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vonny25

Of course I don't own The man in the iron mask. Not the movie version or the classic by Dumas. I mean no harm and no copyright infringement.


Chapter 2

As they rode through side roads, and through the woods to avoid any type of encounter, D'Artagnan thought how hard it had been for him to present his resignation, he would miss Ann and Louis, but he needed to protect Philippe at all cost. Louis had been too busy to pay him much attention, and simply accepted his resignation, and dismiss him, as he wanted to go and be with his lady friends. It pained him to see how Louis was behaving. It seemed he had no morals.

He looked down at his sleeping son, and knew the boy was worth any and every sacrifice. It felt so good to be able to express his paternal love openly. He had only touch Louis a hand full of times, and never as a father. But it was different with Philippe, who was starved for love, and human touch. He could not resist pulling him closer to his body in a one-arm embrace.

They had been on the road for 5 days now, and they decided to set camp. They started a fire, and Athos put a couple of ducks that Raoul had hunted over the fire. They also put a pot on the fire to warm water for tea. Philippe was sitting near his father, and reclining on him. He was bundled from head to toe. Most of the clothes from Louis were still too big for him to wear, and fell of his frail body. He was still dressed in a nightshirt from Louis, but now was wearing breeches underneath; over the shirt, he was wearing one of Louis coats, and then a hooded cape from his father. He had socks on his feet, and an old pair of shoes that had belonged to Raul years ago. With his father's help, he was starting to walk a little, but still felt very dizzy and lightheaded when he did. After a few steps, he would be panting, and exhausted. His appetite was good, but still could not eat that much at one time. D'Artagnan feed him every two to three hours as recommended by the healer. He also cleaned, and dressed his sores every day applying the ointment the monk gave him, they appeared to be healing nicely.

Athos said, "When are we getting to the farm of your parents D'Artagnan?" His friend responded, "We should get there in a couple of days. I cannot wait to see my parents, and introduce Philippe to them. I also hope to see my sister, and her husband. Thank you for coming with me, and helping Philippe and I. There are no words to express my gratitude to Raul and you Athos." Raul said, "Don't even mention it uncle, that's what family is for, and I am enjoying it. I've never taken such a long trip before." Athos looked at his son adoringly and said, "Well said my son".

After dinner, D'Artagnan laid a thick wool blanket on the grass, and helped Philippe to lay on it. Then he laid at the side of his son embracing him, and covering his child and himself with a second wool blanket. He wanted to make sure that Philippe stayed warm at night, and the best way was to share his body heat with him. In a low voice, Philippe said, "I'm enjoying the trip father, I never thought, I would take a trip like this. Thank you." His father ruffled his hair. After a few minutes Philippe said, "mmm….father do you think my grandparents will like me? I'm afraid I'm too thin and ugly." D'Artagnan told him, "They are going to love you Philippe as much as I do. Yes, you are still very thin, but that is not your fault, it's a result of the maltreatment you suffered in prison. As far as your looks, I think once you put on a little more weight, you'll be at least as handsome as your brother is. Now go to sleep, and don't worry about things like that, everyone in the family will love you." Philippe said, "I'll stop worrying, and go to sleep." The travelers continued on their way to Gascony where the D'Artagnan family lived in the village of Ausch.

At noon, the group came to a small cottage, and they found an elderly couple at the entrance. After D'Artagnan dismounted, he took Philippe in his arms, and started approaching the couple he said, "Mother! Father! His mother Francesca, rushed towards him, and embrace her son and Philippe, she said, Sieur! Is it really you? I thought I would never see you again in this world! His elderly father Alexander D'Artagnan said, Oh! Son you makes us so happy, come in with your friends. . His father's vision had deteriorated, and he was almost blind. Once in D'Artagnan put his son on a chair, he proceeded to hug his parents. Then he said, "Mother, Father I would like to introduce you to my son Philippe." His grandparents approached him, and hugged him with tears of happiness in their eyes. His grandmother told him, "Philippe I'm very happy to meet you, I thought your father would never have children. I'm glad I was wrong." His grandfather told him "You have the eyes of your grandmother and your father, I'm, glad you are here. I'm happy I can still see your face even if it is blurry" Philippe said, "a pleasure to meet you Grandfather and Grandmother." After his grandmother fussed a bit more over Philippe, D'Artagnan introduced his parents to his friend Athos and his son Raul.

After the introductions, his mother asked D'Artagnan, "Is Philippe sick? He looks pale and tired." D'Artagnan responded, "He has been very sick mother, it be nice if he could lay in bed until dinner is ready." The elderly woman immediately went to get a bed ready for Philippe, and a few minutes later D'Artagnan, and his mother were taking the layers of clothes off Philippe, as the house was pleasantly warm thanks to the fire that was burning in the heart."

Francesca said nothing, as she did not want to cause a bad impression on her grandson, but was very worried when she realized the state of the lad. He would have to ask her son later. What had happened to the boy that left him looking like a skeleton and almost too weak to walk?

Philippe joined the rest for dinner, feeling self-conscious as he was wearing a nightshirt while everyone else was nicely dressed. He wished he could have eaten in his room or on the floor away from the family, as he still felt more like a dirty gutter creature than a human being. Years of abuse, isolation, torture, hunger, and humiliation were hard to erase. But soon he forgot about all his concerns, as his grandmother kept pampering him, and refilling his bowl with gruel and pork, until he could not eat anymore for fear of getting sick.

His grandmother insisted on tucking him in bed, she could not help but see the bandages on Philippe, she asked, "What happened to you my child?" Philippe said innocently, "I have a few sores caused by the bite of a rat, but they are healing well." His grandmother covered him with a blanket, and stayed there holding his bony hand, and stroking his hair until he went to sleep. She exited the room after kissing his forehead.

After Athos and Raul retired to their room, Francesca pulled his son, and her husband outside. They sat on a bench near the well. She asked, Sieur what happened to Philippe? I've never seen someone that wasted, and he has sores on his body that he says were caused by a rat biting him. D'Artagnan knew his parents would not betray them, so he told them everything, avoiding most details of Philippe's torments, other than the obvious such as starvation, and deplorable living conditions.

Francesca wiped away some tears discreetly, and told her son, "I am glad you brought Philippe home, he needs a maternal figure to help him heal. Since his mother cannot do it, I guess it is up to me." That night the elderly woman dreamed of jails full of rats attacking the innocent prisoners, and cruel guards that refused to feed the captives. She woke up determined to show her grandson love, and to feed him well, he hated the people that left him in such state. It hurt her to see the boy sick, emaciated, and with sores on his young body, as she already loved him more than she loved herself.

That morning the family and the visitors enjoyed a breakfast that consisted of fresh baked bread, butter, fried salted pork and grapes. Francesca made sure that Philp eat as much as he could possibly eat. Then she asked D'Artagnan to take the old rocking chair out so Philippe could sit in the outdoors, and get some sun.

While Philippe was sitting with his grandmother enjoying the warmth of the sun, and good company, D'Artagnan was talking to his father about the farm. His father told him, "I am too old to work the fields. Your mother still keeps a garden, and the rest we buy with the money that you have so generously sent us." D'Artagnan said, I am thinking about staying with you as long as it is safe for Philippe. I want to buy some land and start a vineyard; something tells me the weather is perfect for that plant. If you let me, I'll plant your fields, and grow all the staples that we need. Do you still keep animals in the barn?" The elderly man said, only a cow, a horse and a few pigs. The Musketeer said, "If that is okay with you, I'll buy a few more animals so we can be self-sufficient as far as food goes."

Later the Musketeer found out that his brother in-law had died in a farming accident a couple of years before, and his sister was doing the best she could to raise 5 children on her own. The kids were between nine and sixteen years old. The oldest being a girl. D'Artagnan paid a boy to go inform his sister about his return. Francesca said, "I better fix a big dinner, I bet your sister will be here in not time, wanting to visit with you."

As predicted Giana, the sister of D'Artagnan was there about an hour before dinner with her kids. D'Artagnan and his sister embraced each other, and he swirled her around they had been very close until he left to become a musketeer. After the introductions, they proceeded to eat a meal together. Philippe was a bit shy, but felt more comfortable with his cousins as they were dressed poorly, and other than the oldest girl the rest were barefooted. His 9-year-old cousin Genevieve was particularly friendly, and sat near him to eat the pork stew and warm bread. Looking at him she said, "I'm 9, how old are you Philippe?" He replied, "I'm 15 Genevieve. Thanks for sitting here with me, and keeping me company." She answered, "Your welcome, I can see you are sick, and I remember when I was sick it was nice to have someone to keep me company."

D'Artagnan went to bed that night worried about his sister, her and her children were barely surviving, he decided he would help her plant her land, good thing she had 3 lads that could help. As he was going to sleep, he heard Philippe's voice saying, "Are you awake father?" He responded "Yes, I am do you need something?" The lad told him, "You were right all of our family is very loving, and they seem to accept me. I really enjoyed my cousins they made me laugh. I like having a family, growing up I was very lonely, and I had no one my age to talk to."

The next morning at breakfast, his grandmother asked Philippe, "Who raised you my child?" Everyone was curious as not even D'Artagnan knew, he had not had time to ask the Lad. Philippe responded, "Apparently I had a wet nurse for the first year or so. I don't remember, and then they gave me to an older couple that had decided to live as hermits. They were good to me, and treated me as a grandson. We led a simple life, and eat simple foods. Lady Peronnet, made my clothes, and cooked the food that Sir Peronnet planted in the garden. As I grew older, I helped them to plant, clean and cook. Sir Peronnet took care of my education, and taught me to read and write, also Latin, Greek, and Spanish, rudiments of English, mathematics, and sacred scripture. I never understood why I had to learn all of that since I was planning to remain a hermit. Sir Peronnet told me it might come handy someday, and was very strict with me; I could not play until I finished my studies. Lady Peronnet thought me to pray and love nature; she was starting to teach me how to cook, as she said, if I remained a hermit I would have to cook for myself. But then one night men came murdered them, and took me to prison."

At that point, Philippe had to stop, tears forming in his eyes as he remembered the gentle couple savagely murder while praying. He lowered his head trying to regain control of his emotions. He fell the hand of his father on his shoulder quietly lending his strength. He took a couple of deep breaths, and looked at his father gratefully. After a few minutes of silence, D'Artagnan asked the boy, "Do you remember what you learned as a small child after being incarcerated for 3 years?" Philippe responded, "I think I do, going through my lessons in my mind helped me to stay sane. I was by myself in my cell for the first year, but then they threw a noble man with me, which eyes were removed as punishment. I helped him to eat and get around. We occupied our time with lessons, he taught me logic, history, and we practiced Latin and Greek. He was starting to teach me philosophy before he died after a severe beating ordered by the King. My imprisonment became harsher after that, as they said I defied the King's orders by praying with him while he died. I had no idea that the king wanted him to die alone, and even if I had known, it would have been a terrible sin to let him die without praying for his salvation. I guess it was a no win situation for me."

His grandmother said, "You are a good Christian my boy, I am sure God will reward you." His grandfather said, "He is a good Christian with too much education for a farmer, what is he supposed to use that for?" The boy said, "Exactly my point grandfather, but it did give me something to do in prison." D'Artagnan said, "I don't know Philippe I think Sir Peronnet was right, it might come handy someday." D'Artagnan was pleased that at least Philippe had received an education fit for a King, he would have to find a teacher for him to continue his education, but he would tell the lad at a better time. Letting him enjoy his freedom and his family for now. He would be eternally grateful to the Peronnet's who had thought Philippe morals, and formed his heart in to that of a caring loving person.

A couple of months latter D'Artagnan had bought some land that bordered with his father's farm and that had the river running through it. That would permit for him to irrigate his land, his father's land and his sister's farm. It had a cottage on it, and Athos and Raul moved in to it. They said they would stay to help D'Artagnan through the fall. Raul and Philippe were starting to become good friends as they both enjoyed nature. Philippe could walk now, and Raul accompanied him on some of his walks to make sure he was safe. The conversation between them came easy.

Philippe had put on a good amount of weight. He was still very slender but did not look like a skeleton any longer. He still was not strong enough to help in the fields, but helped his grandmother at home, and in her garden. That morning he was drawing water out the well for her. She kept fusing over him, and said, "Philippe you are pushing yourself too hard, I can draw the water from the well." Philippe smiled at her, and said, "I am feeling much better, and I've always been slender, but you are feeding me so well that I might just become fat by winter" His grandmother said, "That will be the day, and talking about food, I have some bread, and cheese waiting for you inside." The boy said, "I'll eat, as soon as I finish getting the water you need."

That evening D'Artagnan found Philippe knitting the dough for the next day bread, he smiled, as soon as the boy felt better it was almost impossible to stop him, he was working must of the time. He had talk to him about the need to recover, and out of obedience Philippe rested for an hour after lunch, and then after dinner until bedtime. He said Sir Peronnet had thought him that idle time was the devil's time. Philippe was very different from Louis who spend most of his time in pleasurable self-centered activities.

By fall Philippe had grown a lot and was just a few inches shorter than his father, his weight was normal, and he was as strong as any other fifteen year old. The clothes of Louis fit him perfectly now, but he rather wear the simple clothes his grandma made him, other than when they went to Sunday mass. He was now strong enough to help with the harvest.

That morning Philippe woke up early to draw water for his grandmother before she woke up, or she would try to stop him. When he finished he found his father awake and fixing breakfast quietly. They took their food and eat it outside not to wake the elderly couple. Then they went to the barn, and Philippe admired the black horse his father had bought him, he had been learning how to ride for the last 2 months, and felt pretty comfortable ridding his horse. His father rode on the wagon, and tide his horse to the side of the wagon.

That day they were harvesting onions, it was hard work, as it required bending over or kneeling and digging to get the onions out. Philippe took his shoes and socks off, and joined his cousins. He was wearing his harvesting clothes, and was not scared of getting himself dusty or muddy.

D'Artagnan told Philippe, "You look exactly like Louis, but he would never even dream of getting himself dirty. I'm not sure your mother would approve of you working so hard." Philippe said, "Why not after all I'm a D'Artagnan, and Grandfather told me our family has been farming for generations. I'm not like Louis, he is the King, and I am sure his responsibilities are much greater than mine are, I pray for him each day." D'Artagnan pat him on the back, and said, "Well then, Philippe D'Artagnan destined to be the best farmer of Gascony, just like his father Seir D'Artagnan and his grandfather before him Alexander D'Artagnan." Philippe laughed and gave his father a friendly punch on the arm before continuing to dig onions. His father smiled, and made a mental note to avoid comparing Philippe with Louis other than in his head.

After eating lunch, it was time for fencing lessons for the young men. The sun was too intense to keep working. Philippe and his cousins Michelle 14, Tangy 13 and Francois 11 were learning the basics of fencing from the famous musketeers, and Raul who was pretty good himself. Raul was thinking about seeking admittance to join the musketeers that winter. The young D'Artagnan was a natural, and was advancing at a faster pace that his cousins, his father was extremely proud of him. After a couple of hours of fencing, the men and the children went back to their labor.

At the end of the working day D'Artagnan, Philippe and their friends went to clean up and then Athos and Raul joined them for dinner. Francesca outdid herself with dinner, and used many of the recently harvested ingredients in it. Athos said, my good friends, I think soon it will be time for Raul and me to head back home, I will miss you, and probably will visit in the future. Alexander D'Artagnan said, we appreciate all the help you've given our family; I hope you know that you are always welcomed here. Athos said, Thank you sir, I consider your son a brother, and I was happy to help.

D'Artagnan and Philippe spend the next couple of days composing letters to the Queen mother that Athos said he would deliver personally. D'Artagnan traveled to the closest market to sell some of the harvest, while Athos stayed to guard Philippe.

Athos and Raul left with a wagon packed with grains, onions, carrots, turnips, and new wine in a couple of barrels. It took them twice as long to get home, but they were in no rush.

At the palace, the old musketeer requested an audience with the Queen mother, which of course she agreed to. She went as far as dismissing all of her servants and her personal attendant. Once alone she offered Athos tea and asked, "Did they arrived to their destination safely?" Athos said, "They did your majesty. I was with them until a couple of weeks ago, and I am happy to report that they are doing well. The boy is looking healthy and happy. He enjoys spending times with his cousins, and helping in the fields. His grandmother pampers him as a mother would."

Then Athos gave her a couple of letters. The Queen asked surprised, "The boy knows how to write?" Athos responded, "Indeed your majesty, it appears he received a good education until going to prison, and even in prison a fellow noble prisoner continued his education. He is very bright, I would say maybe brighter than his brother." The Queen said, "Thank you Athos for your service and loyalty." Athos responded, "Is my honor, and my duty to serve my Queen."

Ann sat down to read the letters in the evening. She started with D'Artagnan letter.

To my most cherished friend:

I have missed you more than I can say. I am happy to report that our charge is doing well. He is now physically healthy, and as tall and handsome as his twin. His heart is compassionate and loving. He was raised by some hermits of noble descent, and it appears they were good to him, and gave him an excellent education. He is naturally curious and very bright; he learns everything without any conscious effort. He has become my pride and joy. I think it would be impossible for me to love him anymore than I do.

I am doing well, and I bought some land that I am using as a vineyard. I am also planting my father's, and sister's land as her husband died tragically a couple of years ago. I miss my life as a musketeer, but I cannot complain; life as a farmer and specially as father has its own rewards. I hope you understand that it is impossible to stop the boy from working side by side with me, and his cousins despite his origin. Please don't be too upset with me, this winter I promise I will find a good teacher for him to continue his studies.

Until we meet again,

Always yours.

Ann held the letter close to her heart, and deposited a kiss on it, before folding it. Then she opened her son's letter. She was surprised by his elegant handwriting, which was so similar to that of Louis. They were alike in more things that looks. She wished the four of them could be a real family.

My Dearest Aunt:

How I wish that I could live closer to you and get to know you, but maybe someday. My father is taking excellent care of me, and I am happy to report that I am feeling better that I have felt in years. I have met my grandparents, and we love each other very much. My grandmother fusses over me all the time and pampers me; if it was up to her, I would spend my life in a rocking chair eating. Don't get me wrong I think it was hard for her to see me in the condition that I arrived in, and now she only wants the best for me.

I have eight cousins, and I am getting to know them, they are a lot of fun to be around. Father is teaching us fencing, is fun to have companions to learn with. My father bought me a horse, and he says I am becoming a good rider; I take care of my horse and brush it daily. I am also learning to be a farmer. I was too weak to help planting, but I was able to help with the harvest. We have so much food that father sold some of it at the market, and also acquired some chickens. He says he got used to eating eggs when he lived in Paris. I am also learning to milk cows, and make cheese from grandmother.

After we harvest the grapes, father had us put them in big wooden barrels, and my cousins and I stepped on them to get all the juice out, and make wine, it was so much fun, by the end we were covered in the purple juice. We played by throwing the grape waste at each other. Grandmother and aunt Giana got upset with us because they said we had ruined our clothes. They were right, I'll save the clothes to wear them next year for wine making. By the way, they were not the nice clothes you gave me. I only wear does for church.

I pray for you always and hope you are in good health.

Love,

Your nephew.

Ann smiled and wished she could see her son, but it was impossible without putting him in danger. She thought it was the price she had to pay for her sin.


I appreciate the review by johnmurray2