Abby asked the pony to go faster as they weaved through the streets on a cool June evening. As the cafe came into view she turned Esprit into the ally and went around the building to the back door. Hopping off the pony, she lead her through and into the spare storage room, which the owner of the cafe had very kindly let her use as a stables.
The owner of the cafe had actually gone away on a business trip about a week ago, but told the students they were allowed to do as they pleased. Abby knew for a fact that Enjolras was going to use this as a chance to start his precious revolution, which he'd been planning and rallying for since the winter.
Taking off Esprit's bridle, she patted her pony's neck and told her how good she was, before smoothing her skirts and entering the cafe, which had more people in it than usual. "The time is near, so near it's stirring the blood in their veins!" Enjolras was saying from his position on top of a table.
Abby took a seat and listened intently, they were talking of the the fight to come, how strong the army was going to be. Suddenly Marius ran in, everyone turning to look at him, Enjolras narrowed his eyes "Marius, you're late" he informed him. Joly laughed "What's wrong today? You look as if you've seen a ghost" he asked.
Grantaire raised his bottle from where he was sitting "Have some wine and tell us what's going on!" he encouraged. Marius put his hands in his pocket and looked to the ground, informing them that he'd seen some girl, who'd been their one minute, and then had disappeared.
All eyes turned to Grantaire as he laughed, beginning to make fun of him "Is Marius in love at last? I've never heard him Oooo and Ahhhh" he laughed and hopped off his barstool, hopping onto one of the chairs. He adressed Enjolras "You talk of battles to be won, and then here he comes like Don Juan! It's better than an Opera!" he said, mock bowing. Everyone in the cafe laughed and clapped at him, Enjolras holding up his hand to get their attention back.
"It is time for us all to decide who we are" he told him "Do we fight for a night at the opera now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at Marius and Grantaire, who both lowered their heads, slightly ashamed. Enjolras continued "Have you asked of yourselves what's the price you might pay? Is it all simply a game for rich young boys to play? The colors of the world, are changing day by day".
Abby raised her head as he broke into his 'Red and Black' speech. Marius interrupted him though "Had you been there tonight you might know how it feels!" he said defensively "To be struck to the bone, in a moment of breathless delight! And had you been there tonight you might also have known. How the world can be changed in just one burst of light, and what was right seems wrong, and what was wrong seems right!".
Also trying to redeem himself, Grantaire chimed in with Marius, giving their own counter speech. Enjolras rolled his eyes "Marius, you are no longer a child, I do not doubt you mean it well" he said, his eyes met with Abby for a moment before he continued "But now there is a higher call".
"Who cares about your lonely soul?" he said, almost mockingly "When we strive towards a larger goal! Our little lives don't count at all!". As the rest of the people in the cafe began to recite Enjolras's words, Abby couldn't help but think of his last words 'Our little lives don't count at all' she wondered 'They count to me'.
After that Enjolras hopping off his chair, beginning to enquire about how many guns they had, and telling Grantaire to stop drinking, to which he only laughed "Give me brandy on my breath and I'll BREATH them all to death!" he told them. Abby looked up at Gavroche ran in and began trying to get their attention.
Suddenly getting annoyed he stood on the table Enjolras had just been standing on and yelled "LISTEN EVERYBODY". The cafe grew silent and all eyes were on the gamin as he informed them "General Lamarque is dead". There was a long silence that filled the room, many people bowed their heads sadly.
Enjolras looked up "Lamarque, is dead" he repeated slowly, as if trying to get the words to sink in "Lamarque, his death is the hour of fate!" his eyes suddenly lit up "The people's man! His death is the sign we await!" he announced eagerly. "On his funeral day they will honor his name" he said, thinking through the possibilities "With the light of rebellion ablaze in their eyes. From the canvas of grief we will kindle our flame".
He smiled "On the tomb of Larmaque shall a barricade rise! The time is here! Let us welcome it gladly with courage and cheer!" he cried, everyone started cheering as he went on "Let us take to the street with no doubt in our hearts! But a jubilent shout they will come one and all! They will come when we call!" he said, passion evident in his voice.
Abby couldn't help but be inspired by his words, now that the time of the rebellion was so close. She believed him, and he seemed to believe his own words when he said the people would rise up with them "Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men" he asked, of course she must! Of course they would rise with them!
By the end of the meeting everyone was fired up, most of them running into the streets to find supplies and rally up their friends. Abby went over to Grantaire and sighed "Do you think we'll win Nanny?" she asked him. He nodded "I think Enjolras knows what he's doing. With him leading, they can't lose" he told her.
That night Abby and Enjolras began preparing themselves for the fight to come. "One day more 'Jolras" she said absentmindedly, pulling putting on a cap. Gavroche had let her borrow some of his clothes so she'd look like a boy. Enjolras didn't like it at first, but he knew having her help would be good for the revolution. They were all risking their lives, it wouldn't have been fair not to let her do the same. However, she was still hesitent herself, and so tonight was her last chance to make up her mind.
He nodded as he put on his vest and picked up his gun "One more day before the storm" he warned her "At the barricade to freedom" he looked at her as he stood in the doorway "When our ranks begin to form, will you take your place with me?" he asked her. She nodded and took his hand confidently, and they strode out into the streets and towards the cafe, where everyone was waiting.
When they arrived they were gathering materials to build the barricade "One day to the new beginning!" some of them said excitedly "We'll raise the flag of freedom high!" said some others. "Every man will be a king!" others chanted "There's a new world for the winning!".
Enjolras looked around "Do you hear the people sing?" he asked as Marius walked in he nodded "My place, is here, I fight with you!".Abby looked up "Tomorrow we'll discover what our God in Heaven has in store" she told them "One more dawn, one more day" she sighed "One day more".
The next day they built the barricade hastily. as they built Enjolras spoke "Each man to his duty and don't be afraid. WAIT!" everyone looked up at him "I will need a report on the strength of the foe" he told them. To this an older looking man stepped forward "I can find out the truth! I know their ways, faught my wars, served my time" Abby lost interest and looked over to where Marius and Eponine were talking.
Marius didn't look happy to see Eponine, but Abby was, 'Good for her' she thought. Suddenly Eponine's bright face darkened as Marius handed her some letter. As Marius when to go help she heard Eponine speak softly "Little you know" she sighed "Little you care". Eponine turned and left before Abby went back to helping them build up the barricade.
It wasn't long before their barricade was finished, Abby shuddered slightly at the sight of it, for it was exactly like the one that had been in her nightmare that night, when she'd had to go to Enjolras. Suddenly she began to question being there, and casting a glance at Enjolras, he looked at her intensely as though he was considering throwing her out.
The men all looked up at Enjolras "We pledge ourselves to hold this barricade" they promised. Marius nodded "Let them come in their legions and they will be met!" he called out. Enjolras rallied them "Have faith in yourselves and don't be afraid" he reminded them. Grantaire raised his glass "Let's give em a screwing they'll never forget!" he cheered, everyone else cheered with him.
"This is where it begins!" Combeferre stated, Courfeyrac stepped forward "And if I should die in the fight to be free, where the fighting is hardest there will I be!" he chanted. Fueilly called out next "Let them come if they dare! We'll be there!", Abby sighed at his words and felt a little guilty, Feuilly might not even be here if she hadn't introduced him.
Joly looked up from his position as lookout "HE'S BACK!" he called down. The older man Abby had seen before ran in and Gavroche looked at him with a funny looked "What's the matter?" Abby whispered as the man gave his report "That man's no good. He's a spy" Gavroche replied. Abby looked back at the man "You sure?" she asked, he nodded "Positive. Should we tell em?" he asked.
Instead of answering Abby waited for the end of his report before yelling "LIAR!". Gavroche laughed a little before walking over to him, Abby right next to him "Good evening dear inspector lovely evenin my dear" Gavroche said in a sing song voice. He adressed the rest of the students "I know this man my friends his name's inspector Javert" he told him. Abby chimed in "So don't believe a word he says 'cause none of it's true. This only goes to show what little people can do".
Grantaire laughed "Bravo! You two're the top of the class!", Prouvaire narrowed his eyes "So what're we gonna do with this snake in the grass?" he asked. Enjolras glared at the inspector "Tie this man and take him to the tavern in there. The people will decide your fate Inspector Javert" Courfeyrac angrily yelled out to shoot him and the inspector just laughed "Shoot me now or shoot me later".
This all only went to fuel Enjolras's anger and frustation "Take this man and bring him through, there is WORK we have to do!" he yelled, ending it so there was no more argument on the matter. As Javert was dragged inside Joly called out "There's a boy climbing the barricade!".
Abby looked up at the boy as he staggered down the barricade at towards Marius, her eyes widened, that was no boy, it was Eponine! She nearly fell into his arms, "What are you doing?" he questioned her. Her voice trembled "I took the letter like you said, and I met her father at the door. He said he'd give it" she paused "I don't think I can stand, anymore" she told him.
He shook his head "You're hurt!" he told her. Before he could do anything she stopped him, telling him to stay with her. Abby stood frozen in place, watching it unfold infront of her. Eponine? How could anyone shoot her, how could they just take a life? She hadn't even been armed, the fighting had hardly started!
Tears began to blind her and she felt herself tremble, finally she tore herself away from the scene and ran to Enjolras. He looked at her "What's the matter?" he asked her "Have you been shot already?" he asked, she shook her head, choking on sobs "E... Ep... Eponine's been shot" she cried.
Enjolras looked up and noticed Marius on the ground, Eponine pulled into his lap, blood pooling on the floor. He stepped forward, handing Abby over to Grantaire, who let her cry into him. Enjolras looked down at the sad scene "She is the first to fall, the first of us to fall upon this barricade" he said sadly. Marius looked down, tears welling in his eyes "Her name was Eponine, her life was cold and dark yet she was unafraid".
"We fight here in her name" Combeferre spoke up determinedly, Prouvaire was looking down but looked up and said "She will not die in vain. Lesgles, who had been quiet most of the time finally spoke up "She will not be betrayed". Abby didn't dare look as they carried her away. Enjolras was about to ask her if she wanted to stay and fight but suddenly Grantaire spoke "Here comes a man in uniform. What brings you to this place?" he asked.
This man was older as well, about the same age as the inspector it looked like "I come here as a volunteer" he told them, Joly crossed his arms "Approacher show your face". Prouvaire raised an eyebrow at the man "You wear an army uniform" he stated, the old man nodded "That's why they let me through" he replied. "You've got some years behind you sir?" Joly asked, once again the man nodded "There's much that I can do".
Joly glanced over at the inspector "You see that prisoner over there?" he asked, Grantaire crossed his arms, Abby still at his side looking at the old man with questioning eyes "A volunteer like You" he said. "A spy who calls himself Jarvert" he growled "He's gonna get it too!".
"They're getting ready to attack!" someone called as Enjolras handed him a gun "Take this an use it well, but if you shoot us in the back, you'll never live to tell" he told hiim. Abby suddenly looked up as cries that there was a rather large force coming rose up. She ran over to Gavroche who handed her a gun "Shh, I stole this from that inspector. I got my own gun, now you have one" he told her. She nodded in thanks as they found a spot to hide and shoot from.
Gavroche looked at her as they waited for Enjolras to tell them to shoot. "You ever fire a gun?" he asked her, suddenly Enjolras's cry rang out "FIRE" and the shooting began, Abby ducked "No, you?" she asked. He fired his gun and laughed "Nope" he replied.
The fighting went on forever. Gavroche and Abby continuing to shoot at nothing, but they both cheered when Gavroche finally hit someone. "Look how they turn and run!" someone laughed, Grantaire took a drink "And so the war was won" he announced. Enjolras shook his head "They will be back again, make an attack again" he told them as Abby and Gavroche joined the group.
Enjolras looked over at the old man "I will thank you Monsiuer when our battle is won!" he assured him. The old man nodded "There is something you can do" "If it is within my power" Enjolras told him. He looked over at the inspector "Give me the spy Javert, let me take care of him" he said. Javert yelled angrily in protest but Enjolras nodded "Do what you have to do the man belongs to you!" he told him.
"The enemy may be regrouping! Back to your positions! The night is falling fast!" he commanded. Abby and Gavroche decided to duck into the cafe. Suddenly a shot rang out and not long after the old man returned. Night had fallen over the barricade and everything was still. Enjolras looked around before quietly giving orders "Courfeyrac, you take the watch. They won't attack until it's light. Everybody keep the faith, for certain as the eagle flies, we are not alone, the people too must rise".
Abby and Gavroche went over into a corner of the cafe to rest. They listened as Grantaire led them all into having a drink and singing. Suddenly Gavroche took her hand "Um, Abby?" he asked. She looked up at him "Yea?" she asked. He swallowed as though he were unsure of himself "Well, you see, I think we're gonna die tomorrow" he told her.
She thought for a long time before nodded "Go on" she told him. He looked over at some of the students, with girls at their sides "Well, I wanted to wait, til we were older, but I don't think we can wait. So uh" he looked down then looked her in the eyes "Abby I love you, and I woulda married you" he told her. She looked at him for a moment before smiling "That's kinda funny Gavroche, 'cause I woulda married you too" she admitted to him.
Suddenly he leaned forward and kissed her. It wasn't a passionate kiss, children don't know of such things, it was just a kiss that though innocent, held all the love and passion in the world. They looked at each other for a long time before Abby looked down and blushed. Suddenly Gavroche looked up "Abby, I'm sure Enjolras will send you away. If I don't die tomorrow, I hope that you'll wait for me" he told her. She nodded, tears in her eyes "I will" she told him.
Enjolras called her over and she ran to him, he crouched down to her level and hugged her "You're alright? Nothing hurt?" he asked her, she nodded "I'm fine 'Jolras" she told him. He looked at her "Abby, I've thought about it, and this isn't a place for you. You must leave now" he told her. She looked down quietly for a long time, tears rolling down her cheeks but she nodded "I'll leave before dawn. Just let me say goodbye?" she asked.
He shook his head "There'll be no need Abby, the people shall rise in the morning and we'll all return to tell the story. But for your safety, I must ask you to go now, while it's safe. Go straight to the flat on Esprit, and don't come out until the fighting's done. Understand?" he asked. She nodded and he took her hand, leading her out the back door into the ally where Esprit was already tacked.
Enjolras picked her up and put her on the ponies back and she looked down at him, tears still streaming down her face. She wanted to say something put she couldn't, her throat was too tight. He pulled her arm gently and she leaned down, he kissed her cheek "Stay safe, do you promise?" he asked. She nodded "Take the back streets where there's no national guards" he told her.
With a slap on her pony's hindquarters, Esprit took off into the dark streets. Abby blindly trying to steer but she couldn't see through all the tears. What if she didn't see Enjolras and all the others again? She let out a quiet sob, but didn't make an effort to pull her pony up, Enjolras had asked her to go, and so she would.
Whew, that was the longest chapter EVER! But hey, it was pretty good right? Yea yea I know, I pretty much ripped off and wrote Musical dialoge, but I didn't write ALL of it...
In case you're wondering, YES I used the 25th Anniversery concert to write most of this. Why? Because it was handy, on my ipod next to me. And I actually don't know how the stage show is, well, staged. So a lot of this is changed. And YES I know that the whole 'Little People' thing with Gavroche is just for him, but I let Abby chime in, deal with it =P
Next chapter Abby shall return, to a not so pretty sight. Break out your tissues everyone, this is gonna be a tough chapter. Reviews as always, and um, I think that's about it... Thanks for Reading!