Dismounting from his horse, he saw figure sitting at the table.
Making his way over, he expected to find Aramis. He hadn't expected to find a woman.
Frozen where he was standing, he heard a voice behind him.
"Athos? Why are you just standing there?" Athos could hear the footsteps along with Aramis' voice, "Let us sit and drink. It's been far too long a day,"
Athos' raised hand soon stopped Aramis in his tracks, "It appears we won't be alone,"
Aramis looked at Athos with confusing before following his gaze to the table, "Ah, I see,"
Juliette was oblivious to the exchange happening behind her.
Patting Athos on the shoulder, as if to say don't be afraid, Aramis moved towards her.
He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, the action bringing about a rather unusual reaction for a woman.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Juliette exclaimed as she gripped and twisted Aramis' wrist in defence.
Standing up and letting go, she spoke again, "Don't touch me,"
"Juliette!" came Mathieu's exasperated voice.
"I'm so sorry misuser!" he said as he reached them, and looked at Aramis.
Before Aramis could speak, Mathieu turned his attention to Juliette, taking a hold of both her arms, "What do you think you were doing?"
"He put his hands on me first," came her defence.
"He's a King's Musketeer," Mathieu responded in disbelief.
"He started it. He shouldn't have touched me," her stubborn nature evident in her tone.
Athos and Aramis were both silent as they watched the two in front of them. Aramis looked slightly proud and amused. Athos was surprised, not that you would be able to tell by looking at him.
Unbeknownst to the men, the commotion had brought Captain Treville out of his office. He leant against the railing, and watched.
"You know better Juliette," Mathieu sounding exasperated once again.
He turned to face the two elder men, "I'm so sorry. My sister seems to have forgotten about manners and etiquette. I hope she didn't cause you any trouble,"
"It's fine. She's a strong woman," Aramis' amusement evident in his voice.
Athos remained silent. Juliette was glaring at him.
"What?" her tone defiant, "Never seen a woman defend herself before?"
"Juliette! Manners!" Mathieu's tone telling the men he had now given up.
Athos continued to say nothing, his lip had slightly upturned.
Aramis looked between Juliette and Athos, and laughed, "He's not much of a talker, but that earned you a smile"
"I wish Juliette was like that sometimes," Mathieu sitting down as he attempted to joke.
"You do not Mathieu," Juliette breaking eye contact with Athos and turning to face her brother, "So, you in?"
Mathieu's silence told her what she needed to know, "Why not? You just as good, and you have the documentation. What possible reason could there be to not take you?"
Her outburst was met with more silence.
Huffing, she turned, spotting the Captain on his balcony, and made her way up to meet him. The look in her eye indicating trouble to Athos.
Putting his arm out, he grabbed her wrist and stopped her. No words were spoken, just looks were shared.
'Don't' Athos shooting her a warning glare.
'Let me go. It's none of your business' Juliette defiantly glared back,
'Don't'
'He's my brother'
'Don't embarrass him then'
'Don't tell me what to'
Aramis chuckled at the confused and surprised look on Mathieu's face as they watched the silent exchange.
"It seems as though Athos as met someone who can finally understand him, even when he uses no words," Aramis nudged Mathieu out of his stupor as he spoke, "I didn't think it was possible,"
"Just when I thought I knew everything there was about her," came Mathieu's reply, his tone sounding lighter now.
No sooner had their silent exchange began, it ended with either Juliette breaking free of Athos' grasp, or Athos letting go.
It resulted in Juliette accomplishing her goal of joining Treville on the balcony.
"What gives you the right to judge?" she spoke pointing her finger at him
"I'm the Captain of the King's Musketeers. That gives me all the rights I need," Treville's tone serious but his eyes light.
"Mathieu is one of the most loyal, trustworthy, honourable and able-bodied men you'll ever meet, let alone have working for you. Is that not what you look for in a Musketeer?" her tone still accusatory, her finger now prodding him in the chest.
"Yes," Treville pushing away her hand, "It is,"
"Then why not choose him?"
"Juliette! Stop!" Mathieu speaking before Treville could, "That's enough. It wasn't his call,"
Turning sharply to look at her brother, Juliette's face fell in realisation of what his words meant.
Stepping forward, Mathieu threw Treville a look of apology, Treville shaking his head as 'not needed' in return.
"Juliette," Mathieu's voice now soft as he forced his sister to look him in the eye.
"You walked away?" she sounded hesitant now, "Why?"
Mathieu just continued to look at her, waiting for her to say the words he knew she was thinking.
"Me?" she sighed as she asked.
"Yes," came the reply she was expecting.
"Why?" she looked defeated.
"Because we're all we have," he was quiet as he spoke, leaving Treville feeling like he was intruding.
"But you've wanted this your entire life. It's all you've ever talked about. You want this," her tone slowly becoming headstrong again.
"We're family Juliette. Nothing comes before that," Mathieu bringing Juliette in close for a hug, "We're family,"
Those words grabbed Treville's attention. Family. Wasn't that what being a Musketeer was all about?
"Athos, Aramis," Treville talking to the men that no one had noticed arriving, "Find a bed, bring it to the room closest to the stables,"
Treville then turned his attention to the brother/sister duo, "Mathieu, welcome to the Musketeer Regiment,"
"Thank you, sir," Mathieu stuttered.
He was about to ask about Juliette, when Treville answered for him, "Juliette can stay with you in your room. She's not to distract the men, she's not to get in the way. She's your responsibility. See to it she behaves, or your both out. Understood?"
The nods he got in return from both was all he needed.
Treville smiled at them as he made his way inside his office. He had made it as far as the doorway when he felt arms wrap around him.
"Thank you" came the muffled voice of Juliette.
"Juliette!" Mathieu's voice rang through as Treville patted her arm, and she let go.
No one saw the silent chuckle Treville gave as he walked inside.
