Chapter Eight: "Who are you and what have you done with Enjolras?"
'Lamarque is dying. This is it,' Grantaire was saying to everyone gathered round the table. This was Enjolras, Bossuet, Joly, Jehan, Feuilly, Bahorel and Courfeyrac. These were the people who, to his knowledge, knew the truth about Grantaire. They had come to the Musain early and were discussing what was about to happen.
'We only have a few days left,' Grantaire continued. 'His funeral will be on the morning of June the 5th, and that is when the June Rebellion starts.'
'The June Rebellion?' Feuilly asked.
'That's what it becomes known as. Also, there is meant to be a lone horseman with a red flag who starts it by disrupting the procession, then shouts: "To the barricades!"
'Who should that be?' Bahorel asked.
'Enjolras, obviously.' Grantaire said.
'No, Grantaire, I will be elsewhere. I have to direct the building of the barricades.'
'Yes, about the barricade. Build it by the Corinthe, near Rue Mondetour and Rue de la Chanvrerie.'
'But isn't that where we build it historically? And fail?' Bossuet did not like the look of his chances.
'Yes, but we held out until the morning of June the 6th. I think we were one of the last barricades. I know the outcome of building the barricade there. I don't know what will happen if we build it somewhere else.'
'Grantaire is right,' Enjolras decided. 'We should not change our plans just to try and avoid our impending doom.'
'I thought you were an optimist, Enjolras.'
'No, I am an idealist. But if death is what history has in store for us, I will not fight it.'
'That sounds like you have given up!' Grantaire protested. 'You can't do that! I'm meant to be the one who does that and you scold me for it.'
'I have not given up, Grantaire. I have accepted my fate and I attempt make the most of the time we have left by fighting for freedom.'
Everyone echoed that sentiment.
'I won't blame you if you leave now, Grantaire.'
'Never. Don't ever forget what I told you.' He made eye contact.
Enjolras nodded.
Everyone else at the table was confused but decided not to pry. Just yet.
'But Enjolras, I disagree with you,' Jehan said. It was rare that anyone but Grantaire disagreed with Enjolras, especially shy Jehan.
'What about?' Enjolras asked curiously, without resentment.
'The horseman. I think he is very important. If he is one of the few things that are known about the rebellion, it is important we take care of it.'
'It's exactly the type of pointless thing we could have had that Pontmercy do, if he was not otherwise occupied.'
'You still misunderstand, Enjolras.' This time it was Courfeyrac that disagreed. 'If this is meant to be the symbol of the rebellion, I definitely do not want Marius to do it. While we all love him, he is entirely unsuited for this job. He has not even been coming to meetings.' Enjolras still did not look convinced. Courfeyrac considered what to say for a second. 'He loves Cosette more than France.'
This aggravated Enjolras.
'You are right. We need someone that represents the ideals of the rebellion.'
'I know one person.' Grantaire smiled.
He left and minutes later he returned with a grinning Gavroche.
'I'm going to ride a horse?' he said excitedly. Enjolras looked stupefied while everyone else present was dying of laughter.
'And wave the flag! Isn't that right, Enjolras?' Grantaire challenged the blonde man.
It seemed that Enjolras' reaction was not what he had expected. His stunned look slowly turned into a wide smile, one that was very rare on Enjolras' face.
'Yes, Grantaire! This is perfect! Gavroche represents the revolution perfectly! He knows life's hardships but he still helps others.'
'So, um, how are we going to teach him how to ride a horse? And where will we get a horse?'
'A friend of mine lives on a farm near here. He supports the rebellion so I am sure he will be happy to help.' Feuilly said.
'Perfect. Now, any other ideas for symbols of the revolution?'
'What if we wrote a song?' Jehan asked.
'Are you out of your mind, Jehan?' Bahorel said. 'Enjolras will find that even more pointless that the horseman.'
'No, actually, I am seeing this in a new light. Songs can be powerful, like puns. If everyone knows it, it can bring people together. Like La Marseillaise. I leave the writing of it to you, Prouvaire.'
'Oh, I've already written it.'
Joly laughed. 'Sing it, then!'
When he sang, Jehan's soft, timid voice suddenly became more masculine.
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!
'That is amazing, Jehan!' Grantaire was astonished. 'It makes me want to join. Wait – how about having a verse to get people to take part?'
'I'm already ahead of you,' Jehan answered and continued to sing the song.
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?
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!
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!
Will you give all you 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!
There was a pause, then Joly, Bossuet and Grantaire started to cheer. Everyone joined in.
'What is going on here?' Combeferre asked as he entered the café.
'I wrote a song and we're going to use it as a hymn!' Jehan was beaming.
'And I'm going to ride a horse and wave a flag!' Gavroche chipped in.
Combeferre was thoroughly confused.
'Was this your idea, Enjolras?' he asked doubtfully.
'We all thought of it together,' Enjolras smiled. This type of light-hearted behaviour really was odd for him.
'You have not missed anything. In today's meeting we will be learning to sing it.'
Combeferre's jaw dropped.
'Who are you and what have you done with Enjolras?'
However, this was not fully a joke.
Everyone suddenly realised Combeferre was the only one of their friends who did not know the truth about Grantaire. Enjolras was about to speak when the tiny figure of Gavroche ran up to Combeferre.
'I think you may not be in on this, Combeferre. Grantaire is from the future and this is proof,' he passed Combeferre Grantaire's phone, which Grantaire was sure had been in his pocket.
'Right…' Combeferre seemed doubtful. He looked up and stared at his friends, all looking at him. 'Wait, you're serious?'
'Press the button on the side and swipe up.' Bossuet said. Then he turned to Gavroche.
'Go catch it,' he whispered.
A sharp intake of air was heard, then a soft thud as Gavroche landed by Combeferre's feet.
