Daphné

Chapter 6 - The hour of fate

Time had passed since the day of the rally which had, despite my injuries, had a happy ending. A week after Enjolras and I walked hand in hand to the meeting from his house where we now lived together. My parents had returned from their trip and were thrilled that I had found a man for myself, especially one who was fighting for such a noble cause. Our whole family hated the monarchy and this only brought the four of us closer making Enjolras and I very happy.
We walked down the street, talking about anything that came to mind, avoiding the topic of revolution. Since the rally, there had been several meetings at the Musain and a plan had come together; on what Enjolras called 'the hour of fate' barricades would rise and that's when the revolution would begin.

The sun began to go down as we stepped into the Musain, making our way up the rickety staircase to the meeting room. We were greeted by warm smiles and I couldn't help but crumble internally at the thought that one day, they would all be gone. But I was Enjolras' girl and I had to put on a brave face for the boys, as I had recently been told how much I inspire them to keep on fighting for their cause. As I walked over to my usual place beside Grantaire, I noticed how one person was missing; Marius. I looked around and saw that Enjolras noticed too, as a frown appeared on his perfectly chiseled features.

Despite his absence, the meeting commenced and I sat with Grantaire and Courf laughing at all his stupid jokes until I was in tears. God, I would really miss them. A while before the meeting finished, there was a loud banging sound and we looked up to see Marius running up the stairs into the meeting room before collapsing in a chair by the small bar.
I could see Enjolras giving a dissaproving look, before turning back to a pile of maps he was studying with Combeferre and Bousset. I continued looking at Marius with his dazed puppy face and realised the boy was in love. I mentally hoped it was Éponine, it was so obvious she loved him but he was oblivious to it.

"Marius whats wrong you, look as if you've seen a ghost", Joly's voice snaps us both out of our thoughts.

"Some wine and say what going on", says Grantaire surprising everyone by pouring Marius some of his wine.

"A ghost you say, a ghost maybe, she was just like a ghost to me, one minute there then she was gone", he replied and I've never seen him look more defeated. 

My heart is breaking for Éponine because I realise this is definitely not her Marius is talking about. Grantaire and Joly look around laughing as 'Taire replies, "I am agog, I am aghast is Marius in love at last? I've never heard him oohh and ahh". Marius shrugs off the comment as 'Taire stands up and looks at Enjolras "you talk of battles to be won and here he comes like Don Juan it is better than an opera" I look at Enjolras as he strides over to them.

"It is time for us all to decide who we are. Do we fight for the right to a night at the opera now? he says to Grantaire, who has moved over to Marius and my breath hitches in my throat as I see 'Taire looking at my boyfriend with a look of I, couldn't believe this, love. "Have you asked of yourself what's the price you might pay?" Enjolras continues staring at Marius, "or is this simply a game for a rich, young boy to play?" I wince slightly at this, "the colours of the world are changing day by day".

"Red the blood of angry men. Black the dark of ages past. Red a world about to dawn. Black the night that ends at last". Enjorlas finishes, walking away until Marius stands up and says "had you seen her today you might know how it feels, to be struck to the bone in a moment of breathless delight". Enjolras scoffs at this as if it was preposterous to feel that way, and I feel a dozen eyes turn to me as a single tear rolls down my face. Enjolras doesn't notice. He moved to walk away from Marius who grabs his arm and continues, "had you been there today you might also have known, how your world may be changed in just one burst of light and what was right seems wrong and what was wrong seems right". Enjolras seems shocked and before Marius continues he steals a look at me, shocked to see me in tears before it dawns on him what he did and he look at me apologetically as Marius goes on singing his woes.

"Red", Grantaire prompts Marius who replied with "I feel my soul on fire" 

"Black" 

"my world if shes not there" 

"Red" 

"the colour of desire" 

"Black" 

"the colour of despair" 

Marius finishes as Enjolras continues, "Marius you're no longer a child I do not doubt you mean it well, but now there is a higher call. Who cares about your lonely soul, we strive towards a larger goal. Our little lives don't count at all". Those words are all that it takes to send me into more tears. I get ready to leave but Enjolras keeps singing "red, the blood of angry men. Black the dark of ages past. Red a world about to dawn. Black the night that ends at last."

I stand to leave and walk to the stairs as quickly as I can, when Courfeyrac bellows "everybody listen!" and Gav shouts "General Lamarque is dead!" I freeze and turn to look at the love of my life, who says "Lamarque, his death is the hour of fate. The people's man. His death is the sign we await! On his funeral day, they will honour his name with the light of rebellion ablaze in their eyes. From their candles of grief we will kindle our flame, on the tomb of Lamarque shall our barricade rise! The time is here! Let us welcome it gladly with courage and cheer!" yells Enjolras, his eyes burning with determination. 

"Let us take to the streets with no doubt in our hearts!" adds Feuilly.

"But a jubilant shout!" shouts Courfeyrac.

"They will come one and all!" sings Bousset.

"They will come when we call!" everyone sings and my heart drops even further.

I listen to every word and move to leave and just as I'm about to descend the stairs, Enjolras grabs my arm "I'm going home", I say. "Let me walk you" "fine", I reply, not in the mood for conversation. We walk home in silence, that is until Enjolras breaks it. "Are you upset with me?" he asks to which I reply "well you're not wrong" "is this about what happened with Marius because..." "It's not just about Marius!" I snap, and turn to look at him, my eyes glistening with fresh tears. "Then what is it?" he asks and those four words are enough to break any self restraint I possessed. "You should honestly hear yourself sometimes Enjolras! Marius is in love at last and when he tries to explain it to you, you act as if It's ridiculous and as if he shouldn't be feeling those things. Did you ever stop to realise how stupid you made me look and feel, when you scoffed at him, as if our love meant nothing to you, as if it was a preposterous idea?" I finish, my tears replaced with a mix of sadness and rage and I can see the tears glistening in Enjolras' own eyes as he envelops me into his arms and I cant help but melt into his embrace.

He kisses my head and I can feel his body shaking, and I look up to see the mighty Enjolras crying as he chokes out "I'm sorry mon amour. You know i didn't mean to hurt you and your love means everything to me. I'm sorry."
I look up in shock. I have never heard him talk like this before and mentally accepting his apology I stand on my tip toes to wipe away his tears, before placing a kiss on his lips. "I love you Enjolras" I whisper. "I love you Daphné", he replies.

We walk home holding hands in comfortable silence until I turn to look at him. "Enjolras", I say and he replied with "what is it mon amour?" "this revolution; promise me you'll live through it, promise me you'll make it..." "I promise" he whispers. We continue the walk home too absorbed in our own thoughts to say anything else. I think about the promise he made. It's the first time he's ever lied to me.