A/N: First review! Seeing that made me smile. We see more of the lady side to Ellie in this chapter, and a bit more on that mysterious letter...
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Ellie
Ellie stood to the side, next to Athos, watching D'Artagnan. The woods were covered in a layer of now, and there was a thin layer of mist on the ground as well.
'This is a suicide mission.' She whispered to Athos as D'Artagnan wielded his sword.
'But one that will prove useful.' He muttered back, blunt as ever. Ellie rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest.
'That does not mean it isn't a suicide mission.' She didn't wait for his reply as she walked over to D'Artagnan.
'What's the vital thing to remember in a dual?' Aramis asked, leaning on D'Artagnan's shoulder.
'Honour?' He asked, staring straight ahead at the man. Porthos smacked him on the head.
'Not getting killed. Biting, kicking, gouging.'
'Gouging?' Ellie questioned with a look to Athos who shrugged.
'It's all good.' Porthos finished.
'You don't have to do this.' Athos told him, stepping in front of him. 'It's musketeer business.'
'I can handle it.' D'Artagnan replied, staring straight ahead. He held out his glove to Athos, who took it from him. He walked to the middle of the path, looking at D'Artagnan; who nodded. Athos held his arm out, the glove in his hand' prepared to drop it. But before he even had, the man charged toward them, growling like a ravaged dog. Athos quickly stepped out of the way as the two men engaged in the dual.
'This is a really bad idea.' Ellie whispered. Porthos chuckle quietly.
'We know.' Porthos reminded her. Ellie groaned, dragging a hand through her hair, as the man punched D'Artagnan in the face; sending him to the ground. He quickly spun around and blocked the man's attack. The man kicked him in the stomach sending him crashing to the ground again. D'Artagnan kicked the man, somewhere that made Ellie cringe. Porthos chuckled.
'I taught him that move.' He told Aramis who smiled. D'Artagnan and the man kept on fighting, sparks appearing every time their swords clashed. They all watched the fight intently, waiting. D'Artagnan sun around, and swiped the man's sword from him, pushing him away. Ellie sighed, smiling. But the relief was short-lived, as horse's hooves and a man's voiced echoed around the forest.
'Lay down your weapons!' He cried, and Ellie's eyes widened.
'Shit,' She said, turning to face Aramis. 'Red guards.' She told Aramis.
'Red Guards!' He yelled, attracting everyone's attention. The fight turned to chaos as everybody ran in different directions, away from the oncoming Red Guards.
'What did I say about this being a suicide mission?' She asked Porthos, who simply growled at her. The four of them skidded to a halt, watching D'Artagnan try to outrun the five men on horseback.
'Nothing more we can do for him.' Athos muttered.
'No point all of us getting arrested.' Porthos told them.
'He knows the Musketeer motto.' Aramis replied. 'Everyman for himself!' He cried before running again.
'I'm pretty sure that's not it.' Ellie yelled at him, as she too, started running.
'Who cares?!' Came the reply.
Ellie stood to the side of the assembled Musketeers, cringing as Treville yelled at them.
'You all knew the penalty for duelling, but you let D'Artagnan go ahead!' He yelled as he paced in front of the group. 'Regardless.'
'I don't like this. I've never been unpopular before.' Aramis whispered.
'Try trading places with me.' Porthos muttered.
'But you're used to it. I'm more the romantic hero type.' Aramis trailed off as Treville stopped in front of him.
'D'Artagnan is in prison because of you. Alone.' Treville told him. 'Friendless. Condemned.' He stopped in front of Athos, who stared him in the eye. 'I hope you're very proud.' Treville stormed away. 'Dismissed!' The Musketeers broke away, none of them speaking to the three in disgrace.
'D'Artagnan was taken to the Chatelet at ten this morning. He is awaiting execution at his majesty's pleasure.' Treville stopped for a bit. 'Congratulations! You had me convinced.' He told them, straightening up. 'And I knew the whole thing was a charade.'
We certainly fooled the rest of the men. They hate us!' Aramis exclaimed. Ellie sat down in one of the chairs by the window, crossing her legs.
'They think we betrayed a friend.' Ellie muttered from where she was sitting down. 'It makes me sick.'
'Provoking a duel was a brilliant idea. The world had to believe D'Artagnan's arrest was genuine.' Treville said.
'I still think one of us should have done it.' Athos replied.
'Vadim would never trust a King's Musketeer. It had to be someone he didn't know.'
'He's a Gascon farm boy, promising, but raw. There's too much at stake.' Athos told him, leaning against the door frame.
'Well he has to prove himself some time, why not now?' Treville asked.
'Well, I think he can do it. And I'm a pretty good judge of character.' Porthos answered. Aramis chuckled.
'You're a terrible judge of character, especially when you're sober.' Aramis told him. There was an awkward silence for a few beats.
'I think he can do it.' Ellie spoke, causing all the men in the room to stare at her. 'He has that look.'
'Vadim stole enough gunpowder to start a small war. Where is it?' Treville asked standing up. 'If D'Artagnan can bring us the answers, then his life is worth the risk.' Treville sighed. 'Tomorrow is Good Friday. The Queen pardons a few deserving prisoners at this time every year. I've put you all on her guard detail. You can check on him then.' He went to dismiss them but changed his mind. 'And Ellie?' He asked, causing Ellie to groan.
'She wants me with her as her Lady in Waiting, doesn't she?' Ellie asked. Treville nodded. 'I shall have to go search my closet for a dress then.' She told him, getting up off of the chair and walking out of his office.
Ellie took a deep breath, her corset ridiculously tight. Her short hair was piled up on top of her head, and her white and blue dress blew in the breeze. She had, of course, hidden a few weapons on her. None that were obvious, but lethal enough to do some damage. She walked out of her room, her chin held high. She jogged up the stairs and walked out into the courtyard. The carriage was waiting for her at the entrance to the Garrison, and Ellie took the driver's hand as she stepped inside. She sat down, opposite the queen.
'I'm sorry to hear about D'Artagnan.' She told her. 'I thought if you accompanied me, it would take your mind off of it.' Ellie sighed.
'Thank you, hopefully, it will.' She replied, smiling at the Queen. But Ellie wasn't thinking about D'Artagnan and his potential suicide mission. She was thinking about the letter she had received four nights ago, claiming to be from her dead brother. Knowing what her family was capable of, she didn't doubt that he was. And ever since then she had set up traps in her room, just in case. If he was alive, then who else had survived the fire? She had so many questions, and no one to answer them. It was a mystery with no solution. No other letters had arrived, and there had been no one following her about. But Ellie knew it wasn't just a one-time thing. More would be coming, and Ellie knew; each would be more threating than the last.
