CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

41.

June 4th, 1832

Enjolras POV

I was a young boy when I learned to ride a horse. In fact, it was my mother who had taught me. She took me riding when I was only 5 years old into the deep forest, the same forest I would have a house in many, many years later.

I awoke from my small nap. I looked around and was in Annelise's bed. She was not next to me. Today would be the day of the performance before I change the course of history. Supporting soldiers were helping us.

"Good morning. I figured you'd be hungry.", Delilah said, handing me a plate full of fresh berries and some type of cake.

"It's from Annelise. She made the cake and picked the berries with our siblings. When you're done, she's waiting for you in the forest, on the hill.", Delilah added.

"Thank you. You will be missed."
"I will come back. With Annelise. And you better survive this.", she said, closing the door.

I quickly ate everything from the plate and looked outside. And there she was: sitting in the grass, waiting for me. I sneaked out of her room and put the plate in the kitchen. I then stepped out in their garden and walked up the hill.

She got out of the grass and I could only focus on her. She was fragile now, even more than before.

"Careful, young lady."
"Of course. I am always careful."

"You wanted to see me before I left."

"Yes. I just wanted to tell you something. I don't know how, I don't know where or when. Something long ago and far away led me to the place I am today. The hours moved, the seasons turned, and then you uncovered secrets from my heart. That has always been there from the start. I was born to love you till I die till I bid the world goodbye. You're the only home my restless heart will ever know. Even when the stars open away, I will love you come what may. You were born as if somehow you knew, that I was born for you.", she said.

It moved me to tears.

"I wouldn't change a single thing I've done, even wasted moment I'd retrace. Knowing they would lead to your embrace. Beginnings never end once they're begun, I began thousands of years ago. Moving to the only thing I know, but here and now I'm in your arms and that's enough for me. Let here and now be our eternity. I was born to love you till I die till I bid the world goodbye. You're the only home my restless heart will ever know. Even when the stars open away, I will love you come what may. You were born as if somehow you knew that I was born for you.", I said, repeating the last bit.

I kissed her. We were going to be apart for some time. Who knew when I'd see her again. I then embraced her in a hug. I had to leave, but I'd take my time for her. She was all that mattered. Even if we lost, I had her. I would be sent to another country, I would not be a prince anymore. I could marry Annelise.

My goal was to win. And when we celebrate our victory, she will be all I think about.

I said my goodbyes and rode to the Café. Funnily enough, I said I would be back soon. Apparently, I meant the next day. I entered the Café and went straight into preparation. We had done enough rallies and enough to support us for the upcoming fight.

"Where were you?"
"He was with Annelise.", Combeferre said.
"How do you know?"
"I told him.", Delilah said.

"Combeferre, forgot the rule we had?"
"Of course. I can say goodbye to my wife though?", he asked.
"Make it quick."

He said goodbye and she left us. We spent the rest of the afternoon preparing for tomorrow morning.

***

We were waiting for our turn. I had my suitcase packed and my father would take Delilah and me to the train. Now it was our turn. Like we rehearsed.

I saw Raphael and the other members of Bastiens group in the audience. Then I saw him: in the balcony behind his father and wife. He winked at me.

We got into our position.

"There's a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall. And the bells in the steeple too. And up in the nursery, an absurd little bird is popping out to say, "Cuckoo". Regretfully they tell us but firmly they compel us to say goodbye to you.", my family sang.

Now we had our own verses.

"So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good night"
"We hate to go and leave this pretty sight.", Caroline and Finley sang.

"So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu."
"Adieu, adieu, to you and you and you.", Delilah and I sang.

After our verse we left the stage, waiting for the song to end. Once the song ended, we all rushed back to the stage. Applaud filled the hall and cheers erupted from the crowd.

"Edelweiss, Edelweiss. Every morning you greet me. Small and white, clean and bright. You look happy to meet me. Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow, Bloom and grow forever. Edelweiss, Edelweiss. Bless my homeland forever."

After the line 'Every morning you greet me' we joined in. From now on, not all his children would greet him every morning. At the last verse, the crowd sang along, while I nodded to Bastien.

He left the festival quickly, finishing up the final touches.
We would meet him at the train station, the last time for a few months.

We took our bows and left the festival. We sat in the carriage on our way to the train station. I felt scared, I couldn't do this all by myself.

When we reached the station, Bastien helped me out. He pulled me to a darker alleyway and kissed me one last time. Of course, I cried. He wiped my tears with his thumb away.

He would come and get me once this was all over. Then we stepped on the train.

*How can I leave him? Where will I go? Can the stars leave the heavens? Can the cold leave the snow? Can the wave leave the ocean? The stars leave the sky? Can I say goodbye?

Will the nights grow much harder? Will days never end? Will I pray that he finds me, with each pray'r I send? Will I live for tomorrow? I wish I could die. Can I say goodbye?

I love him, I need him. So God helps me try. Show me a way I can leave him. And not question why. What love is, and he is, is all that I know. So God help me just close my eyes,
Walk away, and let go. My fire burns too much like hell
for heaven to allow.

And so I pray I'll find a way somehow to leave him forever. Can I say goodbye? No matter how my heart's breaking. I know I must try. What love is, and he is, is all that I know. And my heart will always be his even though I'm begging my heart to let go. *

My final thoughts that I began to note down once we began moving. I would spend a lot of time writing from now on. Maybe it would help me to say goodbye.

Adieu Paris.

***

Enjolras POV

I was irritated. I missed Annelise. My heart ached to let her go. But I had to protect her. I couldn't do that when I was fighting. With Delilah, she wouldn't be alone.

One more dawn.

One more day. One day more.

A/N: the *marks a song, just letting everyone know so no one is confused