Chapter 8: A Little Fall of Rain

You're here,

That’s all I need to know...

And you will keep me safe,

And you will keep me close...

And rain will make the flowers grow...

~~**~~

It had been two hours since the spy had left them and the sun was now disappearing behind the heads of the tall grey buildings. The men sat in clumps, talking amongst themselves with soft voices and passing bottles to each other. Marius had been pacing up and down the edge for a good half hour, arms crossed and muttering to himself. Grantaire had disappeared back into the tavern, possibly to refill on absinthe. Jehan was scribbling frantically on a piece of parchment in the corner as Courfeyrac watched him with a smirk on his lips. Joly had taken the watch, a gun resting on his forearm, his eyes scanning the street. Enjolras was silent. He leant against the wall of the café with his jaw clenched, oblivious to the nervous tapping he was doing with his boot. His icy gaze went from his comrades to the barricade, from the barricade to the buildings, from the buildings to the dark clouds; his thoughts racing about in his mind. Joleigh was watching him perform this interesting routine from where she was sitting with Gavroche. She pushed herself up and wandered over to him. Enjolras only realized she was there when she pressed her hand into his. He smiled down at it, then at her, and kissed her on the forehead before looking back to the sky. Joleigh chose to say nothing, in fear of worrying her fiancée even more; so they stood in silence. The girl watched each man she knew closely. They were only boys. Marius spun on his heels and walked back and forth, back and forth. Soon Joleigh and Enjolras turned their attention to their friend.

“Marius?” Joleigh broke off from Enjolras momentarily to walk out to the pacing man. “Marius – are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine,” Marius blinked, though his blue eyes still had this far off gaze. “Really, I’m quite alright, thank you.” The girl did not believe a single word. She tugged on his shoulder.

“Come now, sit with us. Just looking at you pacing up and down is making everyone anxious.” Joleigh said softly. Marius looked around at his comrades. He let Joleigh lead him to where Enjolras had already pulled out a chair. Marius sat down with a tired sigh. Joleigh stood near to him with a worried expression etched on her face and Enjolras’s hand clasped tightly in hers once again.

“Who was that boy you were talking to?” Enjolras asked suddenly. Marius’s head snapped up.

“No-one special. Just some kid.”

“I’ve never seen him before, did he apply for the cause?” Marius sighed sadly.

“I haven’t seen him since.”

“You gave him a message?”

“Yes.” Enjolras’s eyes narrowed. Marius was hiding something, as his answers were too short.

“To whom?” Marius looked up at his friend.

“No-one special.” But, there was something behind those words.

“It’s to Cosette, isn’t it?” Joleigh said, smiling sadly. Marius’s eyes widened, before turning scarlet. Enjolras raised an eyebrow.

“Joleigh!” Marius exclaimed, loud enough to turn some heads.  He quickly smiled and nodded at them and they turned away. Marius lowered his voice almost to a whisper. “N-no! I –uh- I don’t know who, what, who – you’re talking about! Really, that name…name does not ring a bell…at all! It’s just, I -” He stuttered. With a raise of a hand Enjolras’s stopped him.

“Marius, it’s fine.” The leader said bluntly. Marius bit his lip and looked to the ground, knuckles going white on his knees. They stayed like that for a few moments, too embarrassed to look at each other. Grantaire stumbled out of The Musain, gurgling some drunken nonsense at them before Combeferre and Bahorel whisked him off.

“He’s back!” Joly’s voice erupted, breaking this awkward silence. Everyone jumped to their feet eager for something to do. Enjolras tore himself away from Joleigh and made his way to the carriage.

“Let him in!” He commanded, and the doors were opened. The old man burst through panting like a dog. Immediately a circle was formed around him, even Joleigh stood and lurked behind with Gavroche to listen.

“Well?” Courfeyrac prodded.

“Listen, my friends, I have done as you said. I went to their lines, counted every man…I’ll tell you as much as I can remember-“ He said stated through long heavy breaths and avoiding Enjolras’ eager gaze.

“Tactics. We need to know their tactics.” Combeferre pointed out. Enjolras nodded in agreement.

“If we know what their movements are, we can spoil their game.” He said whilst looking at the others. “There are ways that a people can fight! We will overcome their power!” The men agreed, cheering quietly amongst each other. The old man raised an eyebrow.

“I overheard those too, and I’m sorry to cause disappointment…” Silence went through the crowd. Enjolras frowned. “There will be no attack tonight. They attend to starve us out, concentrating their force before starting a proper fight…” The leader ran a hand of annoyance through his hair. The men murmured with disappointment. At that point, little Gavroche had climbed a length of the barricade to peer over the crowd. When he saw the man, a mischievous grin spread across his face.

“Liar!” He shouted. Heads turned and all eyes were on him; just as he intended. Gavroche was proving what little people can do. “Good evening dear Inspector, lovely evening ain’t it?” His voice was full of cheek. “Don’t believe a word he says, ‘cus non’ of its true! I know this man as Inspector Javert!” Enjolras’ snapped back around. Javert had given up his act and stood tall, his face hard; growling he made a run for it, but Courfeyrac and Grantaire got ahold of him before he could escape. He struggled until the guns were pointed at his head.  

“Bravo, little Gavroche, you’re the top of the class!” Courfeyrac beamed at his friend, who in turn, proudly jumped down from his perch and returned to the anxious Joleigh’s arms.

“So what are we going to do about this snake in the grass?” Jehan prodded his gun into the Inspector’s shoulder.

“Shoot him!”

“Watch the devil dance!”

“He’d have done the same if it was us; kill ‘im!” Enjolras listened to his comrades’ suggestions but was not moved.

“Take the man and tie him in the tavern. The people will decide your fate Inspector Javert.” Enjolras decided. The grave Inspector spat at his face. The leader wiped it away with no emotion.

“Shoot me now or shoot me later; every schoolboy to his sport!” Enjolras’ face hardened further and motioned with his hand to the entrance of the café. The men dragged Javert into the tavern, throwing him self about and screaming: “Death to each and every traitor!” He was strong enough to fling Grantaire against the wall, his head banging a windowsill, to release his left arm; the same with Courfeyrac on his right. Joleigh, who had silently followed, instantly helped her two friends up. When Javert was finally in the room, he was surrounded, but the fists and kicks were not enough to stop the strong man. In a burst of rage, Enjolras tore a beam from a nearby window and moved towards the Inspector. When Javert was on the floor, he swung with such ferocity the beam cracked. The old man was out cold. Enjolras straightened, panting, a trickle of red made its way from his temple to his jawline. His friends stared at him, breathing heavily. His mouth was in a straight line.

“Tie him.” The leader commanded. His comrades obeyed. Enjolras turned to leave, and saw his fiancée frozen at the doorway, staring at the lifeless inspector’s body, a hand over her mouth. “Joleigh,” He moved towards her, “it had to be done – ”

“Is he dead?” She asked softly. Enjolras took her trembling hand, and the girl looked at him with wide blue eyes, almost as she was scared of him. He didn’t want her to see him do that.  

“No, he’s alive. It had to be done – do understand?” He asked softly, taking both her hands. Joleigh still didn’t lift her eyes from Javert’s body; Courfeyrac and Combeferre hastily binding his hands and Lesgles tying a noose around his thick neck.

“You’re going to kill him?” She turned suddenly, but stared at the pavement and walked out of the tavern.

“No, of course not, well not now anyway, Joleigh-“ Enjolras started, but there was no use. He attempted to follow her, but the slow ordered march of boots echoed off the buildings, stopping him in his tracks. The men rushed out of the café, grabbing weapons and positioned themselves along the barricade awaiting his order. Enjolras quickly grabbed Joleigh and spun her around. The look in her eyes assured him that she knew what he was going to say. With a curt nod, she fled, attempting to grab Gavroche although the boy darted out of her reach; thus she disappeared down an alleyway alone. Enjolras watched her go, making sure she was out of sight; Marius clasped him on the shoulder and he went back to his duty.     

“Who’s there?” The booming voice of an officer made its way down the silent street. Enjolras scrambled to the edge of the barricade peered between two coffin lids, clenching his rifle tightly as he positioned it through the gap. There was the National Guard, the officer in red and navy standing at the head. Enjolras smirked, adrenalin pumping through his veins. It was starting.

“French revolution!” He yelled. There was a sort gap of silence; so tense you could hear the drawn breathes of every man.

“Fire!” The officer screamed, pointing his gauntlet into the air. Rifles blazed. Sparks flew. Smoke climbed through the air. Guns were loaded and changed. Enjolras spat orders he couldn’t even comprehend.

“They’re coming over!” Combeferre shouted. Enjolras stood and climbed higher, and saw that this was true. A soldier grabbed for him; but the leader did not hesitate to thrust the barrel of his gun into the man’s gut, sending him tumbling down the barricade. The army swarmed over the edge, but Enjolras did not panic. He attacked every red and blue clad creature in his reach. But him alone was not enough. A comrade injured to his left collapsed to the ground, and Enjolras quickly went to the man’s aid. In doing this he did not see Marius steal a barrel of gunpowder and sprint to the barricade.

"Marius, No!" Gavroche cried. A soldier pointed his gun at Marius's head. The skinny boy called his name and dove in front of the aimed gun, taking the bullet.

“Fall back, fall back or I blow it up!” Marius cried. The fighting stopped.

“Taking yourself with it?” The officer called up in disbelief, with a hint of doubt.

“Taking myself with it.” Marius nodded, bringing the torch to the barrel.

“Retreat!” The officer ordered and the soldiers withdrew. Enjolras looked at his friend, still frozen with the torch burning close to the wood. He reached up and took it from Marius’ grasp. At that second his friend blinked and climbed down, breathing heavily.

“Marius what were you thinking? You could have gotten us all killed!” Combferre shouted, but Marius just shrugged him off. He dropped the barrel and ran a hand through his hair.

The thin boy was no longer a boy. Eponine had taken off her cap, letting her down her dark knotted hair. She clutched her hand to her burning side, her eyes stung with painful tears. With every breath the wound seeped red onto her rags, staining her pale hands. The young girl’s legs gave way and with a small yelp her frail body collapsed to the ground. She hissed through her teeth as she curled into a ball trying as hard as possible to stop the blood pouring from the shot wound. Eponine swallowed hard, blinking away tears and grimacing through the pain. Her other hand clutched the wrinkled letter from Cosette; one she had guiltily kept hidden from Marius in hopes that he would think the girl didn’t care about him. She hoped that he would forget Cosette and see her feelings, finally. She hoped Marius would love her.

“Eponine?” The girl looked up to see the love of her life, towering over her, as handsome as ever. “What are you doing here?” Marius cocked his head to the side when she didn’t answer. Eponine smiled up at him, as if he was an angel, and in turn he smirked back.

“I-I kept this from you.” Her voice was weakening with every heartbeat she took. “It’s from Cosette. I’m sorry.” When she lifted her arm to give Marius the letter, she cried out, retracting her hand back to her side. Marius’ smirk disappeared when he saw the blood. His eyes widened in shock and he collapsed next to her, pulling her frail body into his arms.

“Ponine! What have you done?” He cried, slowly lifting her arm away to see the shot wound. Eponine had taken a bullet for him, without thinking, almost without knowing. Now she paid the price. But she did not care, for Marius was holding her close. As long as he was here she could live forever. But the truth was; Eponine was dying. “Eponine…no…” Marius’ voice wavered, a lump caught in his throat. “Somebody help!” Everyone on the barricade turned, but they were all caught in shock; nobody moved, for they knew the girl was a hopeless cause. She knew it too. The clouds rumbled, swelling, and rain started to drip down from the heavens. The cold droplets splashed on Eponine’s face.

“Don’t you fret M’sieur Marius,” Eponine whispered as a tear rolled down the bloom of her cheek, “I don’t feel any pain… a little fall of rain can hardly hurt me.” She tried to laugh, but instead a shudder erupted through her body, and it turned into a pained moan.

“Ponine…please,” Marius sobbed. “This can’t happen! I can’t lose you!”

“Just hold me n-now, and let it be…” She reached up and brushed a tear from his face, marking it with her blood, but he didn’t care. “This rain will wash away what’s past, Marius, I-I’ll sleep in your embrace…at last,” Eponine’s voice was fading, her face paled so much it seemed to glow in the darkness of the night. She looked into his eyes, capturing the blue, “I’ve come home from so far. Please, keep me safe, keep me close…Marius?” Eponine shook again. “M-Marius-“ She breathed. The girl was fading, moving closer to this blurry light that seemed to erupt into her vision.

“I’m here.” Marius clutched her tighter, brushing a hand along the side of her cheekbone, feeling how cold her skin was. Rain dripped down his forehead and into his eyes. “Eponine, I’m here. It’s okay, Marius is here. I will stay until you are sleeping.”

“That’s… all I need to know…Marius…Marius…I lov-” Her brown eyes lit up as Eponine let out her last breath. Her head lolled back, her lips in a sad smile as she died. The beggar girl was gone.

“Oh, ‘Ponine…” Marius choked out, kissing her forehead. “Oh, Eponine I’m sorry… so sorry…” He gently closed her eyes, so it only looked like she was sleeping. How peaceful death looks. Combeferre silently placed a gentle hand on Marius’ shoulder. The young man wiped his puffed eyes, and with a long drawn sigh, stood and left the body to his friend’s care; carefully taking the letter from ‘Ponine’s frozen grasp. As her small body was carried away, the men; her friends and even the strangers, moved aside in silent mourning for her.

Joleigh came out from the shadows and witnessed the passing. She glimpsed Eponine’s pale face, and the blood on her limp body. Her eyes widened, her body shook violently.

“Ponine!?” Joleigh tried steadying herself on a beam, but it wasn’t enough. "Eponine!? What happened?! Is she?! No!" Before she could let out any cry, Courfeyrac and Jehan were there, soothing and holding her tightly as she sobbed into their embrace. Gavroche leant on a post, his bottom lip quivering as tears rolled down his soiled face. He was not close to his sister, but they were siblings nevertheless, and he loved her. He loved her now, more than ever. The only sounds that could be heard were the soft patter of rain and the muffled wails from Joleigh. Enjolras swallowed hard. He did not know how to deal with such a death; the death of a friend.

“She was the first to fall. The first of us…” was all he could manage. The leader couldn’t even move.

“Her name was Eponine.” Marius addressed everyone; for all of those who didn’t know her and should have. “Her life was cold and dark, yet she was unafraid.” He did not notice her blood was on his hands.

“She was only a girl…” Grantaire sighed.

“She will not be forgotten.” Joly said.

“She will not be betrayed.” Lesgles stated.

“You will fight in her name.” The voice was soft but almost threatening. The men were surprised to hear it come from Joleigh. Her blue eyes were burning from the shadows between Courfeyrac and Jehan’s chests. Enjolras had never seen such sorrow in a pair of eyes. He nodded curtly and said to Jehan;

“Take her upstairs.” Joleigh didn’t refuse, marching off willingly as she hugged Jehan close. As she passed, Gavroche ran into her arms and the trio left the mourning barricade. Enjolras watched her go before letting out a long breath and moving towards a silent grieving Marius.

The thought that crossed everyone’s mind that minute was that this rebellion might be the death of them. Who would be next?   

 ~~**~~

*Cue emotional sobbing* Oh poor, poor Eponine! I was literally dreading this chapter, but it had to be put in...I hoped you enjoyed it! I was almost crying as I typed it...OH GOD...

I'm really proud of this one, so plesae tell me what you think? Was it sad enough? Who am I kidding, the whole of Les Mis is sad! *inner sigh* Also the song on the side even has some of the dialogue, so for the full effect you can listen to it...

I love you, with all my heart :') , I'm going to go sobb/cry now. Au Revoir! 

-Grantaire/Kat xx

P.S: My friend 'cmaguire' has written a Courfeyrac fanfic that corressponds to this one! So if you like the lovely Fra Fee you better check it out!  Here's the link:

http://www.wattpad.com/story/4540910-all-i-see-a-les-misérable-fanfic