Les Misérables

Summary: After studying about the dark past of surrounding kingdoms, Tanya asks Cedric and Sofia if any other kingdom ever had the same level of darkness. This leads to a very unexpected story, filled with despair, hope, severed and forged bonds, and preventable demise. Read Me a Story format! (Takes place 5 years after my season 5 stories)

Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First. I own Corban and some other OCs mentioned here. MarionetteJ2X owns Tanya and Nana.

A/N: You'll see a bit of necessary bonding in this chapter. Consider this chapter the "calm before the storm." Because it's about to get very messy…

Chapter 15: Before the Dawn

Much had happened in such a short time. Baileywick was gone, Roland was slowly acclimating to the group, and the reality of what had already happened and could happen very soon was starting to weigh heavily on the followers of Merlin. Everyone was on edge, and rest seemed like an unlikely event that could take place. After all, while any remaining soldiers had dissipated, everyone still remained on high alert. Look what had happened to Sofia… What could happen to any of them…

Cedric had gathered everyone together to speak with them, knowing his friends and companions could benefit from a comforting form of leadership at this point. "Everyone," he began calmly yet tiredly, as he'd hardly had any rest the last few days, "stay alert and keep the faith that we will succeed. I know hope is low and the future seems bleak, but remember what, and who, we're fighting for." He glanced at Desmond specifically, noting that his friend briefly made eye contact with him before looking away, seemingly lost in thought. "For our families, our friends, our future generations… We can't let them down by giving up now." He smiled when he felt a familiar weight against his leg and side, and he reached down to gently pull Corban into a side hug. "To your positions, now. Except you, Desmond."

Desmond looked back at Cedric again, his eyes puffy from his recent round of tears, though he'd tried to wipe them away. "Cedric, no. Let me help you all."

"You're hardly any help when you're exhausted and emotional. Your friend died in your arms, Desmond. You're not thinking clearly, and you will be more apt to make a mistake if you don't approach the incoming aversion with an unclouded mind." He patted Corban's shoulder and pointed in James's direction, watching as he hurried away. His attention then returned to Desmond, who seemed conflicted. "Sleep, my friend. We'll keep the watch."

The younger man nodded hesitantly, but he gasped when he felt himself pulled into a surprisingly gentle and comforting hug. Cedric never hugged people, so it had caught him off guard. He briefly returned the hug before whispering his thanks, and then he hurried away to be alone and get some rest, and perhaps release another pent-up swell of emotions brought on by such a kind and empathetic motion from the last person he'd ever imagined.

Once Cedric was outside with the others, Roland slipped away from the group and silently followed after Desmond, finding him not long after. He was clearly tired, his form draped over an abandoned table, and already fitfully asleep. Roland removed his soldier jacket and walked over to the young man, draping it over his slightly shivering form. When he noticed how much calmer Desmond seemed after the action, he nodded to himself. "If nothing else happens from this, I will watch over you and see to it that you survive. You mean the world to Amber, so I will keep you safe. And even if I die, you will not. Amber wants a future with you, Desmond, and by God, I will see to it that she has one…" That said, he sat away from Desmond, leaning against a wall, ever watchful over his silently sleeping form.

"This is hopeless," Greylock mumbled as he stood next to Cedric, his hands still cradling a bottle of wine that he had all but emptied by now. His speech was a bit slurred, and his vision was a bit blurrier than usual, but he was still mostly alert. "A girl died, Cedric. That could have been any of us…" He frowned as some of the followers turned to look at him, having overheard him. "Well? What about the rest of you? Don't you believe dying is a real possibility? Hmm?" He gestured widely, narrowly missing hitting Cedric in the face. "You're going to die and leave your families behind? Your wives and children? Your lovers? Your futures? And not one of you is afraid of that being a possible fate?"

Not wanting to appear weak in front of their leader, the other men chose not to say anything. Instead, they returned to their watch and responsibilities.

"Come here," Cedric declared, grabbing the wine bottle from his friend's hand and tossing it into an empty box, hearing it crack under the pressure—much like he was sure Greylock was doing. Once they were secure in a quiet corner of the café, Cedric frowned, folding his arms. "Are you afraid to die, Greylock?"

Greylock appeared a bit flabbergasted at first, not expecting the challenging question from the other man. "I mean… I don't want to die…

"I doubt most people do, Greylock… But just remember that even if that does happen, it's for a good cause. We may fall, but we will fall for Zodia."

"Could you stop being the martyr for two minutes and level with me?" With a shaky hand, Greylock lifted his fingers to his monocle, removing it and polishing it with his sleeve, and then promptly replacing it. "I know you put on this brave front, and it's admirable. But Desmond wasn't the only one who lost someone he cared about, Cedric." He frowned, watching for any hint of emotion. He was both disappointed yet unsurprised when he hardly saw anything on his friend's face. "I know you'd formed a bond with the girl. Imagine what a life you could have had with her… What a life any of us could have had with someone special…"

Cedric was silent and unmoving as he carefully watched Greylock's features shift between solemnity and agitation, and then back again.

"But who am I kidding, right? We were never fated for a future… We'll die, and the world will keep turning. People will move on and forget they ever mourned us. Honestly, I'd be surprised if there's anyone left to mourn us…"

"You told me recently that you believe in me," the leader finally said, catching the brown-haired man off guard. "If that's still true, thank you… If it isn't… I hope I can win that belief back. I'll let you in on a secret, Greylock…" He wielded Merlin's wand from his sleeve, observing it in contemplation. "I am afraid… Not so much for myself, but for those around us. I fear that everything for which we are fighting will fail… I fear that I haven't done enough, said enough, or tried enough to get people to rise with us. I just have to keep the faith that they will, and we will be victorious."

"That's a fool's dream, Cedric."

"Perhaps." He smiled sadly, cradling the wand to his chest as if it were his last link to the world. Maybe it was. "But dreams comfort us. They compel us to look beyond the reality of this harsh life and give us hope. As long as I can dream, I can live knowing that my life meant something. Perhaps the ones behind us will pick up where we've left off. Maybe they'll be the difference makers."

Greylock watched as Cedric sighed and turned, about to walk away. He reached out, grasping his friend's arm, getting his attention. "If it means anything at all, Cedric…" He allowed himself to smile ever so slightly, trying to cling onto what little positivity he had for the future. He couldn't disappoint or abandon this man… Not when he… "You've made a difference to me. More than you'll ever know."

Cedric returned the smile, patting his friend's hand in a compassionate manner. "Thank you, Greylock. That means a lot to me…" Turning again, he moved back toward the others, leaving Greylock alone.

"Little he sees… And yet he still dreams…" Feeling a wave of exhaustion take over him, he slid down to the floor, pulling his legs up to his chin. "I wish I could dream too… Just once, I'd like to be part of his dream, somehow…" Feeling conflicted, Greylock dozed off, with the stars growing dimmer as the dawn drew nigh.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Falling Down the Line