Chapter 11

Marie gazed out of the large window of the room she had been given. The queen had been too kind to her, she felt, giving her one of the rooms that would normally house a lady-in-waiting. She turned as she heard her maid enter.

"Madame, Her Majesty is here to see you." Marie gave her a surprised look and quickly ran her hands down her dress to straighten it out. She had not expected to have a visit from the queen.

"Marie. I do hope the rooms are agreeable to you," Anne said with a smile as she walked into the room.

"Your Majesty is too kind. They are perfect. Thank you," Marie replied, dropping into a curtsey.

"May I ask, though, what I have done to deserve these rooms for my stay?" Anne smiled at the question, walking up to her and taking her hand.

"I made a promise to your husband that I would look after you and that no harm will come to you while you are within the palace walls. I am not about to break that promise. Not after I saw the depth of his love for you. You are the most precious thing to him. I will not allow anyone to take that from him," Anne explained.

"Again, I thank you, Your Majesty," Marie replied, slightly awed.

"I hope you will consent to walk with me. I have a free afternoon," Anne invited. Marie looked at her, stunned.

"It has been a long time since I had someone with whom I could talk," Anne said by way of explanation. Marie's eyes softened and she nodded. She knew what Anne meant, and so she picked up her cloak, following the queen out into the grounds.

"Where is he?" Porthos fired as Constance let him into the house later that day.

"In his room. Where are D'Artagnan and Athos?" she asked the Musketeer. Porthos turned to her, flashing a toothy grin.

"They got palace duty, otherwise known as 'keep an eye on Marie' duty this afternoon. They won't be over until later," Porthos explained.

"So how are you here?" Constance questioned, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I got 'stop Aramis from feeling sorry for himself' duty. Come to think of it, not sure which is worse," Porthos replied, frowning slightly. Constance just laughed.

"I am going to head to the market and get some food to feed you four tonight. I promised Marie I would look after Aramis. So I may as well keep an eye on you three too," Constance told him, grabbing her cloak.

"Good luck: he hasn't said a word all day!" she called as she left, flashing him a smile before leaving him to it. Porthos sighed as he headed to his friend's room.

He found Aramis lying on his back, hands behind his head and eyes shut, though Porthos knew he wasn't sleeping.

"Sounds like you have been a barrel of laughs today," Porthos said, dropping down on the bed next to him. Aramis opened his eyes and glanced to his right, where Porthos was lounging with his back against the head rest.

"Not really in the mood to be social," Aramis replied simply, shutting his eyes again

"Right. Well, you can't stay in here all night feeling sorry for yourself. So get up!" Porthos told him, smacking his chest with a heavy hand. Aramis's eyes flew open and he glared at Porthos.

"Haven't you got some form of work to be getting on with?" he snapped, a trace of irritation coloring his tone.

"Nope! Treville gave me this brilliant task of making sure you weren't left to your thoughts for too long. So here I am!" Porthos smirked. Aramis growled in frustration.

"Just leave me alone, Porthos!" he said firmly.

"Can't do that, Captain's orders! Now, are you going to get yourself out this room? Or am I going to have to force you to?" Porthos challenged. Aramis eyed Porthos, knowing full well his friend wasn't joking, but Aramis wasn't in the mood to talk. He was tired and had been quite happy catching up on what sleep his mind had let him that day. He also knew his other two friends would be returning from the palace soon and that made him even more reluctant to leave the confinement of his room.

"Neither, because I am not going anywhere!" Aramis finally replied, lacing his words with a warning that told Porthos he really wasn't in the mood. Porthos sighed, looking down at the smaller Musketeer.

"Aramis, you can't lock yourself away the whole time Marie is at court," he told him gently.

"I am not locking myself away. I will be back at the garrison, ready for whatever duty Treville wants me on, tomorrow," Aramis stated.

"You know what I mean. Fine, I will leave you alone for now! But when Constance has cooked dinner and Athos and D'Artagnan have returned, you will come out and eat with us!" Porthos told him. His tone left Aramis in no doubt that there was no room for argument.

"Fine," Aramis agreed wearily as he turned his back on his friend and shut his eyes. Porthos let out a breath, getting up. He glanced at the man lying on the bed and shook his head. He would get Athos in here later to drill some sense in to him. For now, to keep the peace and not upset Aramis any further, he would give him what he wanted.

Athos watched from a distance as his sister walked the palace grounds with the queen. He sighed; she looked every bit the noble lady she was, and she looked so at ease. He knew Marie would never return to this life, she loved Aramis too much, but it didn't stopping him from thinking of what might have been.

"So I have just seen our man Rochefort walking the grounds not far from the queen and Marie. My guess is that they will meet about… now," D'Artagnan told Athos just as the man in question stopped in front of the two ladies. Athos sent the younger Musketeer a look. D'Artagnan just nodded as they slipped closer to the three figures so that they could hear what was being said.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. I was just admiring your beautiful grounds; I didn't expect to come across you and your lovely companion," Rochefort said courteously, bowing to the queen.

"Lord Rochefort, you have nothing to be sorry for. While you are at court, the grounds are yours to wander," Anne replied, sending him a smile. Marie noticed it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"May I inquire the name of your very beautiful companion? I don't believe I have seen you at court before, Mademoiselle," Rochefort inquired, turning his attentions to Marie.

"My name is Marie. And you are correct, my Lord, you have not seen me at court before," Marie replied, allowing him to take her hand and kiss it gently.

"I didn't think I had. I would remember a beautiful face like yours," he said charmingly, flashing a smile. Marie reterned it politely.

"Well, Your Majesty, I shall leave you. I have some important business to attend to," Rochefort said, bowing again to Anne before turning to Marie.

"Lady Marie, I hope to become more acquainted with you during my stay," he told her, kissing her hand again and winking at her. He stood up to his full height and inclined his head to them both before walking off. Anne looked at Marie and placed a gentle hand on her arm, sending a sympathetic smile. Marie couldn't bring herself to respond. She found herself wishing she was back at home with her husband. The thought of courting the man they had just encountered sent shivers down her spine.

"Thank you," Anne's voice brought her out her thoughts. She saw understanding in her queen's eyes and felt a rush of gratitude. She simply smiled and nodded in reply, not daring to speak.