A/N: Thank you for everyone's wonderful reviews! They always make me so happy!
Eponine wanted so desperately to leave the confinements of her girly room, but she knew better than to take another 'attempt' at exploring. However, as she poked around her own room, she was so tempted to just go exploring anyways. No! You don't want to disappoint Enjolras, one half of her screamed. Who cares what he thinks? He was the one to drag you here, you shouldn't have to listen to him again, the other half of her countered.
Eponine begrudgingly decided to listen to the half of her that told her to stay put, though she wasn't happy at all.
Her eyes landed on the small bookshelf in the corner of room that proudly held a small selection of books. That will have to do, Eponine thought sadly. Eponine fingered through the selection and was displeased to see that most of the books were about proper etiquette and the way a woman should hold herself. There were a couple romance novels, and Eponine reluctantly settled on the more interesting looking one of the pair.
She found herself skimming through the first couple chapters, but the book didn't suit her fancy at all. Eponine assumed she had been in the room for at least a hundred years, and when she looked out the window she could see the sunset forming on the horizon.
Eponine watched as deep reds and fiery oranges blazed through the sky, giving it the effect that it was on fire. She was them fill the sky and grow brighter, but when it reached its climax, the colors began to subside immediately. Eponine sighed as the last traces of the beautiful sunset completely vanished from the sky, and all that was left was gray.
It mocked her, in an odd way. The sunset could come and go so fast, yet Eponine was stuck inside for what seemed like an eternity.
Not soon enough, Enjolras burst into room. He didn't even bother to knock, and Eponine could see he was fuming.
"My uncle is the worst man alive," he spat running his hands through his hair as he threw himself across the lounge chair. Eponine motioned for him to elaborate on his declaration.
"First, I was angry with him already for being harsh to you earlier when you first met him in the hall, so the beginning to our 'discussion' wasn't pleasant. At first, we were able to be civil, yet when he started to degrade my revolution, I had had enough! And when he started to talk poorly about you, I left, " Enjolras shouted painfully, and Eponine touched his shoulder gently.
"What did he say?" Eponine asked softly, and Enjolras shook his head furiously.
"He told me that my effort was ridiculously futile, and I would not only end up killing myself, but my friends would die alongside me. He said that we would all die in vain for a country that would never miss us. He said far worse things, but I will not get in to that. And when he was done yelling at me for that, he proceeded to yell at me for falling in love with you! I told him that I couldn't imagine living without you, and he said that I was being ridiculous and acting like a blind child, and…" Enjolras trailed off.
"What else did he say?" Eponine urged, and Enjolras looked at the ground.
"He said to me 'that girl, Eponine, looks far too skinny to be bourgeois, are you sure you did not find an urchin of the streets and try to make her your new charity case?' I denied it harshly, and then I stormed out of the room. I worry about his suspicions," Enjolras said softly.
"Do not worry, what can he do to me? Make me leave? That doesn't sound too bad," Eponine pondered, but Enjolras shook his head.
"He could, and would, do much worse. Eponine, my love, he could have you arrested," Enjolras said gravely, and Eponine gaped.
"That is not fair! How could he arrest me when I have done nothing wrong?" Eponine screeched.
"Calm down, I didn't say he was going to arrest you; I merely stated that he would do so in the blink of an eye if felt inclined to do so, which he probably would if he found out you came from the streets," Enjolras sighed rubbing small circles on Eponine's back. Suddenly, Enjolras sprung up as though he remembered something.
"I got sidetracked! I meant to come fetch you for dinner is ready! We will be late!" he exclaimed dragging Eponine back through a series of labyrinthine halls.
"Will your uncle be joining us?" Eponine asked not even bothering to hold back her cringe.
"Unfortunately, yes," Enjolras sighed dejectedly. "But so will my aunt, Clara, and Grantaire. You don't have to speak to him."
Eponine hoped she wouldn't have to converse with him, but she knew it was inevitable.
Enjolras stopped walking when he reached an open room that held a dark table with about a dozen chairs perfectly framing it. The table was neatly set with fancy silverware and a lacy table cloth.
"You're late," Uncle Jacques snapped from his chair. Aunt Agnes sat on his right and Clara on his left. Grantaire was seated across from Clara.
"My sincerest apologies," Enjolras said sharply articulating each consonant.
"I see you brought your skeleton," Jacques said smugly poking fun at Eponine's small size.
"I am aware I am quite skinny, yet I would rather be lean than fat, monsieur. I suggest you lay off the cake," Eponine sat patting her stomach mocking Jacques.
"Eponine! My, dear, you don't seem to hold back, don't you darling?" Aunt Agnes chuckled.
"Uncle, it is not polite to talk to a lady in such a way," Enjolras said pointedly.
"Eponine doesn't seem to be a proper lady," Jacques retorted.
"Uncle! Stop this nonsense! I demand you apologize to Eponine!" Enjolras demanded.
Jacques glared at Enjolras, but apologized to Eponine. She did not respond to his curt apology. Aunt Agnes uncomfortably cleared her throat and tried to rouse a polite conversation.
"So, Albaric, how is Paris nowadays? I haven't been to the city in years," she said taking a small sip of wine out of the delicate glass.
"It's truly disgusting," he said as he wrinkled his nose. Aunt Agnes looked surprised.
"Oh, dear that is unfortunate! What ever could be wrong?" Aunt Agnes said with genuine concern.
"Everybody knows what is wrong with Paris; a storm's coming, and a violent and bloody storm at that. My friend Dmitri was just telling me the other day that his daughter who lives in Paris wrote to him saying that a group of schoolboys are currently planning a revolution of some sort to overthrow the king. Can you imagine? A group of young fools who know nothing of war are trying to go against trained soldiers. How do they expect to win?" Jacques stated coldly. If Enjolras was frightened, he didn't show it. Eponine, on the other hand, paled considerably.
"Perhaps they are trying to send a message to France and-"
"You aren't associated with the group, surely?" Uncle Jacques said cutting off Enjolras.
"Of course not; a revolution would be a distraction from my studies! Yet, I can see where this group is coming from," Enjolras lied easily.
"You have always wanted a change in the government, forgive me for being curious," Jacques said harshly.
"Albaric, do you know who the boys are? Have you heard of this revolution?" Aunt Agnes asked.
"No, I cannot say that I know who is dictating the revolution, but I have heard several others discuss the rebellion," Enjolras said quietly.
"What about you Eponine? Have you heard about the revolution?" Uncle Jacques sneered.
It would have been so easy, too easy really, for Eponine to simply say 'no' or 'I have heard small talk of this revolution but thought nothing of it.' Yet, Eponine couldn't quite bring herself to say so; she couldn't mentally allow herself to give Jacques that satisfaction. Taking a deep breath, she looked Jacques straight in the eyes.
"Better yet, I am a part of this revolution."
A/N: Ooooo is Eponine gonna get it or what! Or will Enjolras, Clara, and Grantaire defend her and all that great stuff? AHHH I'VE BEEN WATCHING LES MIS NONSTOP SINCE IT CAME OUT ON DVD AND I AM GOING TO GO WATCH IT AGAIN NOW BYE! Oh and when Eponine told Jacques to lay off the cake I thought of Sherlock and Mycroft… Haha…