Disclaimer: None of these characters are owned by me, and I intend no copyright infringement. I'm just a fan borrowing from the storyline for entertainment purposes.

I have strayed from Randall Wallace's storyline a little, but his version of events is what this is based on. Enjoy, and please review!

ONE

'Captain.' D'Artagnan turned to see Lieutenant Andre striding towards him across the Musketeer's courtyard. 'Captain, the casualty list from the front arrived.' D'Artagnan nodded absent-mindedly and took the sheet of paper from the Lieutenant, but continued to read the report on the threat of peasants to the king that he held in his other hand. When he noticed that the Lieutenant was waiting for him to read the casualty list he sighed and rubbed his forehead, grimacing slightly. His eyes scanned down the page, noting with regret the names of a few men he knew. And then his eyes came to rest upon one in particular. He turned sharply to the Lieutenant, who dipped his head in understanding.

'Does Athos know of this?' D'Artagnan asked.

'I do not know Captain,' came the reply. 'We ourselves only received it several hours ago.'

'Damn it!' D'Artagnan cursed, and Andre raised his eyebrows, for it was uncharacteristic of the Captain of the Musketeers to blaspheme. 'Lieutenant, get somebody to saddle my horse,' he ordered. 'I must go and inform Athos of this personally.' He pushed the paper he was holding into the Lieutenant's hands and began to stride towards the palace steps.

'Captain!' Andre called. D'Artagnan wheeled around, impatience on his face.

'What?'

'Athos,' Andre replied, pointing towards the gates. D'Artagnan's brow furrowed with sadness as he watched his old friend ride angrily through the gates. He dismounted and walked straight for D'Artagnan, who was himself already moving purposefully towards his friend.

'Athos,' D'Artagnan began. 'Athos, I am so sorry…'

'You traitor,' Athos hissed, and he swung his right arm up and hit D'Artagnan squarely in the face, nearly causing the younger man to fall. Within seconds there were members of the Musketeers drawing their weapons on all sides, angrily prepared to protect their Captain. Athos too drew his sword and defiantly swung at his attackers who gallantly fought back. D'Artagnan, recovered from the shock of being hit by his friend, recognised that Athos would be killed if he didn't intervene, and so he leapt onto the grieving man's back, forcing him to the ground, yelling at his men to cease the attack.

'Athos,' he said forcefully. 'Athos, stop it please. All of you, back away!' The two men lay on the ground, breathing heavily, surrounded by a ring of musketeers with their swords drawn.

'D'Artagnan,' Athos growled. 'Your king killed my son.' He pulled angrily away from the Captain's grip, and stood, angrily facing him. 'I will kill your king.' D'Artagnan spread his hands apologetically.

'Athos, I don't know what to say. I hope with all my heart that there is some other explanation. I will speak to the king directly about it.'

'You said you would speak to the king directly about ensuring Raoul's safety!' Athos spat. 'And look what good came of it.' D'Artagnan flinched, visibly stung by the words of hatred that came from his friend.

'Athos, I am sorry. I'm sure it is a misunderstanding…'

'Misunderstanding! D'Artagnan, my son is dead! You are not a father – there is no way you can know the pain that I feel. All you know is your loyalty to that… That spoilt little boy!' D'Artagnan nodded

sadly, his eyes lowered.

'You are right Athos. Fatherhood is a blessing I have no knowledge of, and I cannot begin to understand what you feel. But I too cared for Raoul, and I too am angered by his death. I suggest you go home and rest, and do not attempt to kill anybody. We will forget that you were ever here.'

'Am I suppose to be indebted to you now, for allowing me to go free? I would rather hang than be indebted to you!'

'Athos, please! I will get to the bottom of this for you. You have my word.' Athos spat on the ground at D'Artagnan's feet, prompting a ripple to go through the musketeers surrounding them.

'Your word means nothing to me,' he said, turning on his heel. D'Artagnan watched as his friend rode away, and then turned to the young men surrounding him.

'You are not to tell the king that Athos was here. Do you understand?' The men nodded, and D'Artagnan sighed heavily. 'Good,' he murmured. He hesitated for a moment, and then turned and walked purposefully towards the palace. In the main foyer he met Laurent, Louis' chief advisor, and

beckoned to him. 'Where is the king?'

'He is in his office, Captain,' Laurent replied as he flipped through papers. D'Artagnan nodded.

'Thank you.' He headed up the stairs and along a long corridor before coming to rest in front of two large, gold doors. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and then knocked.

'Enter,' the king called. D'Artagnan let himself into the office and closed the door behind him. 'Ah, D'Artagnan,' Louis said, looking up from where he was sitting at his desk. 'I have been meaning to talk to you.'

'Your Majesty?'

'To whom do I speak if I want to make a recommendation for a lady-in-waiting for my mother?'

'I suspect you would speak to Her Majesty, sire,' D'Artagnan replied. Louis nodded.

'Yes, but D'Artagnan I am not making a recommendation for a lady-in-waiting. I simply want the correct paperwork to summon the woman here to the palace.' D'Artagnan looked at the king carefully.

'Sire, if I may…'

'What is it?'

'Is it possible that the woman whom you wish to summon is Christine Bonnet?' Louis smiled.

'You watch me too closely, D'Artagnan,' he scolded. D'Artagnan bowed his head and took a deep breath.

'Your Majesty, I received news today that Raoul, son of Athos was killed on the front line.' Louis raised his eyebrows.

'You don't say.'

'Sire… Did you order Raoul killed to clear the way to this woman?' Louis frowned and stood up, angrily facing his head bodyguard.

'How dare you, D'Artagnan.' D'Artagnan dipped his head in respect.

'Forgive me, but Athos is one of my oldest friends, and he suspects that you are responsible for his son's death – I simply want to be able to put his mind at ease.'

'You know that you can do that, D'Artagnan. I really don't see why you felt the need to ask me such an insulting question. I am not the sort of person who would do such a thing.' D'Artagnan stared apprehensively at the young king, for they both knew that he was exactly the sort of person who would do such a thing.

'Of course, your Majesty.' Louis sighed impatiently and glanced at some papers on his desk.

'Have the appropriate papers for Mademoiselle Bonnet brought to me.' D'Artagnan nodded.

'Of course.'

'Will there be anything else?'

'No your Majesty.'

'Then please leave me be,' the irritated king said, and D'Artagnan turned, relieved to have permission to leave the office that somehow reeked of injustice. He closed the door behind him and then walked down the corridor and into his own office, where he slumped into the chair behind his desk and put his head into his hands. He had no idea what he would tell Athos – there was no way that he could defend Louis' actions without sounding as though he condoned the behaviour, which he absolutely did not. It seemed as though his friendship with Athos may be entering some dangerous territory. He leaned forward and glanced irreverently at the map of the grounds laid out before him, and wondered whether it wouldn't just be better for everyone if he let the next assassin complete his task. He sighed, knowing that if he was indeed put into another position of having to save Louis' life, that he would do so wholeheartedly, and, if need be, sacrifice his own to ensure that Louis survived.

'Captain?' D'Artagnan looked up at the sound of Caroline's voice. The elderly nun, who had been the queen mother's personal consort for more than twenty years, stood before him. 'Her Majesty would like a word with you.' D'Artagnan stood and walked around his desk so that he stood in front of it. Caroline smiled at him, and left his office, leaving him alone with Louis' mother.

'Your Majesty,' he said softly, bowing slightly. She stood, erect and poised in front of him, her face an image of calm and serenity.

'I heard of what happened to the son of Athos,' she said quietly. 'I know that he is one of your oldest friends.' D'Artagnan gave a nod of agreement. 'I am sorry.'

'Thank you,' he replied.

'Will you please let Athos know that he has my condolences?'

'Of course.' D'Artagnan looked up and met her eyes, holding their gaze for several seconds.

'Did Louis have him killed, D'Artagnan?' she said suddenly, and D'Artagnan's eyes widened in surprise. She was staring at him with such pain and guilt on her face that he was not quite sure how to respond.

'Please, do not trouble yourself with thoughts like that,' he said evasively. Her brow furrowed, but she did not press him, for she knew that there were many things she had kept from him that he had every right to know. 'Thank you for taking the time, my lady,' he said. She nodded, then turned and left the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.