Constant Angel
Disclaimer: I own nothing at all. Playing with the characters of Alexandre Dumas, the characters that the BBC are playing with at the moment
Rating: M/ R/ NC-17
Pairing: Athos x Marie de Rohan (OC)
Summary: It's 1631, the Madame de Chevreuse is a suspected spy for the English. The Queen knows otherwise and the Musketeers protect her at all costs. It is Athos' duty to protect her personally. Is that such a good idea?
A/N: Marie de Rohan was a real person but, like Alexandre Dumas, I'm playing around with her too. Rated M for sexual situations and violence.
I
It was not even her fault. It was her husband's fault. She had lied to save him. He was a madman and a tyrant. But she saved him to save her children. They were more important to her than anything. She had been sent safely to the Musketeers' headquarters and was now sitting in front of Captain de Tréville's desk, who had left to find his most trusted Musketeers to protect her. The Queen had demanded Marie's safety as the Queen knew that Marie had nothing to do with the Buckingham affair. All she did was have an affair with an Englishman but nothing more. Her husband was the one corresponding with the Duke of Buckingham and plotting with him. She had been a victim of her husband's crimes. There was no proof against him except her word and the Queen's word.
Her hands twisted in her lap as she waited for M. de Tréville to return with his Musketeers. She was in hiding and there she would stay until it was safe enough to return home. If it weren't for her children, she would have remained in hiding. Hidden from her husband. That she would have loved. But her children. They were the most important things in her entire life. She was giving them up to save their life and her life.
When the door opened, she was on her feet to greet the people. "Aramis!" She cried in shock. She pushed the chair back a little and ran to him, throwing her arms around him.
"Marie." He held her tightly as the others walked into the office. "Don't worry. I'll look after you." He looked up at Treville. "She can stay with me."
"No," grunted Treville. "You are too obvious. You are a friend of Madame de Chevereuse. Porthos, you are too obvious because of your size and strength. Athos, you are the best fighter. You can protect her the best."
Athos shook his head. "No. I have no space. Aramis is the best option."
"No." Treville said sternly, his eyes fixed on Athos. "She stays with you. It is known in court that she and Aramis used to be lovers. They will go to him first to find her." He withdrew a letter from his jacket. "I have a letter from the Queen. The contents of her letter states that she believes Madame de Chevreuse to be innocent and it is Duke de Chevreuse, who is the guilty party. As there is no evidence just yet, the Queen asks me to protect Madame de Chevreuse. She more than asks, she begs me." He handed the letter to Athos, who read the contents carefully. "Now, you can see the reason."
Athos looked up at Aramis, who was still comforting the young woman. "Fine. Only until there is another safe place for her." He gave the letter back and turned from the room. This was not what he wanted. He did not want to be a protector. At that present moment, he wanted a drink.
"It will be all well." Aramis whispered softly as he stroked her back. "Athos will keep you safe. I'll visit as often as I can. I promise."
"I promise you, I didn't do it!" She stepped back and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "I promise you, Aramis. You've known me for a long time. I could never do anything like this."
He cupped her cheeks. "I know you are innocent. But for now, stay with Athos. He maybe a little rough around the edges but he will look after you." Her hands rested on top of his, and he stepped forward and kissed her softly on the forehead. "How will we get her to Athos' home? She is a little too obvious." Gesturing to her rich clothes.
"We can wait until it is dark. Send for Madame Bonacieux. She can know the truth and ask her to bring a plain dress for Madame de Chevreuse." Treville gave the order to d'Artagnan, who nodded and quickly left the room. "Madame, sit down and rest. You will exhaust yourself." He grasped her elbow and helped her to her seat.
"I'm terrified that I will be found. I'm facing the gallows. If I'm caught, I'll hang. Not even the Queen can save me from that fate." She sat in a chair, her head in her hands. It was not going to be any easier.
I
The two of them left the musketeers garrison in the dead of night. She had been given a plain dark dress with a dark cloak and hood. The hood hid her face from anybody they passed. They walked in silence. Athos stood very close to her. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as a precaution. Neither of them said a word to the other on their short journey to Athos' home.
Once they were inside, they still nothing to each other. He locked the door and she took the hood down. She took in the small dwelling and secretly, she was disgusted by the untidiness and the empty wine bottle littering the place. She took off her cloak just as he pulled a clean sheet from a cupboard. He unfolded it and lay it onto his bed. "You may have my bed." Athos was not impressed that he had to lodge and protect this woman here. For all her knew, she was the traitor and she was blaming her husband. To be fair, she was pleasant enough to have around. A pretty thing too. He could see why Aramis had liked her.
She smiled broadly, trying to be polite and avoid looking at the dirty area or any of the dirty bottles. "Thank you. Where will you sleep?" The dwelling was not very big and there was no room for another bed.
"By the door." He returned to his cupboard and pulled out two blankets, placing one on the bed for her and the other on the table, which stood by the locked door. "Just in case." He began to shed his coat. Only stopping when she moved behind him and helped him. "Thank you," he said gruffly and allowed her to take his coat away, soon followed by his sword and pistol. "You're an expert."
"I used to help my first husband. It helped us build out relationship in our short marriage." Giving a little smile as she placed the leather coat on the back of the only chair in the room and placing his weapons on the table. "What food do you have?"
He moved to another small cupboard and pulled out a small loaf of bread, laying it on the table. "Very little. I will get more tomorrow." He let her sit on the only chair and she tore the bread in half, giving half to him.
She laughed softly. "How do you survive on no food and only ale and wine?" Lifting an empty glass bottle and shaking it at him.
Athos snatched them from her. "Madame, I manage."
Marie's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Tomorrow, you will fetch us some food and I will cook for us. As a thank you for doing what you are doing."
"Fine." He rolled his eyes and walked away from her. This was going to be hard. Athos was not used to having his space invaded like this. "I have to go to the garrison in the morning. I will leave you the key, so you will have control."
"Fine." She said stubbornly and ignored him as she ate her piece of bread. She hoped all this trouble would blow over and she would returned to her normal life. To return home and return to her son and daughter.
-I-
A/N: This has been a work in progress ever since the first episode. I will tell you now, that Athos' house did not burn down in this story like it did in episode 3. This takes place after episode 4. Hope you enjoyed!