Spring came and Azelma became close friends with her classmates. A little voice in the back of her head reminded her that her father will probably move her far away, and she will never see them again. Still, she had a good deal of fun times and felt smarter already.
It was nearing summer and school was ending. Thénardier had finally decided his course of action.
"We're moving to the south," Thénardier announced.
Azelma nodded, a little curious, "How far?"
"Well, we should be in the South below Virginia," Thénardier said.
Azelma, who had seen a map, gasped, "That's across the country!"
"Silence!" Thénardier sneered. "There's a slave trade business down there, a profitable profession."
Azelma nodded.
On her last day of school, she said goodbye to her friends.
"Where are you going?" Amelia asked.
"Down south," Azelma said.
Mary and Hannah hugged her, "We'll miss you, Gigi."
"I'll miss you guys too," Azelma said. The boys came over and said goodbye to her as well.
"We got you a flower," John said. Azelma smiled and took it, "Merci."
Azelma went over to talk to Mrs. Edwards about the reply to her letter.
"It never came back," Azelma said.
"I know. I'll send it the south when it comes," Mrs. Edwards said. "Au revoir, Gulnare, it's been a pleasure teaching you."
XXX
A few months later
Thénardier and Azelma were in a tavern down in Virginia. Thénardier was drinking something and Azelma was humming along to the live music. A messenger boy walked over to him.
"Excuse me, are you Mister Guerrette?"
"Yeah," Thénardier slurred, drunk.
The boy was drawing out a letter when Azelma noticed him.
"I can get that," she said, holding out her hands. The boy smiled and gave the letter to her, "Bye!" he said, cheerfully. Azelma gave him a coin and he left.
Azelma slipped the letter into her bodice and waited until Thénardier finally decided to go home. They both went back to their small house.
It didn't take long for Thénardier to fall asleep. When he did, Azelma carefully lit a candle and began reading the letter. On the outside, it was addressed to Gulnare Guerrette.
Dear Mademoiselle Azelma Thénardier,
My wife and I are happy to see you making progress in America. You have a lot of potential, if you go to the right people. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you of the death of your siblings.
I came to the barricades later in the day of June 5th. When I got there, the National Guard almost overtook them. I made my way to the barrels of powder. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a rifle poking at me, about to shot. A hand had reached out and grabbed it, going almost unnoticed. I got a barrel of powder and a torch, and threatened the blow up the barricade. The National Guard backed away and the barricade had been saved, albeit temporarily.
I was inspecting the barricade when I heard a voice call my name. Recognizing the voice, I searched until I found your sister, Éponine, lying on the ground, bleeding. She was dying, and I could only help by staying with her in the last moments of her life. She told me she had grabbed the rifle that was aimed at me. The bullet had gone through her hand and chest. She was the one who had brought me to the barricades, to my friends' aide. She also had a letter for me. We heard Gavroche singing, and Éponine told me that he was your sibling. As she started to fade, she asked for a kiss on the forehead, which I granted.
It had rained earlier, damaging the gun powder. We needed more ammo in order to fight. Gavroche had heard us talking, and left the barricades to collect some. He went from body to body, collecting things. Eventually, the soldiers caught sight of him and began firing. One shot him and he fell. My comrade Combeferre and I rushed to his aide, to find him dead. I carried the body back to the barricade and we set it with Éponine's.
Éponine has helped me out in the years leading up the barricades. She helped deliver messages to and from my Cosette and she has delivered me to my friends. She was a resourceful girl with unfortunate circumstances. A poor child, wilting away in the darkness. I am glad to have brought some happiness into her life.
Yes, the Americans did have a revolution. Perhaps that's the reason that inspired us so much. We saw the Americans rise up against Great Britain, and we wanted to rise up too. Of course, we haven't achieved the state of independence like America, but France is close. More and more revolts are happening, and soon the whole of France will rise up in a bright and glorious revolution.
Thomas Jefferson was a Minister to France in the years 1784-1789. He was a great inspiration to the French, as he helped form America. I am not sure of all the details, but it interesting to see the strands of revolution combined throughout the world.
America will have great opportunities for you. An opportunity to grow up, to live, to experience all that you can. We hope to see a good person in you in the future.
Cosette wishes me to tell you that Gigi sounds like a beautiful name. Her real name is Euphrasie, and she understands what it was like having an ugly name.
Cordialmente,
Monsieur le Baron Marius Pontmercy and Madame la Baronne Cosette Pontmercy