Forever and Always

Chapter 6: Marius Assumes his Duties as a Watch Dog

        Marius lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He was worried about Eponine. He could not believe a father would do such awful things to his daughter, especially a daughter as wonderful as Eponine. He knew she felt guilty about robbing people, especially Enjolras and Grantaire. He sincerely hoped he had succeeded in easing her conscience about the matter. After all, she had been given no choice. It was either steal or face the wrath of Thenardier.

        Marius rolled over, lost in thought. He could not help but recall how beautiful Eponine had looked in Adalene's blue dress during dinner... Whoa, Marius, he told himself sternly. This is Eponine. She's like your sister, remember? Marius shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Suddenly, a loud, piercing scream shook the house. "Eponine!" Marius said, leaping out of bed. His first thought was that Thenardier had somehow broken into the house and was attacking Eponine. Marius raced down the hallway, his hands sweaty and his breathing ragged. The screams seemed to pierce his heart. He threw open the door and saw Eponine lying in her bed, writhing and yelling. Marius was relieved to see that Thenardier was nowhere in sight. In fact, Eponine seemed to be asleep. She must be having a nightmare, Marius thought.

        He walked over to Eponine and sat down at the edge of the bed. "Ponine, wake up," he said, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. Her eyelids flew open. She looked up at him, her eyes clouded with confusion and fear. "Go away!" she cried. "Don't touch me!"

        "I won't hurt you," Marius told her in a soft voice. "It's me, Marius. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."

        Eponine's breathing was loud and fast. She was drenched in sweat. Gradually, her body relaxed, Tentatively, Marius put an arm around her and pulled her close.

        "Hush-a-bye, dear Eponine," he sang, trying to remember the words to a lullabye Madame Lafaire used to sing to him when he was little. Try as he might, he could not recall the lyrics. Instead, he ran his fingers through her hair, trying to soothe her. "I'm here."

        Eponine smiled. "That's all I need to know," she said softly,

        "Were you having a nightmare?" asked Marius.

        "No, I was actually having quite a pleasant dream," Eponine replied sarcastically. "About rainbows and silver pavements."

        "All right, what was it really about?"

        "I don't want to talk about it."

        "Please?"

        "Fine. I was walking down the street when I heard someone calling my name. I thought it was you, so I went looking. It ended up being my father. He walked up to me and started hitting me. I tried to defend myself, but I was paralyzed. He kept hitting me and laughing and all I could do was scream. Then his face changed and he turned into you. You wouldn't stop hitting me, even though I kept screaming and begging you to please stop. Then, you woke me up. There. Happy I told you?"

        Marius felt anything but happy. "No, I most certainly am not!" he said. "Ponine, I would never hurt you, you hear me? Never!"

        Eponine buried her face into his shoulder. "I know," she told him. "I trust you." Marius hugged her.

        "Do you think I woke up Madame Lafaire with my screams?" Eponine asked. Marius laughed.

        "No, Ponine. We could have our entire revolution in her bedroom and she wouldn't wake up."

        "You and your revolution," Eponine sighed. "That's all you ever talk about. Do you think it will happen soon?"

        Marius thought for a second. "I believe," he said slowly, "it will happen. Give us a month or two to get organized and gather support, and before you know it, the people will rise up and together we will build a new France. A better France!" Marius grinned. He felt excited and energetic, as if the mere thought of the revolution gave him a burst of strength and fearlessness.

        "A better France," Eponine echoed, stifling a yawn. "No more poverty, no more hunger, no more stealing... I like the sound of that." She smiled sleepily.

        "Rest now, Ponine," Marius told her. "You've had a rough day."

        The two of them lay there for a long time, Eponine's thin body wrapped up in Marius' arms. Marius marveled at his friend. She was so small and skinny, but Marius knew her appearance was deceiving. She was the strongest, toughest person he had ever met. Despite all her struggles, she continued to face each day with courage.

        After a while, Marius assumed Eponine was asleep. Her breathing steadied and her eyes were shut. Marius started to get out of the bed to go to his own room. He was stopped by a mutter coming from Eponine's lips.

        "What did you say?" he asked her.

        "I said 'Don't go,'" Eponine said quietly. "I do not want to be by myself, not tonight. I keep expecting to see my father come bursting through the door. Please stay. If you are with me, then I know I am safe."

        Marius nodded and sat down in the chair next to her bed. He took her hand and stroked it until she fell asleep. Marius stayed in that position the entire night, guarding Eponine from her nightmares like an ever-vigilant watch dog.