~Beyond the Barricade~
Part
One
It was a bright, cheery spring morning in Paris, France.
The year was 1855. It was warm, with a light breeze blowing. The fragrance of
the freshly bloomed flowers filled the air. Baron and Baroness Pontmercy were
walking through the streets, hand in hand. Even after 23 years of marriage, the
couple was still in love. A young girl, about fifteen or sixteen years of age,
trailed behind them. She had lovely chestnut hair and big blue eyes. She had a
pensive expression on her face as the group meandered through the streets of
Paris. The Baroness turned around and spoke,
"Darling,
why are you trailing so far behind us? Please, come and join us, dearest."
The young girl walked forward, closer to them.
"You
are being quite quiet today, Angeline." The Baron pointed out.
"I
have many things on my mind, Papa." Angeline responded, with a small
smile. She studied her father. He had nice clothes, but they didn't look like
the clothes of a Baron. They were plain. The small family lived very simply.
They didn't hold grand balls or fancy dinners. They used as little money as
they possibly could. The rest of the money was saved or donated to the
unfortunate. They were the benefactors to many charities. They were happy,
though. They were a very close family. Angeline was an only child, though The
Baron and Baroness would have liked to have more children. Angeline was a
bright girl who had inherited her mother's kind and gentle nature and her
father's talent with foreign languages.
"And what is on your mind?" Her father asked,
a bit concerned.
"Oh, nothing, really. It is only that my tutor, Mademoiselle Barousse,
has been teaching me about the French Revolution these past few weeks and yesterday
was informing me about the few events that happened afterwards. The battles
fought for the same causes that the Revolution fought for? Well, Papa, she
informed me that you were at the June Rebellion! Now, I know she probably was
fabricating a fanciful tale so that I would be entranced by my lessons, but I
just can't seem to get the account out of my mind!" Angeline explained,
waiting for a response.
She expected her Father to burst out laughing, telling
her that her tutor had a large imagination. But, instead, Baron Marius
Pontmercy, was silent. Angeline looked at her parent in confusion. She turned
to The Baroness.
"Mama, why did Papa fall silent? It isn't true, is
it? It cannot be true! The June
Rebellion occurred around the time when you and Papa first met. He wouldn't
have risked his life at a barricade when he had you!"
Baroness Cosette Pontmercy had not a slightest notion on
how to respond. She glanced at her husband, unsure how to answer her daughter.
"Yes, Angeline, I did fight in the rebellion, alongside
my closest friends. They all expired on the barricade." Marius explained
in a serious voice.
Angeline's eyes grew wide. "You mean to tell me
that you fought in the June Rebellion? You?" She shrieked, obtaining
disapproving glances from the strangers on the street.
"Angeline, keep your voice down! It is not ladylike
to scream like an insane woman. You must be rational about this!" Cosette
hissed at her daughter. Sometimes Cosette didn't know what to do with Angeline.
She loved her immensely, of course, but sometimes she could forget all manners
and embarrassed Cosette.
"Yes, I was in the June Rebellion. And I witnessed
things that no human being should ever witness." Marius said to his daughter.
"And why does Mademoiselle Barousse know about this
and not I, your daughter?" Angeline murmured, practically hysterical. Her parents
had always been truthful with her. Or at least she thought them honest.
"The subject came up during her interview. She had
a brother at a barricade and she wondered if it had been ours. He wasn't. I deduct that she assumed you knew. Now
please, let us leave the subject at that." The Baron explained firmly.
"I am having a difficult time comprehending that my
dearest parents kept this from me. What is next? Will I learn that your name
isn't really Cosette? That you are not even my mother?" The Daughter
fumed.
The Baroness blushed, "My true name is Euphrasie,
but no one has ever referred to me as that. But I am your mother, believe me
that."
"I am not sure what to believe any longer!"
Angeline exclaimed.
"Now, dear, stop this. We didn't believe it was
important to tell you. It was a battle nearly 23 years ago. Please don't act
like this!" Marius said, gently.
"Well, tell me about it. I want to know about your
friends! About the battle! Was it scary? Exciting? I wish to know every little
detail!" Angeline said, her eyes full of excitement.
"Darling, I know you are interested and I'm pleased
with that but I do not want to reawake those wretched, miserable memories.
Please, just leave it alone."
"But-" Angeline began, but The Baron interrupted.
"No, leave it. I do not want to have this argument,
Angeline. I say again, leave it alone."
The family finished their walk in silence. Angeline
couldn't get it out of her mind. Her father in the June Rebellion! She knew she
would have to know more, even if it wasn't through her father. She would find
out about his friends and that night on the barricade.
Hope you enjoyed!
Over and Out!
Syd
I love the concept and the story! I can't wait to hear more!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sierra! That means a lot since I know that you're a big Les Mis fan and an awesome writer!
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