.

"And to you." He murmured back.

The butler came bustling in with the tray of morning pastries and a pot of coffee for the men. Arielle and Melodie had never been fond of the stronger beverage.

They all fell into easy conversation and ate slowly, as though avoiding whatever the grey day might hold. The tea tray had just been cleared when a knock sounded at the front door. Fabien frowned and motioned the returning butler to answer it.

A moment later he was ushering in Father Blanc.

After a quick round of greetings, he eyed Enjolras and Melodie sadly. Melodie felt dread creep into her stomach and reached out blindly for Enjolras's hand. She captured it quickly and felt him grip her hand just as strongly as he gripped his.

"Forgive the intrusion, but there was something I thought you'd both like to know."

Melodie nodded at the man to continue. He cleared his throat and tugged at his roman collar.

"Your compatriots were buried a few days ago. His Eminence and I finally found the cemetery they were interred in last night when we returned to Notre Dame."

Melodie felt her vision narrow and swayed in her seat. Enjolras's arm wrapped around her waist in an attempt to hold her up.

"Where?" She rasped at last.

"Cimetière des Morts, about thirty minutes outside the city." Father Blanc answered gently. Melodie turned wide eyes toward Enjolras. He seemed to be biting the inside of his cheek.

"Enjolras? Please?" She couldn't voice her desperation anymore. He swallowed and nodded before turning his eyes to Fabien.

"Would let us borrow your carriage? You have my word we'll return."

Fabien watched them with a guarded expression.

Melodie reached and gripped Enjolras's pant leg, her emotions barely in check. At last Fabien's expression softened.

"Very well. Just be back before nightfall."

They rose at once and practically ran toward the door. Melodie realized belatedly that her sister was following her.

Before she could make it to her room, Arielle had herded her into the master's suite. Once inside, she didn't say a word but moved quickly to the armoire. Melodie felt a wave of gratefulness as Arielle pulled out a dark grey gown trimmed with black velvet.

"It's not a traditional mourning dress, but it will hopefully do."

"Thank you." Melodie whispered brokenly. In a matter of minutes she was dressed and rushing downstairs as she tied on a black bonnet. Enjolras was waiting for her at the door and she flew to his side. Father Blanc had already left apparently.

"We'll return soon." He said to her sister and brother-in-law behind them. After a quick nod, they were out the door and hoping into the carriage.

The carriage rumbled through the city, past the cathedral, along the Seine, and toward the north gate. Melodie could feel Enjolras's gaze on her from across the seat, but she refused to look at him. She knew that if she saw the pain and anger reflected back in his eyes, she would lose control.

She couldn't afford that. She had to be strong.

"Hold!" Enjolras suddenly pounded on the roof of the carriage. It came to an abrupt halt and he sprang out into what appeared to be an open air market. Before she could think to call out for him, he was climbing back in.

Only this time his arms were filled with an enormous bouquet of lilies.

He handed them to her carefully. She choked back the tears that had gathered, realizing that he meant these for the graves.

They said nothing as the carriage rolled out of the city and towards the north.

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Enjolras watched Melodie carefully for the entire ride to the cemetery. She hadn't said a word since they'd left and her stare out the window had been strangely blank. It was almost as if she'd let her conscious self go.

Right before the hour struck, they reached the cemetery. Enjolras made his way out first and then helped Melodie down. She kept a grasp on his hand as they passed beneath the wrought iron gate and searched.

It only took a matter of seconds to spot the new graves. The white tombstones gleamed softly in the misty light. Melodie silently moved away from him, her fingers sliding from his slowly.

He followed her slowly. As the names on the graves came into view, he felt his stomach roll.

Their friends had been buried beneath the ground, unlike the wealthy around them whose tombs towered over the landscape.

Courfeyrac, Joly, Combeferre … they all deserved a magnificent memorial of white marble, decked with flowers and ribbons. Instead, a simple limestone block marked where they lay. Each name inscribed with the words "Gone to the Angels in the year of our Lord, 1832."

He walked along, remembering the times he had spent with each individual member of Les Amis. As he came to the next headstone, the breath rush out of his body.

"Oh Grantaire." He murmured. He clenched his fists and fought down the despair that threatened to overwhelm him. He squatted and ran a finger along the stem of the lily Melodie had placed at the base of the stone.

He felt panic sweep him as he saw Melodie sink to the ground out of the corner of his eye. Her bonnet had come loose and was held by the ribbon down her back. He scrambled up to reach her but as he approached she caught him off guard once again.

Melodie was singing.

Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light

For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.

They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord
We will walk behind the plough-share
We will put away the sword
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that we bring
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that we bring
When tomorrow comes!
Tomorrow comes!
Tomorrow comes!

Melodie's voice faded away and the tears took over. Great sobs wracked her body and she began to rock back and forth. Enjolras sunk to the ground beside her and wrapped her up in his embrace. He said nothing, just letting her cry as he pressed his lips to her hair. He looked to see who they knelt before and felt his heart clench at the names staring back at him.

Jehan and Éponine, buried side by side.

He wasn't sure how long they sat their but they were both startled into awareness.

"Enjolras? Melodie?" A strangled voice called to them.

They both snapped their heads up and stared open mouthed at the figure approaching them.

Marius Pontmercy was running toward them followed by a petite woman.

He was very much alive.

Enjolras helped Melodie up. She clung to him, her mouth still hanging open in surprised. He felt his own face frozen in shock. Marius slowed and came to a halt a few feet from them.

"I can't believe it. It is you! You're both alive!" Marius's voice was tremulous. He, like Enjolras, carried a cane but he seemed to be leaning on it more heavily.

"Yes. Yes we're alive." He finally said.

"I'm so glad. I didn't think – I thought that …" His voice faded away as he looked toward Melodie. Enjolras looked down at her as well. She was no longer in shock, but staring at the woman behind Marius with accusing eyes.

Marius cleared his throat and gestured to the young woman.

"Melodie, Enjolras, may I introduce my fiancé Cossette Madeleine?"

Before he could think to grab her, Melodie had flown at Marius.

"You bastard!" She screamed, her fists beating at his chest. Enjolras had never seen her in such a rage before.

"You horrible, rotten, bastard! She died for you and this is how you repay her? Engaged? How dare you! How dare you insult her memory like that!"

Enjolras finally came to his senses and hauled her back against his chest.

"Melodie stop!" He barked. She stopped struggling at his command but her sobs continued. Enjolras held her more tightly against him and put his lips to her ear.

"Hush mon ange, hush. Just breathe."

Melodie didn't answer him, she only continued to glare at Marius and Cossette. He looked at them too. He felt Melodie's pain, he truly did but he also knew that when it came to his heart, Marius had no choice.

"Perhaps you should both leave." He told the pair quietly. Marius frowned at him and stepped forward.

"No." Enjolras gaped. Marius had never flat out refused an order from him. The young man turned his attention back to Melodie who was watching him warily.

"Come back to my grandfather's house with us. We have much to discuss."

Melodie snorted at that.

"Please, I think we all need explanations." Cossette had finally stepped forward and spoken. Enjolras looked down at Melodie. Her expression was torn so he made up his mind for them.

"Alright. We'll follow behind in our carriage." He nodded to the conveyance parked just outside the cemetery.

"Thank you." Marius murmured and he hurried Cossette back towards their own coach, all the while stealing glances back at them.

Enjolras said nothing as he tucked Melodie against his side and made the way towards the carriage. He helped her inside and gave the driver instructions to follow the Pontmercy vehicle. Once the man had been informed of their plans, he climbed in himself. Instead of sitting across from her as society dictated though, Enjolras took his seat next to Melodie.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and looked down.

Her eyes were focused on him and more clear than they had been in the cemetery. She was questioning his decision, he could see that plain as day. But all he could do as the carriage started on its way, was hope that their present course was the best one.