The Darkest Night Will End

General Lamarque's Home, Paris, April 1st, 1832

General Lamarque's home, Paris, April 1st 1832

Jacquelyn tucked their hands into their borrowed overcoat pockets as they climbed from the carriage Enjolras had hired, looking back as the gate that led out to the street was closed by servants of the General.

"You are Les Amis De L'abc?" A straight backed man, who approached from the door asked.

"We are but a few, from many," Enjolras replied, "Representatives of our group, and of the people."

The man nodded, "The General has been expecting you, do come in Monsieurs."

In the grand foyer a maid took their coats as the man, whom Jacquelyn took to be the butler, told them to wait there while he went to speak to the General.

Charles whistled softly, looking around at the foyer, "Didn't think I would be here two months ago."

Before anyone could answer the butler reappeared, "The General will see you now, follow me."

The group followed him, through the halls and into the study, Jacquelyn continued to wring their hands nervously as they walked alongside Enjolras.

General Lamarque was sitting by the great windows that sat at the back of the study, but he stood as the group entered and the door was closed behind them, raising his eyebrows and spreading his arms wide, "So these are the men who wish to overthrow the king?"

Enjolras froze slightly, moving a fraction of an inch in front of Jacquelyn, "Monsieur I can assure-"

He was cut off by the old mans laughing, "Oh I am no threat to your operation young man, I too would like to see some change in the ruling around here."

The young revolutionaries all breathed a sigh of relief, moving further into the room, as the General said, "I thought there would be a woman here, the leader, Jacquelyn Coste, where is she?"

"I think there has been a mistake Monsieur, I, am the leader of Les Amis De L'abc," Enjolras said, stepping forward and offering out hand to shake, "Fliex Enjolras, Monsieur, these are a few of my associates, Monsieur Charles Caduiex, Monsieur Adrien Baudelaire, and-"

"Jacquelyn Coste," The General chuckled again, "I may be an old coot, but I can still recognize those eyes. Come here, child, how long has it been?"

Jacquelyn's face reddened as they moved forward, pulling off their cap to let their braids fall freely, "I was only a child then Monsieur, strange it that you remember my eyes."

"Bah! I may forget a name but I'll always remember a face. How has Julien been since your grandfather's passing?" He asked, gently tugging on their hands to get them to sit down on the chaise next to him.

They cleared their throat awkwardly, acutely aware of their friend's gazes on their, "My father has been dead, for sometime. The- the farm house burned, back in the fall of 20."

"I'm so sorry to hear that my dear. You were hardly ten were you?"

Jacquelyn took another breath, "As much as I would love to catch up with you, Monsieur, we came here on other matters."

"Oh, yes of course! Sit down, all of you sit down, I'd like to discuss your little group." He said, motioning for the others to sit down.

Slowly the men found seats around the coffee table, though Enjolras remained standing, asking, "So why exactly, if you'll forgive my bluntness, have you called us here? Do you really wish to help us?"

Lamarque nodded, "I think that you really could have something here, I may not be able to help fully within the public eye, but I would like to do something. Something needs to change, and if I am capable of helping, then I will do what I can."

"How exactly do you plan to help us without harming your position?" Charles asked.

Lamarque looked thoughtful for a moment, moving to fix himself a cup of tea from the tray that had been brought in a few minutes earlier, "I have always been popular amongst the people, I could sway them a certain direction, give them the faith to make change."

"This is true, your speeches seem to rally the people more than we ever could." Adrien nodded.

"A question for you, Monsuiers, how exactly do you plan on enacting this change you seek? And when will this be taking place?" Lamarque asked, sipping at his tea, "These things need to be planned, if they have not already."

Enjolras nodded, "A plan is being formed, though it is still in its earliest phases. The rebellion of 1830 was successful wasn't it?"

Everyone nodded in confirmation before he continued, "We are to do it again. And this time, we will do it right."

Lamarque frowned, "Are you sure? If the chaos before only placed a new tyrant on the throne how do we know it won't happen again?"

"Things thus far are already seeming to be more organized," Jacquelyn explained, "Some of our men, Bahorel, Alexander, Basset and Charles himself have been in contact with other, like minded groups. Plans are being connected between them."

The General nodded, holding up his tea cup in a toast, "Well, to the revolution boys!"

Everyone else raised their cups and the general continued to talk about things that they should begin work on.

Hours later, after Jacquelyn had promised to return to the General's Home later, when they could, to catch up with him, they found themself facing Enjolras awkwardly.

"So, you know Lamarque?" He asked hoarsely.

Their face flushed, and they glanced down for a moment, "My Grandfather served under him in the Napoleonic Wars, he would come around quite often while we stayed with him."

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked softly, "Is that how you got the interview? Did you orchestrate it? Was him noticing us just a lie?"

"No," Jacquelyn said quickly, "No, no it wasn't. He got word of us, from his people out on the streets and from Adrien dropping names to the right people."

He sighed, resting his forehead on theirs, "Whatever, it doesn't matter too much, we got Lamarque, and thats whats important."

"We could do great things, even without Lamarque," They smiled, "And we will do even better things, with his help."