Chapter Four: Of Marius and Cosette
"…took him to Rue Plumet…."
"… alright?"
"Don't know…"
Enjolras cringed as the voices faded in and out around him. The first had been higher and nearly every other word cut off before finished. He finally allowed his eyes to slip open a little and he caught sight of Gavroche giving his report to Combeferre. "Who?" he managed.
Both gamin and student turned to look at their leader. Combeferre was at his side a moment later. "Awake now, are you?"
"Who's where?" Enjolras murmured.
"Gavroche found Marius."
"And you didn't get a good look?" Grantaire asked from his pallet.
"Nope. Sorry 'bout that, but the girl nearly saw me as it was."
Enjolras opened his mouth to speak, but Combeferre cut him off before he had the chance. "I know what you're thinking and as your doctor, I forbid it."
"You're not a doctor yet," the wounded man reminded him softly.
"I'm the closest thing you've got. The Republic will need you, Enjolras. You cannot waste your strength now. You'll need ever bit of it for when the real talks begin."
"You're better at negotiations, Combeferre."
"Perhaps, but this is yours. Your vision and your dream. You will lead the people where they need to go and show them what they can be, but to do that you must be alive and well. I don't know if you've noticed, but you have two holes in you, front and back. You can't go-"
"I will go, with our blessing or without. Marius may not have joined Les Amis, but he was one of us in spirit. He fought with us and I will not leave him in the hands of strangers."
Combeferre frowned deeply. "Then we'll take a carriage. It's not safe to be walking about out there."
"I will walk like any other man," Enjolras snapped, sitting up as best he could.
"Any other many would have more sense than you do," the med student mumbled, slightly irritated. "I'll make arrangements, lie back for now."
"I'm going to," Grantaire piped up. At Combeferre's weary look he grinned. "You're not getting him out of my sight again. Last time you did, he collapsed."
"I was just down the hall," Enjolras reminded him.
"True, but this is a ways away. I'm going too."
"Me too!" Gavroche exclaimed with a grin.
"I'm surrounded by men that have lost their minds," Combeferre grumbled. "Fine fine! Then Gavroche, make sure they rest until I get something set up."
"All right!" the boy answered enthusiastically and watched the elder man leave, shaking his head the whole way.
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"Enjolras?"
The revolutionary looked up, his glazed over eyes focusing once more. Combeferre was worried, he knew, but he supposed the other man had a right to be. He couldn't say just how much time had passed since his wounds and the royalists' surrender, but he was sure that it wasn't any more than forty-eight hours. The doctor-in-training had every right to be worried, but Enjolras had no time to wait about until his wounds healed. His first priority next to the Republic – and they all knew that was number one – was finding and rescuing Marius.
"It's all right."
"I didn't ask if it was, I was going to ask if you were."
Two blue eyes turned towards him, glaring only slightly. He had every right. "I'll be all right."
"And now?"
Enjolras sighed. "Stop pushing me, Combeferre," he murmured.
"I'm just asking if you're well," Combeferre snapped, a frustrated look crossing his features.
"Of course I am," the blond man said sarcastically.
"Well, then, if you're so well, is there a reason you're simply sitting there when the carriage has long since stopped?"
"Don't patronize me," Enjolras hissed, his brilliant eyes lighting up in an anger that Combeferre had never seen directed at him. He flung open the door and stumbled his way out.
The young surgeon watched as his friend straightened up, pale as snow, and walked stiffly to the door of he house. Did he plan to simple waltz up there and knock? Well why not? They had won, hadn't they?
It was nearing a minute and a half before the door was opened by a very shaky woman. She looked perfectly frightened bye the angel of doom standing in the door, eyes blazing in all of his wrath. "We're here for Marius Pontmercy."
"M-monsieur P-pontmercy is r-re-res-resting," she finally managed to get out.
"Then the master of your household, Madame."
She nodded, scooting off with a speed that was only from fear. The man that Enjolras recognized as the one from the barricades – the one in the National Guard uniform with the good aim – entered. His face spoke nothing of the inner turmoil within his soul.
Enjolras straightened himself as best as he could. "Monsieur, we've come for-"
"You can't have him."
"Excuse me? What right do you have to say-"
"Come."
Enjolras looked started at the curt sound the aging man's voice. He nodded silently and did so. As he was led down the hallway he asked, "May I ask your name, Monsieur? You fought with us, yet I do not know."
The man looked thoughtful for half a moment before answering. "Valjean. My name is Valjean." He pushed a door open silently and motioned for the revolutionary to look.
The blond man did so, and as he did his eyes fell upon something he wouldn't have imagined. Marius was held as no hostage, but as a guest. A guest with a sleeping girl curled up next to him.
"You see," Valjean said quietly, "he can't leave now. He must rest, recover, and then he may return to you."
Enjolras nodded his understanding and turned to leave, but turned back. "Why did you fight with us, Monsieur? Why did you save him?"
He motioned to the sleeping girl. "She loves him," he answered, as if it were all the explanation in the world.
And apparently it was, for Enjolras took that and left. Leaving his friend in the care of this stranger, but with full trust.
Melissa Brandybuck: Better is so relevant……
Caligirl-HPLVR: Awww! Thanks so much! Yeah:waves a "go Enjolras" flag:
LilCosette: Thanks! I like Gavroche too… He's adorable
Cecilia Carlton: I'm glad that turned out well. I enjoyed that bit, and I'm pleased you did too
Eponine Poe: Yes, Eponine died. I'm very sorry. I like her too. She has some of the best lines ever.
M Mabeuf: Thanks for the corrections.