Title: Purification in Purgatory
By: Tidia
See part 1 for disclaimers
Notes: Getting to the action part. Thank you again the reviews, followers, readers and favorites. Enjoying using my Catholic knowledge- of course in the 1600 Mass was in Latin, but I am trying to work this.
Part 3
"My husband has been delayed and request that we start without him. He wanted to check on the soldiers at the gate. It is his custom." The Baroness gave a nod to the help that was in attendance.
Both d'Artagnan and Aramis stood when she entered the room, then sat once she was seated. When they were among the royals, they were doing their job and were standing. It was rare to sit down to a meal with royalty, however obscure.
Petronilla bowed her head, made the sign of the cross to bless herself as did the musketeers. "Dear Jesus protect us all."
"Your husband is most diligent," Aramis said as he was served compote of vegetables.
The Baroness smiled. "My husband told me that you, Aramis are a bit of a romantic."
"Was it a warning?" Aramis replied. He found discussions, especially with women, stimulating.
"Not to me. My heart belongs to my husband. I know to men he is envied because of his strength with a sword, but for me it strength of character." She blushed, placing a hand on her cheek. "My words do not do him justice."
"He speaks highly of you, Baroness. Truly it is an uncommon marriage." He drank some of his wine. This was love and it was rare. Yet, the Queen had a piece of him, but he did not know if it was love like this between the baron and baroness.
"Uncommon? No, I think not." She shook her head, then she seemed to understand. "We are speaking of faithfulness?" She laughed. "We are not in Paris."
D'Artagnan remained silent, his eyes going between the baroness and Aramis in a silent plea to move onto a different conversation.
"We are French though." Aramis believed that explained so much- they had a deep capacity for love and passion as a national characteristic.
"We are Catholic." She gestured to the Queen's rosary beads that Aramis was wearing. "Sin cannot be undone."
D'Artagnan kept his head bowed. At this point he knew that no matter how much his eyes beseeched his friend that the baroness was not going let the conversation end a timely death.
"It can be forgiven." Aramis believed all could be forgiven; all could be saved and repent even on their death bed. The problem was he did not know if he wanted his act with the queen forgiven, or if it needed to be.
This gave the baroness pause. "True, but why go down the wrong path?" She took a sip of her wine. "When I appear before God, I cannot say that virtue was an inconvenience."
"Women do have their reasons," Aramis was thinking about the Queen. She wanted to be loved and needed to produce an heir.
"Loveless marriages are difficult to bear as are childless ones. It is difficult when one is ordered to marry." Petronilla nodded as if reading Aramis's mind. "But perhaps you are a temptation, looking at women that are in their husbands' beds?"
Aramis laughed. It was true- he should remain faithful to the widows. "Have I been scolded or informed?"
"Neither. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble."
"Both informed and scolded with the Proverbs." Aramis gave a slight bow with his head. "Bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things," he quoted Corinthians.
d'Artagnan shifted in his chair. He was Catholic, had received his sacraments and gone to church, but as a son of a gentleman farmer there was no use to memorize chapters of the Bible. He knew the parts that were most applicable to life.
Aramis glanced to his travel companion, realizing the level of discomfort he had caused. "d'Artagnan has sworn off love. A woman who was not available," he said sotto voce.
"I am sorry, Sir. We will cease this conversation after I beg forgiveness and apologize. I forget myself, and the gratitude I have that I am married to Davide."
D'Artagnan cleared his throat. "There is no need to apologize. My father told me that Christ is filled with Divine Mercy. All is forgiven." He focused on his plate as Aramis smiled at the words. He wanted to leave the flowery talk to the sharpshooter.
Alexandre d'Artagnan was truly a gentleman who passed on sword skills and religious education on to his son that would serve him in the future.
"Peace. My apologies regardless and thanks for the reminder of God's mercy to all."
The baron entered, stopping by his wife, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Wife, why are you giving apologies to our guests?"
"She is reminding me that there are true women left in the world," Aramis stated. They needed the reminder that there were faithful women and men who remained true to their vows of marriage.
Davide laughed. "She has given both of you a course to follow I imagine."
"Has she done the same for you? My last visit here was not filled with pursuits of piety." Aramis spoke familiar with the baron as they had shared much over wine in the past.
"Curiosity to see where God will appear, compassion for those who suffer and joy for knowing there is life after this one. Is that not right, Petronilla?" The baron lifted his glass to his wife. Aramis and d'Artagnan joined the toast.
"Enough of piety as I am not a priest and my wife not a nun." His food was brought to him and he spooned into the first course.
"Aramis has spoken of your travels; I wish to hear more about them." d'Artagnan asked, finally feeling that he could participate in the conversation.
((()))
d'Artagnan was waiting for Aramis in the stable the next morning. Davide had kept them up long after the baroness had retired. It was a good evening.
"The kitchen has provided us with food. I would rather a walk. I don't know about you, but I do not wish to be on a horse for some time. "There was a secluded beach a little away from the manor house, a perfect place for rest and relaxation.
d'Artagnan agreed, and they had a leisurely walk as they ate apples given to them by the kitchen staff. They didn't head to the beach, instead staying on the bluff, taking shade under a tree, removing their swords and muskets. "It is beautiful."
Aramis did not open his eyes, too comfortable to do so. "A balm for the soul, like your father's words. I want to thank you for sharing them." He needed the reminder.
"It was better than some of his other words of wisdom." He smiled. At some point d'Artagnan mentioned he was going to make his way down to the beach. Aramis waved him on, enjoying the breeze and napping. He liked to be active, but he could take a few moments of relaxation, especially after a long ride with another long ride to return to Paris in their future.
"Aramis!" d'Artagnan called out, out of breath. "The English are attacking." d'Artagnan grabbed his sword and musket before Aramis had fully awakened.
"Show me." In a fluid movement, Aramis stood, securing his sword to his belt as they walked then crouched to the edge. "Damn them." They had come in on small ships, they looked to be a squad of sixty, but it was enough to be overwhelming to the Baron's forces.
As they backed away on their bellies some rocks trickled down, it was enough to catch the attention below. They heard a rallying cry.
"I wish we had the horses," d'Artagnan said as they began their run to the manor house to provide a warning. They were out of breath, but told the guards to close the gates.
"Back so soon? What has happened?" The Baron came down the stairs.
"English soldiers making their way up from the beach." d'Artagnan said, bent over to catch his breath.
"They want to take the Chateau as a launching point." The Baron slapped his hand against his leg. "Send out the call to the village!" He ordered.
Aramis agreed with the Baron's assessment. "You'll need help. I will stay and help you protect the castle. d'Artagnan will get reinforcements."
"We have stores and weapons, enough to put up a fight. We will be able to hold a siege." The Baron grabbed a stable hand. "Give d'Artagnan the best horse we have and supplies for his journey."
Aramis and d'Artagnan walked to the stable. "We can hold, but the King needs to know, and we need soldiers to send them back."
"I understand. I will be back with help as soon as possible."
Aramis enveloped the young man in a hug. "I am thinking that this is not what Porthos had in mind."
"Or he would have enjoyed the added excitement," d'Artagnan replied as he took the horse that the stable hand had prepared for him. "Keep safe."