Brave: A Les Mis AU

Chapter 10

When they got back to the castle, evidently everyone got bored, because they had taken the empty chairs and empty tables, built a barricade and were firing blunt-tip arrows everywhere and yelling maniacally.

"We should have never trusted them alone," Eponine groaned, watching, and walked out into the middle of the room, praying that none of the arrows would hit her. Miraculously, however, everyone stopped firing as soon as they realized she was there.

"What would you like, my lady?" Marius called from across the room, holding a torch and a barrel of gunpowder. Eponine wasn't sure she wanted context on that move.

She took a deep breath. "You know, once there was an ancient kingdom divided as our kingdom is now, and it fell disastrously. As I can see, our kingdom is about to do the same thing. Our kingdom was forged in bravery and friendship, and it lives to this day. But I've been selfish," Eponine admitted, "There's no one to blame but me. And I know now that I need to amend my mistake and mend our bond. And so, there is the matter of my betrothal. I decided to do what's right, and--"

Cosette was trying to get her attention, waving her arms. Eponine watched her sign something from across the room. "And... break... tradition." The men in the room looked at each other in surprise. Eponine continued slowly, "My friend, Cosette, feels in her heart, that I--no, we--be free to write our own story. Follow our hearts, and find love in our time."

By the time she finished speaking, almost everyone in the room was in tears. "Beautiful," Marius breathed softly, his eyes round and very, very dialated.

"My friend and I put the decision to you all; Might our young people decide for themselves who they will love?" Eponine asked, and everyone looked at each other again. At least they weren't fighting yet.

Gillenormand walked up to Eponine with a stern frown, and she could feel her body tense. "Destroy the lineage of our kingdoms? The very idea is--"

"Wonderful!" Marius shouted from across the room, "That sounds amazing, being able to love who you want to love without anyone telling you not to!"

"What?" Joly, Bossuet, and Musichetta looked at Grantaire.

"Yeah! I prefer boys anyway!" he shouted in a drunken slur. "It was your idea for me to come here."

Feuilly looked at Bahorel, who asked Courfeyrac, "And do you feel the same way?"

Courfeyrac was practically jumping out of his chair. "Don't you two want to get married? Imagine, having this man next to you for the rest of your life."
"You know, that sounds really nice," Feuilly said, and Bahorel breathed a sigh of relief. "What was that for? Should I be worried?"

"Oh nothing, just grateful you're okay with the fact that I got the paperwork signed for us to be married five years ago. I had to get you on my life insurance, but that was the only way."

"That's why on February twelfth you always give me flowers," Feuilly said thoughtfully, things coming together. "Accidentally in love, I suppose."

"Why didn't we have them figuring out their own love interests, anyway?" called a voice from the back of the room, and Grantaire was starstruck again.

"So, I'm not needed?" the scorekeeper asked disappointedly, "Since there are no scores to keep?"

Courfeyrac chased after him. "No, no, no, you're very much needed. Do... is your heart by any chance available for the winning?" he asked hopefully.

The young man looked a bit bashful as he said, "I'm sorry, but no, it has already been stolen by someone."

"Oh..." Courfeyrac mumbled, "Sorry for bothering you, sir."