Chapter III
A/N: Italics is a flashback and in first person from Marie's POV
In the third week of her hiding, she realised that she was actually happy to be with Athos. They got along a lot better than they usually did. He was also drinking a lot less than he usually did. But they did argue when she went out without him. But she felt like she was being watched. One day, she would turn around and find one of the musketeers following her. Usually Aramis or the young d'Artagnan. She didn't mind.
"How do you know Aramis?" Athos asked her curiously one evening as they sat down for food.
She looked up from her food. "We were briefly lovers."
He raised an eyebrow and reached for his bottle of wine. "It's more than that."
Marie gave a small sigh and sat back on her chair. "It isn't nothing more than that." She reached for her own wine. "I loved him. I thought he loved me back but it was nothing. He broke my heart but he came back to me. Told me why he left me. My husband knew about our affair but he did not want to divorce me." She sat there and began her tale, while Athos listened carefully.
-III-
It had been barely a year into my marriage to Charles, when I met Aramis. It was a marriage of convenience but Charles and I grew to like each other. He taught me politics and gave me freedom that I never enjoyed with my mother and father. I have so much to thank him for but I never. I abused his kindness and intelligence for my own ends. He may have introduced me to politics but he could never understand the love I had for the excitement of it. I met Aramis, he was assigned by my husband to protect me while he was away on business, which was a lot of the time.
Aramis is a little older than me but that was the excitement of it. He was new and exciting and too old. My husband was 22 years older than me. It didn't feel right at first but being with Aramis made me realise that I did not have to be stuck in a marriage to this older man, who was having affairs also. Aramis was my first lover in my first marriage. Truth be told, he was my only lover during that marriage.
I fell madly in love with him. Aramis said he did too. It felt like he did. We were together for two months. When my husband returned, Aramis left me without another word. But that night, he climbed through my window and told me that my husband knew about us. He was leaving me to save my life and reputation. My husband was going to divorce me if Aramis did not leave me. He was leaving me because he didn't want to be responsible for my marriage breaking down. Even in my short marriage, Charles never even mentioned that he knew about my affair but I could tell he knew.
Aramis and I remained friends. He was the person who brought me the news of my husband's death. He comforted me. Aramis is one of the few men I can rely on.
-III-
"I see," Athos spoke quietly as she finished her story. "Do you still love Aramis?"
Marie let out a loud laugh. "No." Shaking her head and reaching for her own drink. "I have not spoken to him properly for two years."
He watched her for a second until she looked up at him, their eyes meeting. He looked away when their eyes met. "Another drink?"
"I need to wash." She still avoided looking at him. Why? Why couldn't she look at him? Her cheeks seemed to burn each time her eyes fell on this aloof man. "But pour me another."
"Of course." He raised the bottle and poured another two cups of wine as she disappeared behind a changing screen. He had brought it back for her. It was to give her some privacy when she wanted to wash or change when he was still in the room. Athos sat in silence as she washed. He could hear her splashing the water. Daily he would actually look forward to their walks and their talks. He enjoyed being in her company. To be fair, she was easy on the eye. He could see why Aramis liked her.
She returned with a clean face and a smile. "Thank you." Sitting in her chair. He had recently brought another chair into his home, so they both could sit at the table, rather than one sit and the other stand. Marie lifted her drink and took a small drink. "When did you become a musketeer?"
He rubbed his cheek and sighed heavily, "five years ago. My brother died and I wanted to do some good. Becoming a musketeer did that for me."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Giving him a small smile and reaching over to grasp his hand a little.
"Thank you." He pulled his hand from under her hand. "Since it is raining today, we can walk longer tomorrow." Turning to look out of the small window, where the weather was heavily raining outside.
She gave him a small smile. "Thank you."
-III-
I remember when I first met Aramis. I thought he was the most arrogant man I had ever met. We argued daily for two weeks. After those two weeks, I did not talk to him for two days. He would say it was the quietest time of his life. When those two days were over, he apologised. Even though it was my fault.
"Madame, I sincerely apologise for my behaviour." He stood before me as I sat in my study. "I wish for forgiveness."
I remember laughing loudly and standing up. "Oh Monsieur Aramis. Of course I forgive you." I just remember smiling as we stood alone for a moment and then he kissed me. Luckily, there were no servants in the room or our affair would have ended sooner than it did. I invited him into my room that night and he did not sleep in another bed for a few weeks. He slept in mine. I loved it and I loved him. But when it was over, I felt guilty for betraying my husband, who was the kindest man I have ever met. I am glad I gave him a son and not my current husband.
-III-
Everything changed for them both on one of their daily afternoon walks. It would be their last daily afternoon walk in Paris. Athos only noticed it when they were a good five streets away from his home. She was talking away to him but he was not really paying attention. He could tell that there were people watching them. "Stay close," he whispered in her ear, as he threw his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. "Put your arm around me." Whispering in her ear still. "We're being followed, Madam."
"What?!" She gasped in horror and attempted to turnaround but he stopped her.
"Keep your pace." He murmured as she wrapped her arm around him, holding the leather of his coat tightly. He could feel her shake in fear. "We'll get you to Treville. He can hide you in his office until we find another safe house for you." He held her tight against his side as they walked normally. "If I tell you to run, you run straight to the garrison. Don't look back."
"Yes," she said nervously, her hand tightening her grip on his leather coat. She did not want to be caught. If she was caught, she would face the gallows and would hang for a crime she did not commit. They were not far from the garrison. She would be safe there.
They were safely inside, he pulled her up the stairs and immediately into Treville's office. "She is being followed," announced Athos, when he closed the door behind them, once he knew that Treville's office was empty except for Treville himself.
"I knew those walks were a bad idea!" He said angrily as he walked past them and looked out of his window. "They're at the entrance. Keep her away from the window." He glared at them both as he moved out of the door. "Masson! Send those beggars away again. They're here too often!" Shouting at the nearest man, who immediately sent away the men. "Aramis, Porthos, d'Artagnan. My office. Now!"
Athos had helped Marie to a chair as she sat shaking. "What can she do now?" He asked as Treville returned, soon followed by Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan.
Treville walked around his desk and studied the young woman, who was genuinely terrified. Her hands twisting in her lap. "She'll have to leave Paris. Get as far away as possible but close enough to return as soon as possible."
"I have nowhere to go," she spoke angrily, glaring up at the man. "My family think I am a traitor. No one will take me in!"
"I know a place." Athos spoke up and stood beside Marie, who looked up at him in hope. "It's far enough away and out of danger but close enough to Paris." He looked to his friends. "They know where. I will not say anything else. I trust you sir. But the less you know, the better."
Treville nodded, "fine. Madame, you will stay here until tomorrow night. Where you and Athos will leave under the cover of darkness."
"Why tomorrow night? Why not tonight?" She asked curiously. Her hands were still twisting in her lap.
"Tonight will be easier, sir." Athos spoke up. "I understand about tomorrow tonight but whoever is following her may send for more men and it will be harder to leave unspotted."
"I agree with Athos," Aramis stepped forward. "The sooner Madame de Chevreuse leaves, the quicker we can get her to safety." He rested his hand on her shoulder.
Treville looked at them all, they all seemed to agree with Athos. "Fine. Wait until night falls and then leave." He looked down at Marie, who had tears running down her cheeks. "This will all be over soon and you will return to your normal life."
Marie looked up at Aramis, who gave her a comforting squeeze on her shoulder and a comforting smile. She turned to look up at Athos, who was not looking at her. She could tell that he was purposely avoiding looking at her. "Yes," she nodded. "I hope so." He finally looked down at her. When their eyes met, she saw a little pain in them as did he. Did they really want to separate from each other?
-III-
A/N: Review! I reply privately when reviewers are not anonymous. If reviewers review anon, I will reply at the end of every chapter. :)
Response from chapter two:
Guest: Thank you. I will try to write more soon.