Little People Love

Chapter 5

Marius' POV:

I sighed in relief when it was over. It broke my heart to see her in pain. I was hurt when she thought the love letter was for someone else, but I didn't have the courage to tell her that it was for her. I just prayed we both lasted through the night so that I could tell her. I carried her off to the side and laid her in a small place to sleep and kissed her gently.

I then looked Inspector Javert inside... he'd saved her. I couldn't let him die. I glared slightly and went over to Enjorlas.

"Enjorlas, let me kill the Inspector," I asked. "It's because of him we didn't have a spy to tell us the truth and Paigé got shot."

Enjorlas thought for a moment before nodding.

"You saved us from being overrun, do what you must," He told me and handed me a gun and knife.

I nodded and grabbed the Inspector and dragged him to the Alley behind the Café.

"I knew you'd try to kill me... you're right, it's my fault the girl and all your friends shall die... doesn't make you any less of a traitor or criminal... all your supplies are stolen... A traitor and a Thief..." The inspector said.

"You talk too much, your life is safe in my hands," I said and cut the ropes. "Get out of here."

"Don't understand..." Javert said, confused.

"Clear out of here," I told him.

"You're a thief, you all are thieves. What you want you always steal. You would trade your life for mine? Yes boy you want a deal. Shoot me now for all I care, if you let me go beware. You'll still answer to Javert!"

I looked at him and shook my head.

"You're wrong, and always have been wrong. We are men, no worse than any men. You are free, and there are no conditions, no bargains or petitions. There's nothing that I blame you for. You've done your duty, nothing more. Now go," I told him and shot in the air to make it sound like I'd shot him.

Javert seemed confused then ran off silently.

I sighed in relief and walked back to the others, nodding to Enjorlas who nodded and patted me on the back.

Enjorlas sighed before saying, "Courfeyrac, you take the watch. They may attack before it's light. Everybody keep the faith, for as certain as our banner flies, we are not alone. The people too must rise."

I nodded and began building up the barricade more.

"Marius, rest," Enjorlas told me.

Grantaire looked around at us and for the first time... we all began to realize that we would die.

"Drink with me, today's gone by," Grantaire sang.

"Sing with me, the songs we knew," Feuilly sang, his hand on Grantaire's shoulder.

"Here's to pretty girls who went to our head," Prouvaire joined in.

"Here's to pretty girls who went to our beds," Joly added before everyone joined in.

"Here's to them, and here's to you."

Grantaire seemed to become more upset and sang,

"Drink with me, today's gone by! Can it be you fear to die? Will the world remember you when you fall? Can it be your death means nothing at all? Is your life just one more lie?"

Grantaire glared at Enjorlas and went into the Café as everyone began singing.

"Drink with me, today's gone by! To the light, that used to be! At the shrine of friendship, never say die.... Let the wine of friendship never run dry! Here's to you, and here's to me!"

I stood off to the side and looked through the window at Paigé, deathly pale and finally waking up.

"Do I care if I should die? I know she'll never be with me. Life without Paigé means nothing at all! Would you weep, my love, if I were to fall? Would you weep, Paigé, for me?" I sang sadly before laying down on the barricade in the corner to sleep.

Paigé's POV:

I heard Marius sing softly when he thought I was asleep and I blinked back tears. He loved me. I looked down at my side and saw a bit of blood still coming from my wound. I knew I was dying... and I would do everything to make sure Marius survived.

I stood up gently and walked over to the window and looked at Marius.

"God on high... hear my prayer... in my need... you have always been there... He is young... he's afraid... let him rest... heaven blessed...

"He's the love I might have known... If I had lived to find love...

"The summers die.... One by one... how soon they fly... on and on... and I am hurt... and will be gone...

"Bring him peace... bring him joy... he is young... he is only a boy...

"You can take! You can give! Let him be... let him live... If I die... let me die!

"Let him live... bring him home... bring him home... bring... him... home!"

I sighed and fell asleep near the window, not knowing that surrounding us on every street were soldiers.