She Knew Her Way Around

895 18 6

by professionalfangirl9

Dedicated to Victor Hugo

by professionalfangirl9

***3 Days After The Barricades Rose***

The room was full. And silent. Completely, utterly silent. Courfeyrac, Combeferre, Marius, and Enjolras slowly processed into the room, bearing Eponine's coffin. Gavroche walked behind them, carrying a single red rose. The funeral was excruciatingly sad, but also very dull. It didn't seem like a proper send off for a girl who had been so full of life. However, the people of France wanted to pay their proper respects to their hero, the martyr, the 'flower of the revolution', as she was now being called. These same people used to sneer at her in the streets. They realized, too late, that she was the loveliest girl in the country.

After the service only the boys remained. After a minute, Gavroche stood up.

"Ep wouldn't have wanted this." He said, his voice strong even through his tears.

"I know." Marius whispered. He blamed himself for her death.

"Well lets go to the café and have a drink then." Grantaire said.

They all stared at him in horror. How could he talk of drinking at a time like this?

"I agree." Enjolras stated, startling them all. "We shall drink to her memory."

He looked at Grantaire, but the struggling alcoholic refused to meet his gaze. They hadn't spoken since their argument. Nevertheless, they all made their way to the café. When they arrived, Marius, choking on his words, raised his glass.

"To Eponine Thenadier" He said. "She was my best friend, she could light up the room with her smile, and she never lost hope, even though life did not treat her kindly. Everyone sees her as the pretty girl who died for the cause, but I know that she was so much more than that. She was the bravest woman, no, person, I've ever met. I love her, maybe not in the way that she wanted, but I still love her with all my heart. She is the reason I'm standing here today."

"To Eponine." The boys chorused, lifting their glasses, and then gulping down the blood-red wine, hoping to drown their pain in the haze of the alcohol.