The Night That Ends At Last *Les Miserables Romance (Enjolras)*

Chapter 11: Joleigh's Prayer

Chapter 11: Joleigh’s Prayer

Yes, I know I'm just an outcast,

I shouldn't speak to you.

Still I see Your face and wonder,

Were You once an outcast too?

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The boys were deep in sleep, the steady breathing they were doing made the barricade seem as it were alive. ‘Les Amis’ were now all huddled together dreaming on each other’s shoulders. Joleigh stood for a moment, taking in the sight before her until moving towards it. It was a sweet sight, seeing all her friends in union, not bickering not jesting not teasing one another; for once it was still – and it was calm. Joliegh padded up to the sleeping bundle of Gavroche, watching in amusement as his little form rose and fell with every drawn breath. She hesitantly reached out to stroke an overgrown strand of straw-like hair from his eyes, pushing it back his brow. His lips were plump, pressed together in a small smile; occasionally his breathing pattern would increase and his brow would crease, letting a whimper slip past those lips. His legs would twitch under the cloth as if he was being chased. Yes that was it; the boy was being chased through his dreams.

Joleigh watched with pity as Gavroche shivered, and delicately bent down to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. At once the boy relaxed and let out a tiny sigh. “It’s alright. Nothing will hurt you Gav, sleep my little soldier.” She soothed, whilst pulling the sheet back up to his scrawny shoulders. Joleigh took a step away and with a sad smile, turned to face her slumbering friends. She went to Grantaire first. He was still in the same position she left him in, right cheek pressed into the wooden tabletop, arms hanging loosely by his sides. Joleigh smiled. Grantaire and her had always been the closest, besides Enjolras anyways. When they were younger she was the only one he could go to with problems, someone who supported him unlike any of the other boys, and someone who actually cared. His family gave up on him after he started failing in school, but Joleigh never did. To her Grantaire was loveable, funny and gentle; only acting in the drunken manner he was known for to cover up his true feelings. Such things were only shared between the two of them. Yes, Joleigh knew Grantaire’s deepest secret, and he knew hers. They were basically siblings who loved each other as any real brother and sister would. The girl bent over to kiss his cheek, his black stubble scratching her tender skin. At once the drunk mumbled;

“Apollo…” And nuzzled his head onto the table. Joleigh smirked.

“Oh, ‘Taire.” She sighed and rubbed his back. When she turned to look at the others, her heel kicked the empty bottle on the ground, causing it to rattle as it rolled over a few cobblestones. Joleigh picked it up and set it on the table before sitting down on a chair opposite to the snoring Jehan and Joly. The girl took a moment to take in the peace. When she closed her eyes; without the image and just the senses of sound and touch, it almost felt as if nothing had changed at all. The wind whispering past the buildings through the thick night to rustle the wispy ends of her hair, the soft drip of rainwater as it falls steadily from soaked roof tiles to the cobble, the sound of people sleeping; it was all so relaxing, but so sad. Joleigh swallowed hard to keep her emotions down.

No more crying, no more crying, you have to stay strong. For him and for everyone. She told herself. And it worked as no more tears spilled; however it did not stop her sadness inside. Her mind drifted to the thought of old Fauchelevant’s prayer for Marius. Joleigh found herself standing and looking to the sky, just as the volunteer had done. The words tumbled from her lips in a breathless whisper; “I don’t know if you can hear me…or if you’re even there. I don’t know if you would even listen to a poor girl’s prayer.” Her eyes clenched shut and her brow furrowed with concentration, “God help the outcasts, hungry from birth. Show them the mercy they don’t find in this world. God, please, help the people they look to you still.” Joleigh’s eyes opened and she gazed down to her friends, reaching out to push Combeferre’s glasses back up his nose. “They fight for love, for freedom, for a better life; they do it in your name, so help them when nobody will.” She murmured and started to walk back to where her beloved was sleeping. But then she leaned back against a wall, feeling the cold brick under her weight. Her breathing rate increased and her voice got just a little bit louder as she pleaded to the heavens, “I ask for nothing, I can get by! But, I know so many less lucky than I. Please help my people, the poor and downtrodden…I thought we all were…children of God. So I pray for them, and – and for Enjolras, that they will be safe.” She then smiled a tiny smile. “I hope you are taking care of ‘Ponine. And if you’re listening Eponine, I miss you. So much. I hope you are happy.” Joleigh hugged herself and began to walk again. “Amen.” She breathed as she approached the sleeping Enjolras. When Joleigh lay next to him and rested her head on his chest, the leader opened his eyes slightly.

“Joleigh? Where did you go?” He was still half asleep, so Joleigh didn’t answer, but instead pulled his coat over the both of them and wrapped an arm around his waist. Enjolras was persistent, almost anxiously starting to wake up. “Joleigh?”

“Hush, sleep Enjolras.”

“But-“ He yawned.

“Shh…”Joleigh closed her eyes and he relaxed back into his position against the wall. Soon he was back to sleep. Her eyes were becoming heavy as well, and her breathing slowed. Joleigh concentrated on delightful thoughts, hoping they would put her into a blissful dream. It did. The entwined couple was finally resting.  Their heartbeats pounded in time to an unknown marching heading their way.

~~**~~

Well here we are with this different chapter! I thought that mayeb a non-Les Mis inspired chapter would be a nice change. What do you think? Please leave your thoughts and opinions, I really really really enjoy reading them! Who's your favorite character? Maybe we could have a conversation! I love chatting to you guys :) Anywways, thank you so much for reading this.

Grantarie/Kat xx

P.S - Thanks to the anonymus fan for drawing these sick illustrations of Joleigh! Here's the link if you want to check them out! 

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/funkey091/joleigh.jpg

Also, thank you Norkay5 for drawing this picture of Joleigh as well;

http://instagram.com/p/XlRk4to4H0/

If anyone else draws anything, message me and I'll put you in this mention!