Chapter 2

A knock at the door the following morning brought Marie out of her sleep. She frowned slightly, glancing down at the sleeping form of her husband. To her relief, the noise hadn't disturbed his much needed rest. She planted a gentle kiss on Aramis's head before getting up and pulling her gown on as she headed to the door. She was surprised to find her brother on the other side.

"Morning. I am sorry, did I wake you?" Athos asked, sending her an apologetic smile.

"You did, but it's fine. I'm just pleased to see you. Come in," she replied, stepping back and letting him in and following him into the kitchen.

"If you have come to see Aramis, he is still asleep," Marie informed him. Athos placed his hat on a chair and leant against the wall.

"It's you I came to see actually. I was wondering if you fancied going for a ride? It's been many years since we have done it, and it would be nice to spend some time with you," Athos said. Marie looked at her brother, frowning. She knew there was something else and she guessed he needed to talk.

"I would love to," she agreed, smiling at him. Athos returned the smile.

"Good, I will saddle up your mare while you get dressed. I shall meet you outside," he told her, placing his hat back on his head and leaving her in private. She headed back into her bedroom to find Aramis looking sleepily at her.

"Who was that?" he asked.

"It was Athos. I'm going for a ride with him. I don't know how long we will be, I think he needs to talk. You get some more sleep," Marie replied, leaning in and kissing him gently on the lips.

"Just be careful my darling," he murmured, eyes already shutting again.

"Athos will be with me. I'll be fine. Don't you worry, just get some rest," she said reassuringly. Aramis hummed in response before falling silent, asleep again in moments. Marie just smiled at him as she got changed and headed out to meet her brother.

They rode for a while in a comfortable silence. Marie kept glancing at her brother; he seemed deep in thought and she sighed, wanting to know what was plaguing his thoughts.

"So...when are you going to tell me what's on your mind?" she inquired finally, breaking the silence. Athos looked up at her, smiling slightly.

"There is nothing on my mind. How are you? Are you still happy with my dear friend?" Athos asked in attempt to change the subject. The look on his sister's face told him he hadn't succeeded.

"Really? You're avoiding the subject by asking me if I am still happy with Aramis? Pathetic attempt," she replied, smirking at the look of defeat on his face.

"But purely to humor you, I couldn't be happier," she added. "Now tell me what's going on!"

"You know, you should really get yourself a groom to tend to the horses," Athos tried again to deter the interview, knowing this was a touchy subject for his sister. Marie shot him a look.

"I don't want a groom. We only have two, occasionally three if Aramis doesn't stable his stallion at the garrison. I can manage. Besides, just like you servants make me uncomfortable. We don't live that life anymore, Athos. We gave it up a long time ago. I'm a soldier's wife now... with the blessing of a bit of luxury," she replied.

Athos just nodded in understanding. When he looked back up he saw his sister watching him expectantly. He sighed deeply; she wasn't going to give up.

"I feel guilty for D'Artagnan's injuries; in fact, for all of our injuries. And the fact that I let the captain down for not getting anything on Rochefort!" he finally confessed.

"There, that wasn't so difficult, was it?" Marie asked gently. Athos didn't reply.

"And as for the injuries, you're all okay. The amount of times I hear of you crossing bandits... D'Artagnan will be fine after a few days leave," she assured him.

"We could have all got more than two days leave if we had actually succeeded in what we were meant to. I am certain it's Rochefort who is plotting against the king. And the frustrating thing is he's due in Paris next week," Athos told her. Marie saw the anger on his face at his failure.

"For how long?" she asked. Athos shrugged.

"I don't know, he always stays a while, attends court, and behaves as honorably as any man in his position would towards the king. We just need a way to get on the inside," he replied, the last bit addressed more to himself than his sister. He frowned, looking up and noticing his sister had pulled her horse to a stop.

"Marie, are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

"Get me into court and introduced to him," she said. Athos looked at her for a few moments before realization kicked in.

"No. Not a chance. You are not getting involved in this!" he said with an air of finality, pushing his horse back into a walk. Marie was by his side in seconds.

"Why not? I can get close. It's a good idea," she pushed.

"Because you haven't played the noble blood card for a long time, Marie," Athos said.

"And Aramis would kill me if I even considered putting your life at risk again," he added, admitting to himself he was more afraid of his friend's wrath than anything else. Aramis was a force to be reckoned with, especially when it came to Marie.

"I spent twenty years of my life living amongst the high society. I hardly think I am going to forget all that in six years. It's still in me, Athos, as it is in you," she pointed out. Athos sighed in defeat. It was a good idea, he couldn't deny her that.

"I will speak with Treville tomorrow. For now don't mention this to anyone else, least of all Aramis," he begged her.

"You have my word," she agreed. He nodded, before his face broke into a smile as he looked her over.

"You know, a young woman at court would not be seen on a horse unless she was riding side saddle," he smirked. watching her face fall.

"There are going to be a lot of things I will hate. Riding side saddle again is one of them, and the dresses… ugh, the dresses, I can't wait to feel like my lungs are being squashed all day," she complained. Athos laughed at his sister's face.

"So can we enjoy this while I still can?" Marie asked, waving a hand across the open land.

"Of course. Race you," Athos shouted, spurring his horse into a gallop.

"Hey wait! You are such a cheat, brother!" Marie growled as she followed close behind.