Athos
They were riding through the autumn forest. The road was wide, and quite good. They were rapidly nearing the palace gardens.
The Queen was sitting in front of him. He had wrapped her in his cloak when he had noticed her shivering.
"Are you still cold, Your Majesty?" he asked gently.
"No…" she whispered.
He knew that she was afraid for the father of her child, but he had to focus on getting her to safety. He would worry about Aramis later.
He suddenly heard a horse galloping towards them. He cursed under his breath, and glanced behind him, prepared for a desperate ride in order to keep the Queen safe. He relaxed when he saw it was Tannard. The musketeer slowed down as he neared his lieutenant.
"Porthos sent me to fetch a medic. Aramis is badly wounded!"
The Queen gasped. Athos could feel her body stiffen against him.
"Go!" he ordered. Tannard instantly obeyed him.
"It's all my fault!" Anne's voice was so soft...so vulnerable.
"No! The bandits are to blame. Aramis is strong. He'll be fine." Athos wanted so badly to put more conviction into his voice-to be able to actually believe what he was saying.
They finally arrived at the palace. He dismounted, then helped the Queen down. Anne leaned onto his arm in order to keep the weight off her injured leg.
"I want to wait for my husband. I'm worried about his safety," she told him, a somber look on her face. He knew that she really wanted to wait for Aramis, but he made no comment. He was somewhat surprised when she requested that he stay with her.
They sat in the corner of the big hall near the fireplace. That spot allowed them a bit of privacy without raising the suspicions of curious onlookers.
"What happened to him?" she asked quietly. He saw the anguish in her eyes, and tried to think of a response.
"Your Majesty… it's not my story to tell. But I beg you not to question Aramis."
Her eyes glistened with tears. "He told me they had broken him…"
He shook his head. It was not true! Every image he had seen-every sound he had heard-was seared into his memory. The last thing he would say was that Aramis had been broken.
A broken man would not have been able to perform surgery on his protégé.
A broken man would not have been able to help them escape.
A broken man would have died in the river.
"No. He merely did what they wanted in order to save d'Artagnan…"
"What did they want from him?"
"I cannot tell you, Your Majesty."
Her chin lifted. "And if I order you to tell me?"
"Then you will have to punish me for disobedience."
"Why?!" she burst out, barely able to contain the emotion in her trembling voice. "Why do you want to hide the truth from me?!"
Athos' eyes met the Queen's gaze. He hesitated only for an instant.
"Do you really want the truth, Your Majesty?" he asked, his voice husky.
"Yes!"
He knew what he had to say. He hated the thought of doing it, but he had to do it for Anne's sake. For Aramis' sake. For their child. Nonetheless, it was cruel.
"The man you knew died there. I… saw it happen. You must let him go, Your Majesty. Please, treat him as you would any musketeer…"
"You didn't say that to Constance!" Her voice was full of pain.
"No, I didn't. While I do not approve of my protégé's dalliance with a married woman, Madame Bonacieux risks only her reputation. If she finds that risk acceptable…" His voice trailed off. He could see that Anne understood what was left unsaid.
"I cannot bear to see him in such pain…"
"Your Majesty, you cannot nurse him back to health. I promise you that we will do our best to help him."
And it may not be enough.
"Let him go," he repeated, his voice firm, but kind. "It will be better for everyone if you do."
She wanted to respond, but at that moment, he heard the clatter of horses in the courtyard. He hastily excused himself, and ran outside. His heart sank when he saw Aramis lying in Porthos' arms. In the bright light of the pale winter sun, his friend seemed to be covered in blood. However, Porthos appeared calm, not despondent or terrified. When his gaze met Athos', he smiled. The lieutenant closed his eyes in relief.
"If my services are not needed here, I will see to the Queen," said the doctor, glancing at Porthos. "But if you change your mind, my friend, just come and fetch me."
"Thank you, doctor." The dark skinned musketeer smiled. "If I need your help, I'll just knock him out and call for you. I apologize for summoning you so urgently."
Aramis opened his eyes, and drowsily looked around.
"The Queen?" he asked, his voice betraying his anxiety.
"The physician will take care of her leg," murmured Athos. He made sure that the marksman understood the message that was implicit in his gaze.
"May I leave then?" he asked, his face betraying his fatigue. His leader knew that Porthos was the only thing keeping Aramis on his feet.
"Go. I'll join you shortly."
He watched his friends leave. He needed to talk to Aramis. However, he knew that Porthos was unlikely to leave the marksman's side anytime soon. He was not sure if the big man knew that Aramis had committed treason by sleeping with the Queen. He hoped that he did not. That would make one less person for the gallows.
He checked on d'Artagnan. The boy was busy in the stables, combing Nuit's mane.
"When you're ready, come up and to eat something," he ordered. D'Artagnan nodded.
Athos sighed, and returned to the Palace.
When he first saw her, he was sure he was dreaming. She was dressed in an exquisite ivory gown, and was so ethereally beautiful. So perfect.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"A woman cannot refuse her King when he requests her presence," she answered, clearly amused by his bewilderment.
His eyes narrowed. "I thought I told you I'd kill you if you ever came back to Paris."
"Technically, we are not in Paris." She gave him a triumphant smile.
Athos just could not accept the fact that another man was making love to his former wife. Even if it was the King. No, especially if it was the King!
She was so beautiful. He missed her so much, and yet he hated her so fiercely. He so desperately needed to ask her one question. But how would he ever know if she was telling him the truth?
Thank you Riversidewren!
