Disclaimer: I do not own the Musketeers.
Yes it has been a while. I have reason though so please don't kill me. Between writing two other fanfics and my performance schedule it has been, let us say, tricky. But finally I have something you all so enjoy!
"Couldn't you have worn something cleaner?"
Athos could have asked that when they had left but no he had to wait until they had passed the gates of the palace. Admittedly her jacket and shirt were worse for wear, but really Athos was one to talk.
"It was either this or an old woolen riding dress. Now I may not be an expert but this," She gestured to herself, "Is a bit more, shall we say, intriguing to the imagination."
"You look as though you've come from a street brawl." Athos said.
"You are one to talk. Or is that just a cologne with a hint of red wine I can detect?"
Porthos let out a dramatic sigh. "Children please. Some decorum if you will. We are about to be graced by royalty. "
Charlotte chewed her cheek to stop giggling.
It was midday and the sunlight hit the palace in all the right places, making it glitter and shine like in a dream to the country girl. Charlotte kept the gawking to a minimum as they walked into the palace. She, much to her displeasure, noticed the larger presence of the Cardinal Guards in comparison to the Royal Musketeers within. Seemed rather telling to the young woman as she passed them, so still and fancy in blue, perfectly groomed like the architect around them they could have been mistaken for a piece of artwork.
They were of course only permitted to one of what was many rooms in the palace and were asked to wait in white marble room the size of a large house. A mere entrance to a flight of stairs with gold engraved into the steps and a beautiful portrait spanning a whole wall at the top. Charlotte wished to see more but the silent presence of the twenty pages stood lined against the walls made her neck itch. Much to her amusement she passed one slowly and looked him in the eye. The page's moustache twitched and Charlotte relished the utter confusion in his eyes while he tried desperately to keep composed.
"Charlotte." Aramis called sharply, spoiling her fun. He indicated to his side for her to come like she was dog. "Do not say anything. Leave all the talking to us unless the King speaks directly to you." He whispered to her, "And remove your hat."
She did so and held the aging item at her side. "Afraid I may embarrass you?"
"Have you ever addressed a King before?"
"No. But I can talk myself out of any predicament." Charlotte said with a smug grin. But Aramis wasn't smiling. "Not good?"
"Definitely."
"Right then." Charlotte would try to keep herself in check. 'You're about to meet the King of France. Be in awe.'
There was a loud tap followed by "His Majesty the King." Charlotte whipped her head around to see. A large entourage was descending the stairs, most of whom were ministers all following one decadently dressed noble. Before she could get a look at his face, Charlotte was dragged down by her cloak to her knees. 'Fine then ' She fixed herself and dropped her head.
"Well well then." A click clack on the tiled floor from the King's shoes echoed louder than his voice which sounded ... young. "Brawling with the Cardinal's guard."
Charlotte risked a glance. The king was quite slim, under the purple brocade with black and gold lace he was covered in. It set of the copper in his groomed hair sitting on his shoulders and made him paler in the face. At his side was a much older gentleman in red flowing robes and a large jeweled cross resting on his breast. There was no guessing that he was Cardinal Richelieu judging by the calm yet arrogant smile on his face. "Very bad form. What do you have to say in your defence?"
"We humbly beg your pardon your Majesty." Aramis spoke on behalf for all four of them, his smooth voice tempered to match his words.
"Yes I should hope so. Tell me how many were involved in the altercation?" The King asked.
This time Porthos answered. "There was four of us against forty of them, your Majesty."
"Four against forty?" King Louis didn't sound stern but excited. He was smiling. "And you beat them like a drum?" There came a discreet cough from the Cardinal and immediately the King lost his smile. "Ugh yes. Well you shall have to be reprimanded most harshly, I'm afraid." Porthos was right, the Cardinal sought to punish them and was using the young King as a smokescreen.
"Your Majesty." Charlotte blurted out quickly. All eyes fell on her.
'Shit.'
She could just feel the glare Aramis was sending her so she had to come up with something good. "If you are to punish anyone let it be me alone." She said as clearly as she could manage. The King blinked as few times before he could respond. He must have been taking in her appearance.
"Ah yes. You must be the young woman." He approached her and motioned for her to stand. She did and her grip on her hat tripled. They stood toe to toe and Charlotte noticed that she was a little taller than the young King, even in his heels. He couldn't be any more than a few years younger than herself. "Could you tell me how you are involved in all this? From my gathering you ..." he gestured a black silken finger to her blade at her hip, "Fighting along with my Musketeers."
"I was." Charlotte said. "In all honestly your Majesty I was the one who started the fight. Your musketeers only entered the fight to aid me."
There were more than a few looks of surprise around the room. Even the Cardinal raised an eyebrow.
King Louis' bright blue eyes were wide. "You fought off forty well trained guards all one your own?"
Charlotte would have debated the definition if 'well trained.'
"At least ten, give or take. You may ask Lieutenant Jussac the reason for his broken sword." Somewhere down the line of kneeling men there was a snort. The King just stared at her and she stared back, breaking some etiquette rules at direct eye contact with royalty no doubt.
"Forgive me for my silence. But I've never heard of a lady sword master before. It's quite .. extraordinary really. Where did you learn to fight?"
"My father your Majesty. He's a former Musketeer."
"How intriguing." A curious smile played on the King's lips. "What was your name again?"
"It's Charlotte. Charlotte D'Artangan."
In all her years Charlotte had never had quite the reaction to her name as she got from the King of Frace and several of the ministers, who began teetering and whispering amongst themselves. She always got an understanding nod and the odd groan back home, but never awe. "D'Artangan? I don't suppose your father is Marius D'Artangan is he?" The King looked quite excited.
Charlotte nodded.
"Her Majesty the Queen!" The herald suddenly announced and King's attention immediately shifted to the staircase with a look of mild terror and sweet surprise. The Queen and her ladies were all visions to behold, poised and elegant with each step. Charlotte lowered herself back to her knees since the King apparently down with her for now.
"Anne. Ww... what a ppp... pleasant surprise." He said tripping over his words.
Queen Anne smiled sweetly before casting her gaze on the Musketeers and Charlotte. "My ladies and I want to see the valiant Musketeers and the 'dashing' lady swordsman who stood against the Cardinal Guards so bravely. Four against forty? Or was it four hundred?" She asked in a soft voice to her ladies.
"Just forty your Majesty. It was an off day." Athos told her. The small jest made the ladies in waiting twitter with laughter. One of which looked like ... and it was. The blond beauty from the day before, only more dressed up for the occasion and in the place of honour at the Queen's side.
"That's my Musketeers for you." The King said proudly, completely oblivious to the Cardinal rolling his eyes at the comment. "By the time the write songs about them it will be four thousand."
Now Charlotte could see why Athos had called the King a child. He was very childlike in his manners.
"I hope you won't be too hard on them. After all, boys will be boys." She looked at Charlotte. If there could ever be a human doll Queen Anne was the perfect example of one. Her youthful face was round and framed with perfect brass gold curls pulled back by a jeweled crown. Her magnificent gown matched her husband's in colour and pinched her waist in tightly before pooled out around her into a long train. She was indeed lovely. No wonder the King was tongue tied.
"Your Majesty." Richelieu muttered loudly to catch his attention. "The culprits."
"Yes of course." The King cleared his throat. "Well stand up then."
When they did, the King very purposely made his way to Athos. He stopped and rested a hand over his chest, gently tapping in contemplation. "Athos." He made his way down the line slowly. "Porthos. Aramis." Charlotte sucked in a quick breath as the King stopped before her. There was second of silence.
"Forgive me for saying this Charlotte, but your cloths look a little ... worse for wear so to speak. Not unacceptable." He span round and walked back up the line. "I can't have my Musketeers, or the daughter of one, looking like tramps. New suits all around I think. You'll see that Cardinal?"
'What? No harsh punishment? No public ridicule?'
"And I think a purse of gold each, as a reward for your courage. You'll see to that as well Cardinal. Oh, before I forget. No more fighting with his Eminence's guards. Or there will be none of them left."
A few began to chuckle lightly, including Charlotte.
"Your Majesty," Richelieu interjected. "Might I suggest a more ..."
"Forgive my impudence Cardinal. But I believe the King does not require your advice on the matter. They are after his musketeers." Queen Anne cut off the Cardinal smoothly. "Good day to you gentlemen." He queen lifted her chin and gracefully walked by with her ladies close. Constance glanced at Charlotte, who gave her a knowing wink.
"Now then, off with you." King Loius waved his hand. "Oh, there is a parade that you are all required for in two days. New suits and all. Oh and Charlotte you are most welcomed as well."
The four of them bowed and were permitted to finally leave, while being glared at by a sufficiently peeved Cardinal. Once they were out of earshot Aramis looked at Charlotte and smirked. "So, how did you find your first brush with court intrigue Charlotte?"
The young woman could only laugh. "New cloths and a bag of gold? I need to get in trouble more often."
