A Star within the Barricade
Javert held the simple band upwards, Marianne could hardly believe her eyes at the sight of such a thing. Never in all her day's did she think she would get such an offer from him, or anyone in that matter. Yet there she stood, a man kneeled before her offering marriage. Not just any man either; Inspector Eugéne Javert.
"You are certain?" Marianne couldn't help but ask, if she did not how would she know if this wasn't a random act of impulse, some kind of madness formed within an hour or so, or the result of alcohol? But, he stared up at her with his usual cold eyes and sighed; "You believe I would do such a thing if I wasn't certain, I am not a man of foolish or half-hearted actions." He waited once again for her reply, growing ever anxious as time ticked by. "Yes." Marianne answered simply, which seemed to throw Javert off completely; "Yes as in 'yes' to the proposal or 'yes' to my question on my character?"
Marianne rolled her eye's at his question, it was a rare thing when Marianne saw Javert be quite dim. "Yes to the proposal."
So, the ring was then placed on her finger with a surprisingly decent fit. He stood from his knee's, making Marianne anxious as he towered over her once again. But, rather than being the comfortable embracing lovers who had just found happiness in a simple question; they were silent, deathly so.
They remained that way also until Marianne cleared her throat, giving Javert the signal to give her a hug, which was perhaps the most still and brief contact she ever had off him. With the small unsatisfying hug over; he left the room shortly after and left her rather confused and utterly bewildered as to what to do.
He had proposed. She had said yes. They were engaged to be married and yet now she was alone. Odd.
Although they had just been engaged, Javert was not one to waste time in spreading the news.
In fact, as they walked together in the market the following day, they were given many a congratulations from passers by and apparent acquaintances of Javert's. "That spread quickly." She looked up as she walked by his side, her arm in his as they casually walked through the market. He didn't bother looking down as he replied; "Yes, it is the manner of this town - to enjoy idle gossip." He was true, but it surprised her how he was so calm. "Ah. I suppose so." Their conversation was lacking since the engagement, in her eyes it was odd. Un-engaged they were dynamic, the presence of a golden ring now made them rather dull and quiet in each others presence.
They walked silently together, went home and sat quietly with perhaps a few words during dinner. Then he went off and she was completely alone until he returned, but even then he went straight to bed and left her to go to bed also; in separate rooms still. The morning's were of the same routine; eat, quiet, some talking but then he would be gone for most of the day. Rinse and repeat.
She felt rather lonesome, craving his company and being deprived, the seconds of contact they had felt like a sweet agony she wished to contain. But it was of no use as he would be gone shortly after. As a friend they were close and thriving, blossoming. As his Fiance she was neglected and lonesome - wilting under the lack of contact.
This distance continued for a matter of days until he appeared one with a large bag in his hand. "Come." He spoke bluntly and left her to naturally follow after him. He led her into her room and placed the bag upon the bed. "What is this?" She approached it with curiosity but he began to unzip it, meaning it was short lived. "I found you a wedding dress I thought suitable."
"What?" Marianne couldn't help but be confused. She hadn't expected the wedding to be so soon, in fact, she hadn't heard a single detail of a wedding. "Your wedding dress, I'm told it is the pride of the dressmakers which I bought it from, he was more than happy to oblige as I saved his daughter from some undesirable scum and sent them to the Bagne of Toulon for their crimes against the girls virtue." He removed a fine white silk from the bag, Marianne couldn't stop herself from gasping as she stepped forward. "He was more than happy to give me this, I described him to you to the best of my ability and it was altered to fit what I could describe." He didn't seem too fussed on looking at it, but Marianne was in a fix.
It was a beautiful gown, in the finest silk she had ever seen with ornate roses and pearls but it remained simple. Javert left the room and allowed her time to put the clothing. She took the time to fix her hair into a suitable up-do for the occasion, adding some clips which were in the bag.
In the bag also was various under clothing with a corset, she called Javert back in to assist her; he laced the corset rather tightly, but she suspected it was due to his heavy handedness. She didn't comment on the fact she could barely breath and put the dress on, Javert remained to help button up the back. She felt beautiful. As she turned, he looked down to examine her and his eyes changed slightly, only a brief swap but it made her flutter regardless.
"Do I look okay?" Marianne bit on her lip, feeling rather tense as he stood silently watching, examining and judging her. He looked smart as usual dressed in uniform, but she noted he had but on his medals. "You are..." He felt his throat tense up, unsure how to say it. Beautiful? Ravishing? Heaven Sent? Divine? All words which didn't hold a candle to how she looked; many would say she was plain but to him she was the finest beauty, dressed simply in a fine silk but her smile and glow radiated and rendered him completely dumb. "Adequate." The word came out as a replacement for the words that were not enough; this one was definitely not enough. But the hurt in her eyes was all too clear, disappointment on her face and a slight tremble upon her lip. He felt awful, like a knife twisting in his stomach; he wanted to change what he had said, to make it better and describe the truth of what he meant. But it was too late and she took his arm silently to be led off.
They remained silent even in the carriage he hired especially for the moment, she looked rather sad as they went to the church.
The church was filled with various people from those Javert had helped, those whom he had worked with and those he managed to find who knew Marianne or were acquainted with her; Including Maurice. It was only a small church and a modest setting, but it was what he could pull together to make it a bit more better than just the two of them in simpler settings. Wedding day's were dreamed of by girls and he wasn't going to crush whatever dream she may of had.
The surprise of her friend's attendance was enough to make Marianne smile again, she hugged Maurice tightly and almost cried in the knowledge that the man who was as close as a father to her as she had would take her down the aisle, as small as it may be. Javert had disappeared into the church and left her time to talk with the man before she went in. "I can't believe this is happening, it all like a dream." Marianne laughed a little, wiping her eyes over bashfully. Maurice took her arm in his with a sigh. "I knew you'd do well, you're a good girl. Everyone knows that. You deserved more than us simple folk." He patted her hand gently with a small, sad smile. His hand was rough from the day's of hard work before he owned the Café, "The boy's wish you best of course, they couldn't attend for...obvious reasons." He looked to the ground for a moment before he went on; "I want you to be happy. You've had a hard life, you deserve to be happy with the best of them." Maurice was a kind man, who had looked after her since she removed herself from her mother.
If the day couldn't be good enough, the sight of little Gavroche dressed smartly with his usually wild hair tamed back was enough to turn her already giant smile into a even bigger one; "Look at you Gavroche!" The boy scowled and held out flowers. "I'm only doin' it for you - An' he paid me." He looked down at his smart shoes with a huff. "Otherwise I'd be in me usual stuff." He rocked on his heels, looking a little embarrassed. "You look very handsome Gavorche,"
Gavroche wasn't too pleased to learn Maurice was taking her down the aisle, meaning that she now had Maurice on one arm as Gavroche held the other. THey finally entered the church and it was time for her go.
Javert was nervous, in fact beyond nervous. He was getting married. He had never wanted to get married, never doubted his solitude and never in his years longed for any female company. He was a content man doing his duty and now his world was upside down. The other officers came with loud cheers and patted him on the back, saying they owed him drinks in celebration. "Good'n she is, looks nice - Kind face I mean." Claude, one of the more mild men was smiling, being less vulgar than the others who went on to discussion of the wedding night. As things turned more rowdy Javert dismissed them and stood in place in waiting of Marianne.
As she appeared, he expected he'd be fine with it, but emotion hit as he saw her, on Maurice's arm with Gavroche's hand in her other, walking towards him. Prepared to be his wife. It was a strange swell of emotion, unexpected and raw. Knocking him completely dumbfounded and lost for words. Leaving him staring in shock that a woman such as her would marry such a man as he, so cold and unrefined as he was. It wasn't exactly a secret he wasn't talented when it came to conversation, or expressing himself. Even being around other people was uncomfortable. Yet she saw beyond it; she was prepared to marry him.
Once she reached him and was given away by Maurice, he couldn't take his eyes off her, aside from the moment that Gavroche gave him a rather obvious warning look to treat her right.
He looked into her eyes, fighting his urge to grin like an idiot and masking himself with his usual cold expression. He knew if he didn't he'd end up breaking any resolve he had and perhaps make a complete emotional wreckage out of himself. He wasn't used to such feelings and now he had them it was like he couldn't control them, it was either two extremes - over the top or cold. And he preferred cold.
The sacrament's and vows were exchanged; all that was left was the sealing "I do's" He looked at her, and as he was asked the question he had no uncertainty in his answer. "I Do." He spoke clearly and brisk, knowing it was the correct thing to do. He was never more sure of something in his life.
Marianne looked down at the floor shyly as she was asked, feeling nervous to look at him. He was so calm it scared her, made her feel weak for being such a mess. But she managed to choke out the words from under her wreckage of emotion; "I Do." And with those words their marriage was sealed, almost.
"You may now kiss the bride."
They looked at each other for a silent moment; the whole church was quiet with waiting. He leaned down to her considerably shorter height, intending to be brief with a peck for necessity and leaving it there; but as their lips touched it continued beyond formality and lingered. For a while.
It was only when the officers hooted that he withdrew with a obvious scowl. They walked from the church as man and wife, arm in arm. Marianne was over joyed, looking for Gavroche; he was nowhere to be seen.
They were among the crowd of guests, getting congratulations and wishes of happiness, rice being thrown with laughter and causing Javert to scowl further as some hit him on the head. Marianne just laughed as he looked like a sulking puppy.
It was as this happened the figure of Gavroche ran through the crowd, looking rather out of breath as he did. "Mari', Mari!" He took a gulp full of breath as he reached her, his eyes wide. "What's the matter?" She kneeled to his shorted height and he frowned; "General LeMarc is dead!"
The words hit her like ice water, knowing their meaning and fearing it even more. "Oh." She felt slightly faint, knowing it was nearing. Javert found her side, taking her by the elbow and leading her away to the carriage. "What is the matter?" He spoke in his usual calm drawl, Marianne felt ill. "General LeMarc is dead."
He looked at her briefly, understanding her shock. This would be a starting point in a potential uprising. Troubles were ahead. He didn't voice this matter as if he did it would confirm her worries. He acted as if it were simply a shame. "It is of no shock, his health was declining. God rest his soul." He spoke smoothly and led her into the carriage.
They sat in a eerie silence for a moment until Javert spoke; "Do not let the news worry you, the man is surely in god's kingdom now." Marianne smiled for his attempt of easing her worries. It was a small gesture that made her feel immensely better. "That is true." She whispered softly at his side. Javert didn't really know what to say. They were married.
The silence remained until Javert spoke of the first thing he thought of, which proved to not be the best conversation starter.
"So, it seem's from now we will be sharing a room.." And with that the silence they were in was now even more acknowledged and awkward.
They were now both thinking of the same thing; The wedding night.
Marianne felt sickness with nerves grow in her stomach. She had no idea what to expect, her mother's customers came to mind and it made her fear the night to come, would it be the same? Her mother was miserable. She hoped for tenderness and love, the life her mother led before the death of her father. The love they felt under their pains and troubles.
Javert meanwhile was processing the fact he would be lying with Marianne in only a few hours. Intimately. It was a daunting fact, yet he knew it was what his soul and body wanted, the temptations of their whole relationship would be resolved and their affections solidified, their souls and bodies joined. It was daunting and yet it was exciting. He knew she would be an innocent, he would have to guide her through it and be gentle. Give her the kindness and caring she deserved.
Those short hours flew by, they returned to their home, spending time to simply relax and speak before eating. The hours melted away and left them with only one thing to do; to retire.
They entered the bedroom they would now share together silently. Javert put away his uniform, standing casually as Marianne stood near the dresser, her hand supporting her trembling body. Making her feel more secure. He could see from even his distance how shaken she was.
He approached, placing his hand upon her shoulder. She didn't turn to face him, but stared outwards. "C-..Could you help me please?" Her voice a shy whisper. He did what was asked and removed the dress, folding it carefully and putting it aside. Returning to her to unlace the corset, she allowed it to fall to the floor once it was loose enough to do so.
She stood in simple under clothing, a thin scrap of material separating him from her skin. His hand upon her shoulder, almost touching her bare flesh. "Are you nervous?" He asked simply, feeling her shaking through his touch; "Yes." She whispered, barely being able to even speak as he stood behind her. He took his other hand, placing it upon her other shoulder and stood slightly closer. "Don't be nervous." He rather shyly pulled the material from her shoulders, feeling a familiar pressure rise in his throat. She was trembling so gently under his touch, he feared he had even hurt her. His hand traced the line up her back, to the nape of her neck until his hands remained on her shoulders once more, touching the pale flesh there. "I won't hurt you" He sighed, being so close to his skin that his breath touched it and caused her to tremble. He leaned forward just a bit more. "We are joined in marriage, in heart and soul and this is simply us showing that. Showing our affections in a physical level which cannot be expressed by words." His hands continued near her shoulders. His lips so close to her skin, enticing him to lean closer; which he did. As she trembled under his touch, he placed a gentle kiss upon her neck where it met her shoulder, causing her to gasp with the small contact. "I'd never hurt you; Do you trust me?" His lips remained close to her skin, breathing a warm flush of air near her neck. "Yes." She mumbled, inviting him to take her hand.
He took her small hand with a subtle smile, her trust perhaps meaning more than she would know. With it, knowing she trusted him fully and he knew he trusted her - He led her forward in small, shy steps. Placing her upon the bed. They sat upon it silently, he placed her hands upon his own shirt, allowing her to remove it as he had removed her undergarments a little. Leaving her neck and shoulders bare; She pushed away his shirt, leaving him bare from the chest and revealing himself to her. They were equally nervous, equally trembling. Their nervousness the same, confirmed in their eyes. She lay back, inviting him forward, allowing him above her.
He pushed her hair from her face gently, his lip twitching in a slight smile. An electrical buzz flickering between them both as they exchanged glances and touches. The moment growing ever closer, the moment that they'd be joined fully. She took his hand in her own as he looked at her for confirmation, and she smiled, inviting him fully. Giving him her complete trust. He leaned down, pressing his lips nervously against hers and so it began. Beginning with gentle, shy kisses until passions ran and they were joined, bared to each other and vulnerable. Trusting and accepting.
Their feelings confirmed and their desires unleashed until they were finally joined in mind, soul and body.
The days which followed were filled with a strange new thing, they were both contented in their relationship, knowing the other was fully open and honest, that they were both now on a level of understanding and caring that they had lacked before; they were united.
They spent each moment together with a smile, even Javert - He couldn't hide his smiles anymore. For every time he looked upon her, it was a new delight. Knowing she was his completely. Their affections were open and even in public places, everyone saw them doting on each-other, smiling and laughing, many couldn't believe the difference in Javert, the change. They didn't expect him to be that way, and the sight of it was certainly shocking.
All was well, or at least it was until the day of General Lemarc's funeral.
The people lined the streets, among them a casually dressed Javert and Marianne. Watching the coffin go past with the usual display for a man of his ranking. But it was a new sight, of the people in mourning. It was a rare thing to see a man in such a position to be so beloved by the people. They all mourned him as he were apart of their families. But it was shortlived as a sudden energy flowed through the crowds and unleashed what Marianne and Javert had feared; The Les Amis's revolution. The uprising. The guards were outnumbered, the people spurred on by their troubles and hardships. It looked as if there would be another revolution as the people moved quickly to their posts, ready to make barricades of their own. An electricity ran through the crowd once again, but there were two who didn't feel the same. Who were not thinking the same way; Javert and Marianne.
"I must go, it is my duty!" He shouted through the loud noises, knowing he would be needed to stop the school boy's in their idiocy, but Marianne was horrified. "You cannot, it is not right!" Marianne shouted also, but in frustration and hurt; "The people need this, the people have a voice!" But Javert knew better. "They have know chance, no chance at all. They're throwing their lives away. We have armies to spare and their force is tiny. It is a token of death for anyone who stands with them." Javert was warning her in his way, telling her not to go as he could see it ablaze in her eyes, the same force that drove Enjolras - Her love for Patria, her hope for a better life. "I will not go with you Eugéne, I will not side with this. I do not believe in this!" Marianne cried out, knowing he was going to follow his duty.
"There is more to life than the law, the law isn't always right Eugéne, there are lives at stake, people's lives all around france, there is more to life than simple duty - It is not so black and white like that!" The crowd ran around them and yet all they saw was each-other. "I have to do my duty, I have sworn before god to perform my duty - It is who I am and I will not change Marianne, A man like me can NEVER change." He sounded brutal, and the truth was, he was a brutal man. He knew this now, for he saw it in the tear filled eyes of Marianne, the eyes which stared so helplessly back at him - "You did change, you are my Husband!" She knew it was hopeless, for the man that stood before her wasn't her husband. It was the cold and ruthless Inspector Javert; "As you are my wife and your duty is to me, go home Marianne." He spoke as a command and yet she would not hear it.
"No, I will not because I have a beating heart; a heart which beats with the blood of a person who wants freedom, who wants liberation and hope, who knows the different between mindless duty and what is right! I know where I stand Eugéne and I know you're better than this, you know as I this is how it should be!" She placed her small hand on his, her hands so tiny as they clutched his. "What is more important to you Eugéne, what is fundamentally right or what is conventionally right, What is needed or what is expected? What you thought was right or what you know is good?" She remained holding his hand, looking at him with heart crushingly pained eyes, her cheeks stained with tears she didn't know had began to flow. For he remained in the shell of being cold, being Inspector Javert - Sworn to duty. But under it all, he was in hell.
"What will it be Eugéne - Your duty or me?" And with those words they were silent among the chaos. Marianne's eyes locked with his, both equally pleading the other to stop their madness. Both disagreeing and praying the other would see sense. Both knowing that it seemed completely and utterly hopeless. Both fearing the same thing;
The beginning of the end.
:( Aw the beginning of the end - I really love this story too, but alas it all must come to an end, and I have been writing rather long chapters, so it just seems shorter, if I wrote 2000 word chapters each it'd be double, but I write lots.
So there's two potential endings to this, now I want those who read to comment what they'd prefer out of the three choices below;
Big ol' ball of fluff/Romantic ending The typical Victor Hugo/Les Miserables styled ending I write both and link them in the next chapter for you to pick.
I Have idea's for them both but I'm not sure what you all want, I've heard fluffy so far but no one's really replying in comparison to people who have viewed and such, so I'll leave it open for a little while and begin to write down the 100's of idea's for stories I'm having involving Phantom of the Opera/Les Mis (again)
But don't worry. 80% of it is focused on Marianne and Javert.
Hoped you liked my mushy chapter, lovely mushy romance, it's a wedding I can't make THAT Miserable!
Until the next update,
Jenny xx