Disclaimer: I don't own the wonderful Musketeers, unfortunately bbc and Alexander Dumas do!
The five black horses galloped into the circular drive of the palace gates, there riders dismounting with obvious ease. Tying their steeds with a loose knot in the guards stables they turned and headed towards the main doors. Passing under the wide white doorway, an impressive feature itself, they entered the beauty of the Louvre Palace.
It was an impressive sight, the four of the Musketeers and their Captain, stalking out the corridors of the palace. A small smile was brought to Athos face when he saw a young servant boy quickly duck behind a pillar to avoid crossing paths with them. He quickly reorganized his face back into a steely one before it were noted.
Passing through two large marble columns the Musketeers saw that almost all of the courts Lords and Ladies had gathered to watch the King giving audience. It was a beautiful sea of colours, from red and gold to blue and green.
The five men took their usual positions towards the back of the room, a good vantage point to view the entire space. Athos saw, to his distaste, that Milady was present. She is like a filthy parasite, sucking off anything that can offer her money he thought. A moment of insanity was what he liked to say refer to that period of his life, the period he was married to the witch of a woman, not that he often mentioned it. He felt that, the less people could understand him, the more unwilling they would be to try and enter his high walls he had built around his heart. The three men beside him were the exception, though they didn't feel like it, they were the closest people to him. His brothers in arms. He would take a bullet for them, hell, he would sacrifice his honor for and live in exile for them. He touched the leather badge of brotherhood on his shoulder, comforted by its familiar rough edges.
With that very thought the doors swung back with a bang, and entered his King.
Aramis's eyes shot up at the sound of the doors opening his eyes immediately drawn to Anne. The Queen, she is your Queen not your Anne thought Aramis. A mistake like that said outloud could get them killed. It wasn't something he took lightly, putting the woman he loved in such a compromising position. Yet there affair was not lust, he should know for the amount of lust filled affairs he had been involved in. What he and the Queen had was unimaginably intimate. Soft touches, sweet kisses, it wasn't all love making. Yet was all that really worth endangerment of her life?
He snapped out of his thoughts as the crowd around him began to bow. Hat to his chest he dipped down into a respectful bow before rising again. As the rest of the royal party walked in their monarchs wake, he saw the Dauphin and his Governess pass by. A quick glimpse of his child was all he got, yet he saw those beautiful blue eyes and perfect little hands captivated him for that single moment. Not letting his eyes give himself away he turned back to his Musketeers, elbowing D'Artagnan to drag his attention away from Constance.
"The King and Queen should circle the room once, speaking with noble families and such. Don't let your attention drift off of them for one second, but get comfortable, I have a feeling we'll be here a long time" ordered Captain Treville. Porthos groaned as the rest of the Musketeers settled against the wall to watch the King and Queen audience members of France's nobility.
It was slow and boring work for the Musketeers and despite Captain's words of wisdom Aramis noted that Athos and Porthos had devised a game amongst themselves of spotting the most beautiful woman at court. He smiled as he spotted the clear winner, yet not announcing his due to the impropriety of calling his Queen beautiful.
At least the captain had given him a perfect excuse to study her without drawing suspicion. He watched the way a smile graced her face with every new person she saw, yet knew from experience it wasn't a real smile, those were absolutely dazzling. It was comforting to know that there were some things only he noticed about her, it was like some new level of intimacy. Realising she was now looking straight at him he lifted his hat slightly, as big a greeting as he dared with this many people surrounding them. Smiling slightly she turned back to the Duke she was talking too.
Hearing Athos's groan Aramis looked across the room to see the source of the problem. Milady was stalking her way across to the King, a demure smile on her face not hiding her true intention of transferring the Monarch's attention onto her. Yet apparently his Highness was blind to Milady's deceiving ways for he seemed overjoyed to see her walking towards him in the daringly low cut dress she was wearing that gave apple view of her cleavage. Simply ignoring the Queen and Duke that he was previously engaged with he turned to welcome Milady. The raw hurt on Anne's face felt like a physical punch in the stomach to Aramis, and no matter how quickly she had managed to cover it up Aramis could still feel how rejected she felt from 10 meters away. He must be completely blind to turn away his beautiful wife for someone of the likes of Milady, thought Aramis, not that he was complaining, the less time the King spent in Anne's bed, the more Aramis did. The King's words broke through the idle chatter of court, all whom paused to hear the King speak to his mistress.
"Milady de Winter must you always look so simply…. Ravishing!" The King attempted to say at a husky pitch.
"I must if it pleases your desires sire" Milady stage whispered with a wink. Aramis almost gagged.
"It would be quite the court scandal if I were to take you here… now" the King answered, oblivious to his wife's discomfort.
"And how exactly would you-" Milady was interrupted by the clattering of one of the Queens rings, which couldn't of happened sooner as Athos looked fit to burst. Constance bent to pick it up and give it to the Queen as her Majesty quickly apologized.
"My apologies Sire, how incredibly clumsy of me"
"What an opportune moment of clumsiness, Anne" said the King with clear acidity in his voice. The room fell completely silent, one could hear a pin drop. Aramis shifted slightly, feeling the situation slipping down hill. Milady flashed a triumphant smile at creating such a situation. It made Aramis's blood boil to know that the Queen was being put in such a position for one women's sick games.
"Please Sire, it was an accident" Anne murmured, a clear tremor in her voice
The King walked back over to his wife and grabbed her arm in a tight lock. "Listen to me. There is nothing that can prevent me from bedding the beautiful Milady de Winter. Accidental or otherwise. So let's not be childish Anne, let someone else have the fun of being with the King hm?" And with that he let Anne go and left the audience room, with Milady in his wake.
The room burst into gossiping chatter, clearly all about the intense scene they just witnessed. The poor Queen, facing such public humiliation thought Aramis. "Porthos, Athos and I will follow the King, D'Artagnan and Aramis remain here, understood?" snapped Treville.
Following the Captain, Porthos and Athos left through the west wing door, the Queen meanwhile making an exit for the East.
"I'll watch the Queen, you remain here?" Asked Aramis, yet not waiting to hear D'Artagnan's reply he was already heading for the East exit, hurrying after the Queen.
He broke into a fast walk as he watched her blue skirt, that he had previously thought looked so beautiful with her soft hair, disappear around a corner. Coming round the corner just in time to see the door of the library slam shut he quickly knocked on that very door before entering, not waiting for an answer, feeling that once one had slept with the Queen, protocol didn't hold much weight anymore.
"Your Majesty-" he started but then stopped seeing her crying on the floor in a heap.
Making sure the door was locked, he started walking more slowly than previously; he reached her and sat down beside her, tentatively putting an arm around her.
"Hushhh, hushhh, it will all be alright soon. The Kings moods fluctuate, his rage was not truly meant for you my A-Majesty" comforted Aramis
"No one is here Aramis... please I beg you, call me Anne. The- the way you say it, so full of love-" She managed to get out before another wave of sobs rocked through her.
"Anything for you, Anne" he said with a kiss on the top of her head. How could the King live with making such a beautiful woman into this sobbing wreck? It broke almost every rule of honor. The rules he vowed to try and live his life to.
They sat in silence, each comforted by the sound of the others breathing. Knowing he had to break the silence he carefully asked "Your arm, does it hurt?" trying to cover the angry tones of his voice with more caring ones.
Wincing she pulled her arm up onto her lap. A red hand shaped indent had formed on her smooth forearm. "It barely hurts Aramis, really, nothing that a long sleeved dress can't hide"
Letting her believe that he thought she was telling the truth about the pain he moved on "And your pride?"
Tears welled up in her eyes again. "It is nothing Aramis, he is my husband, my King, he may treat me as he please and may… bed whomever he pleases."
Aramis's heart shattered as he beheld the woman sitting in front of him. Yet the situation was helpless because Anne was right, he was the one man in Paris who could do whatever he wanted and get away with it. "If I were him I would thank the Lord every night for being blessed with such a beautiful woman. His… affairs are not a direct reflection on you, forgive me for insulting the King in such a way, more a reflection of his own stupidity. You are like looking upon an angel Anne. Milady has nothing of your poise, beauty or bravery" Seeing an opportunity to make her blush more than already he added "And I know you are unbelievable in bed" winked Aramis.
Anne's' laugh filled the room with much needed happiness. Aramis smiled at her, taking in her slightly red eyes contrasting with her flushed cheeks.
"I should be getting back" Murmured the Queen. "The whole of court will be gossiping about me whether I'm there or not" Smiling sadly she moved her hands to stand. Quickly jumping up he honorably offered his hand to help her stand. When she was on her feet, he not so honorably pulled her towards him. Looking deep into her eyes he let her decide whether to come closer or move away. She already had one man forcing himself on her, he would never be a man to make it two. Smiling she tilted her head up to his. It took all of Aramis's self restraint not to move downward of his own accord. He felt her slim fingers wrapping in his thick hair, pulling his lips down to hers. He sighed into the kiss that was slow and soft, as if they were both treasuring every second.
Aramis was the one to break away. "As much as I would like to continue my love, I can't risk the chance of us being discovered here. After all, I don't believe kissing you was part of my Musketeer duties" He finished with a charming wink.
Laughing Anne looked up to Aramis. "If only it were different Aramis"
With that she turned and left the room. She didn't look back.
D'Artagnan looked up as the Queen re-entered the room, closely followed by Aramis. The court dropped into a collection of curtseys and bows as she strode through the crowd towards the Dauphin. "Please continue" smiled the Queen before turning back to talk to the Governess. Seeing that Aramis was now watching the Queen and Dauphin he walked around the edge of the room to the west side, where Constance was standing. She looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps, but relaxed into a smile when she saw D'Artagnan.
"Shouldn't you be focused on the Queen?" teased Constance
"Well it is hard when there are much more beautiful, intriguing women in the room" Whispered D'Artagnan.
Blushing Constance said "Yes I did hear that Duchess of Brittany was quite the catch" Nodding towards a haggard looking spinster in the corner.
"Ah yes the Duchess of Brittany. Don't tell Aramis for I fear he will be quite jealous"
"Jealous of what my friend?" Interrupted the man himself
Laughing Constance and D'Artagnan just looked at each other. Aramis, realising they weren't going to tell him started laughing too.
"I hate to break up this great show of duty to the King and Queen by laughing on watch" Captain Treville reprimanded "But our guard shift is complete, we are heading back to the Garrison". With that Treville tipped his head to Constance and walked back over to Athos and Porthos, who were laughing at there brothers being reprimanded. Tipping his hat to Constance Aramis followed his Captain.
"Until our next rendezvous Madam" D'Artagnan huskily whispered, before turning to follow the other Musketeers.
Arriving back at the Garrison, Athos immediately headed out to the market, knowing his stash of wine was running low, again. Pulling his hat down to protect his eyes from the bright sun, he reached the edge of the central market.
He looked around checking for trouble, a habit from being a Musketeer. Satisfied that it was just another busy afternoon he headed towards his regular seller for alcohol. He and the seller had an… agreement. A little extra money from Athos's end brought the seller's silence for exactly how large an amount Athos brought. As he turned down the row of stalls his seller was located on, he felt a slight tugging on his belt. Spinning on his heel he turned just in time to see the boy dash off into the busy streets.
"HEY" Shouted Athos, before he too broke into a run after the thief, his shout parting the crowds.
Chasing through the streets of Paris, the Urchin had the advantage on knowledge of the streets, yet Athos was faster and more agile thanks to a lifetime of sword practice.
The streets got less and less busy the further they ran from the market. As Athos turned the corner onto an unfamiliar street he saw the boy on the floor on the cobbles, having tripped. Just as he got back to his feet again he grabbed the boy by the neck. Turning him to face him he noted he could be no older than 16, he had no facial hair to speak off and his cheeks had yet to lose the child-like look.
"You dare to steal from a Musketeer?" growled Athos, snatching the money bag from behind the boys back.
"You think just because your a Musketeer I give you special treatment?" Spat the boy in equal ferocity.
"Yes, I do expect that, boy" Athos replied, his anger boiling. Remember, he does this because he has no choice thought Athos, trying to pacify himself.
"Don't call me boy" muttered the Urchin
"You know, the crime for stealing is the loss of your hand" reprimanded Athos
"You think I give a damn about your laws? If I did, I wouldn't be stealin" The boy tried to keep up the fierce front, yet Athos could see the thought of losing his hand put the fear of God in him.
"You should give a damn when talking to me, I uphold-" Athos had expected the boy would try and make a run for it and grabbed him around the waist and shoved him against the wall, pinned by his neck.
"It's a shame you ran, I was going to show you mercy, yet I don't have a lot of mercy for cowards." growled Athos. The boy, struggling to breath, didn't shy away from Athos's angry stare, he met it with equal anger.
"I have nothing to be ashamed of, I do what I have to to survive in this hell." Spat the boy "The hell the King ignores" he goaded.
Punching the boy straight in the stomach he hissed "Oh you have nerve, insulting the King of France"
He let the boy drop to the floor. Athos watched as he coughed, clutching his stomach. The Musketeer felt little guilt for the pain the boy was in; it was nothing like the pain of losing one's hand.
After a minute, both their breathing had returned to normal and the boy stood up to look the Musketeer in the eye. Athos looked him over, taking note of his physical features. Medium to tall height, practically skin and bones, he was clearly slumming it. A small wave of pity came over Athos, yet it had passed by the time he met his eyes again. Green like a forest they held a lot of fire in them. Nudging up the boys well worn hat he saw that he had tanned skin, a clear sign of spending the day in the sun. The boy tensed when Athos's hand touched the hat, and Athos noted it was the first time he had shown actual fear. The boy's hand reached to pull the hat back down but Athos stopped him.
"What you hiding?" murmured Athos, curiosity slipping into his voice.
With a quick flip of his hand the hat went flying. And a wave of thick blonde hair tumbled out.
Hi guys! I would just like to say thanks so much to the people who followed/favorited, it absolutely made my day! Also, a special thanks to the three reviewers, Margret15, dg101 and Yuriko, your reviews were amazing and made me smile whenever I read them! Hope you guys liked this chapter, apologies for mistakes!