A/N:Next chapter. I haven't written or thought much of a fanfiction like this before, as I'm so used to Valjean taking just Cosette. It is enjoyable to write, so I hope it is just as enjoyable to read. Review any feedback, whether it's criticism or nice stuff. :)

Chapter Four: Combs and Ribbon

Cosette woke up at noon the next day. When she realised she was in a bed and not on the floor, she sat up quickly. Her eyes adjusted to the light.

Then she remembered.

She scooped her doll of the floor-as it had fallen out of bed in the night-and cradled her gently. The doll had golden hair and brown eyes. Cosette couldn't help marvelling at the silk dress as she touched it. She could barely believe this was real. She hadn't touched silk since she was three years old-this she could scarcely remember. It was hard to believe that this wasn't a dream; it was only the gnawing hunger in her stomach that told her otherwise.

She glanced across the bed. Eponine was curled up at the top corner, the doll in her arms. She was motionless like she was sleeping, but her eyes were open. She only looked up when the door opened.

The stranger who'd taken them last night was stood in the doorway.

"Good afternoon. You're both awake in time for lunch." He smiled warmly at them. Then he seemed to remember something.

"I got you both something else last night." He took something out of his bag. There were two woollen dresses and a pair of shoes for Cosette, to replace her wooden clogs. Both girls were given a comb each too. As pretty as the silk Eponine had worn had been, it wasn't the warmest of fabrics so her woollen dress was more comfortable. Valjean left the room to leave them to get changed.

Neither of the girls spoke to eachother. Both reacted differently to the clothes. Eponine was grateful to her dress, although it was plain black and she preffered the coloured ones she was used to wearing. Cosette was overjoyed, as she hadn't worn anything but rags over the past five or so years.

Eponine was changed quicker than Cosette, who spent a long time marvelling at the dress before actually changing into it. She laid her more expensive dress beside her bed. It was torn in places with flecks of dried blood on from when her father had beaten her. She still had a bruise across her face.

She flinched as the bruise was touched. She looked up. Cosette was stood beside her. She'd drawn her hand back as quickly as Eponine had flinched.

"S-sorry, 'Ponine. I was curious. He did it, didn't he?" Cosette asked timidly. Her face was still as dirty as ever, as was her dull light blonde hair. However, her blue eyes were now filled with hope.

"It's nothing. Mind your own business." Eponine replied, grabbing her comb and trying to work it through the ends of her dark hair.

"I have seen him do it lots. He was mean-" Cosette trailed off after a glare from Eponine.

"I beg your pardon, 'Ponine. I do think we should try to get along, though, living here. I know you're not mean really, although you act like it sometimes. We're not at the inn anymore, it's different here." The words were gushing out of Cosette's mouth. Eponine's green eyes stared at her. Cosette stopped, meeting her gaze.

"Why don't you brush your hair? Monsieur will be waiting." Eponine resumed combing. The room was silent for a moment, except for the swishing of the comb. Cosette watched as Eponine then braided her hair into one long plait at the side.

"'Ponine?" She asked, timid as usual, once Eponine had tied a red ribbon in a bow at the end.

"Yes?" Eponine sighed.

"I wish I could do my hair like that. I saw you and 'Zelma often styled each other's. Your old dolls'-"

"Don't mention Azelma or the doll." Eponine suddenly snapped, standing up to walk to the other side of the room.

However, Cosette grabbed her wrist.

"Sorry, 'Ponine, but you can't be upset about them forever." A sudden boldness took over Cosette. "They were mean at that inn. All of them. They cast us out. But everyone here is nice. Even our dolls are nicer-your parents wouldn't have bothered buying you that doll, would they? All I'm saying is..." Cosette looked at Eponine, who was actually listening intently now, "...if you let me, we could be friends. If we get along, it'll be so much nicer to live here than if we were hating each other forever."

Cosette stopped to take a breath, shocked she'd said all of this. Eponine looked just as shocked. Then she sighed: this time just a tired sigh, not an exasperated one. She picked up Cosette's comb, and motioned for her to sit down.

After Cosette's hair had been brushed, it was still a dull colour, but it wasn't as dirty now. It had a few slight waves and was very sleek. Eponine then did it in the same style as her own, tying it with a red ribbon.

"Thank you, 'Ponine!" Exclaimed Cosette.

"M'sieur will wonder where we are." Eponine stood up. She propped her doll against the head of the bed, then headed towards the door. Before pulling it open, she turned to Cosette.

"I don't hate you, you know." Was all she said, before leaving the room.

Cosette left her doll next to Eponine's, before skipping to the door to join everyone for lunch.

Lunch consisted of baguettes, butter and apples. It wasn't much, but it was more than Cosette felt like she'd ever eaten before.

The girls were quiet, but Valjean and Fauchelevent talked.

"So you took both girls in?" Fauchelevent asked. "Yes." Valjean replied. "Well. Looking at this thin child-Cosette, is that your name?" Cosette nodded. "Those innkeepers can't have been very fair. They're lucky, these girls, to have been taken away."

Both men glanced at Eponine, worried she'd be offended at this comment about her parents. She shrugged.

"They were mean people." She repeated what Cosette had said earlier, causing her to smile. "They were thieves." She added.

Valjean tensed. The innocent words of this girl caused a spark of his past guilt to rise.

A/N: (Yes, another author note). I decided to have Cosette and Eponine looking a bit like they do in the cartoon version of Les Mis (Shoujo Cosette).That's why Eponine has green eyes in this, in case you wondered why.

Anyway, please review your opinions on my story so far :)