A/N: I messed up the last chapter slightly. I've added a bit on the end of it so if you could all pop over to that one and read that first.
Also: I'm really sorry...
~ 0 ~
Well I've heard there was a secret chord
She felt the warm blood on her hands before she felt the pain. She looked down, fingers shaking, as she peeled her hand away from the wound. It was coated in dark, red blood, a puddle beginning to form as it dripped off her hand. Her knees went, the pain overwhelming her senses as she crashed to the floor, knocking a stool over as she went. Her gun crashed to the floor, skidding across the wooden planks as Liam stood above her, face void of emotion as he watched her gasping for breath.
that David played, and it pleased the lord
Ellie squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the pain. Her entire body was on fire as it reacted to the hole in her side. A shadow blocked out the sun from her eyes and she opened them, slowly. Liam crouched down in front of her as she tried to move away, writhing hopelessly.
"Shh, don't struggle," he said quietly, stroking her face. "It'll all be over soon." He wiped away the tears falling out her eyes, staring at her with a sinister smile. Slowly, he stood up, glancing down at her one last time with a sigh of pity.
He strode over to her door and locked it, putting the key in a drawer on the other side of the room. He grabbed a nearby chair and pushed it up against the door handle, locking her in. She was going to die in here. In the place, she called her home.
Liam clambered onto her bed, stepping onto the window sill and swinging open the window. He climbed out, crouching on the ledge as he pressed himself against the wall. He glanced over his shoulder at Ellie, smiling in satisfaction as she laid on the floor, the puddle of red underneath her slowly growing, seeping into her red dress.
Taking in the pain and misery he'd just caused; Liam felt no guilt. No shame. He smirked, climbing onto the roof and disappearing over the other side, leaving his first love for dead.
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Ellie coughed, the metallic taste of blood coating her tongue. She felt some of it drip down the side of her face, tickling her clammy skin. Her hands were now slick with blood and she could feel her body beginning to shut down on her. Slowly, she turned her head slightly and saw her gun, lying abandoned to the side. Breathing heavily, Ellie reached out her hand, straining to reach her gun. She gasped as her wound stretched, pain shooting through her. Tears filled her eyes and she sobbed as she stretched, even more, pain be damned.
Well it goes like this: the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift
Her fingers grasped the barrel end of the gun, slipping as she tried to get a better grip on it. Ellie let out another raw sob as she stretched too far, but it didn't matter, the gun was in her hand. She slumped to the floor, her breathing laboured as she fought to stay awake.
Her fingers stumbled over the gun, shaking with pain and coated in blood. She'd loaded it and cocked it this morning, ready to practice shooting that day. Somehow, she managed to click the safety off with her blood-soaked fingers and she took a deep breath in, turning her body slowly and painfully so that she could see the window.
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
There were voices down in the yard, a familiar laugh echoed, and Ellie felt a pain of sadness in her heart. Would she ever hear that laugh again? Ever see them? Taking a deep breath, holding back the sob of pain as she shifted, Ellie aimed her gun at the opened window, willing her shaking arm to stay still long enough to fire. She knew it would hurt. But when she fired the gun and the aftershock rattled through her arm, the pain was almost like being burnt alive.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
The bullet smashed the window and silence descended on the yard below her.
"Ellie?!"
Someone was yelling her name. But Ellie couldn't yell back, her tongue felt heavy and woollen and her body was slowly dying. There was so much blood beneath her, soaking into her hair. She could no longer tell where her red dress ended and the blood began. The stain on her side steadily continued to grow, her hand now just limply hovering on top of it. Her gun fell from her grasp as her arm finally gave up, falling to the ground with a thud, landing just centimetres from her gun.
There were pounding footsteps on the stairs outside, along the corridor. Someone tried to open her door and it banged against the chair behind it, rattling against the lock. Ellie tried to lift her head up but found that she no longer had control over her body.
There was pounding on the door, but Ellie could barely hear it over the roaring noise filling her ears. Her eyes began to close and the pain she'd been feeling slowly began to lessen. Her whole body went limp, melting into the pool of blood that was slowly growing underneath her.
Well your faith was strong, but you needed proof
The door flew open and D'Artagnan stood there, panting. His eyes widened when he saw Ellie, lying on the floor in an ever-growing puddle of her own blood. Her eyes were closed, her hand outstretched for her gun, fingers and hair stained red. D'Artagnan scrambled over the chair and fell to his knees beside her, pressing his shaking hands against the wound.
"Aramis!" His voice broke as he yelled, his eyes leaking with tears as he stared down at his sister. "No, no, no. Not today, not like this, please."
"What's –"Aramis stopped short, staring at Ellie. "Oh god no," he whispered as he joined D'Artagnan at her side. He pulled his gloves off and felt her neck for any sign of life.
Nothing.
You saw her bathing on the roof. Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
Aramis felt his heart stop, barely recognising that Athos and Porthos had joined them, hovering worriedly in the doorway. He moved his hand slightly – there. Barely, but it was there.
"She's still alive," he breathed. He lifted D'Artagnan's shaking hands off her wound ever so slightly, hissing when he saw how much blood was still coming from it, staining the Gascon's hands. "We need to move her."
"My office."
All four of them looked up at Treville. He was leaning heavily against the wall, panting, but their captain had a look on his face that they'd rarely seen, a look of pain and worry.
"She'll be safe there," he answered, looking at Aramis. The Spaniard nodded and Porthos stepped forward, carefully lifting Ellie into his arms. He tried not to look down at her pale face as he carried her through the corridor, his heart beating a thousand beats a minute. Porthos could feel her blood soaking through his jacket and onto his shirt as they turned the corner, Athos holding Treville's office door open.
She tied you to her kitchen chair
"D'Artagnan I need you to run and fetch Lemay from the palace," Aramis ordered as they walked into Treville's office. Athos swiped the desk clean, lifting the side table and putting it alongside the desk. "I don't care what he's doing, tell him it's an emergency."
The young Gascon nodded, taking one last look at Ellie before he ran out the room, taking the stairs two at a time. He knew his hands were stained with her blood, his eyes catching the red as he mounted a nearby horse. He urged the horse on, galloping through the streets and towards the palace, ignoring the cries of annoyance as people jumped out his way.
The cold wind bit at his face as he pulled the horse to a stop outside the palace doors, jumping down and quickly handing the reins to a nearby stable boy. He burst through the glass doors, ignoring the looks the Red Guards gave him as he passed.
D'Artagnan ran up the stairs, stopping only once to question a maid where Lemay was.
"In the throne room with the Queen."
Protocol be damned. D'Artagnan charged into the room, throwing open the doors with a bang. Everyone in the room turned to look at the Musketeer with blood coating his hands and jacket.
"How dare you storm in here –"Rochefort began, storming towards him, several red guards following behind.
"Lemay, we need you," D'Artagnan said, cutting him off.
"Can it not wait?" Rochefort demanded curtly, glaring at the Musketeer.
"It's Ellie, she's dying," D'Artagnan said bluntly. An eerie silence fell over the room and D'Artagnan saw Anne pale dramatically, hands shaking. He caught Rochefort cursing quietly, clenching his fists as Lemay shook himself, striding forward with his bag in his hands. Constance followed behind him a D'Artagnan led the way back to the Garrison.
And she broke your throne and she cut your hair
Ellie felt as if her entire body was on fire. Everything hurt, and her eyes felt heavy, almost glued together. There were voices all around her, saying words she couldn't quite make out. Someone was holding her hand, it felt like, and their grip was firm and comforting. Despite the warmth of the darkness, pain still filled her mind
And from your lips, she drew the Hallelujah
"-is going to survive this?" The voice was so familiar it hurt, but despite it she couldn't figure out who it was or where it was coming from.
"I don't know. If she survives – "
Was she not meant to survive this? What even was this? Suddenly, a sharp tight pain shot through her and her body arched, trying to escape the pain. There were hands on her, holding her down, comforting her. Someone wiped away the escaping tears and shushed her.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
"llie. Ellie?"
Slowly – painfully – she opened her eyes, squinting as she tried to see what was in front of her. A man. No. Several men. And a woman. Ellie whimpered as another shock of pain ripped through her body and the woman was instantly there, rubbing her shoulder, shushing her gently.
Constance.
Constance was sitting by her, shushing her and comforting her, a gentle hand in her hair, stroking it.
"Constance," Ellie whimpered, reaching out for her friend. A hand met hers, grasping it tightly.
'I'm here," she said calmly, "we're all here."
She saw them then. Her family. They were all there. Aramis, Porthos, Athos, D'Artagnan and Treville. All of them.
But baby I've been here before
"We're here, Ellie." That was Aramis.
"We won't leave you." Porthos.
"You're safe, you're in Treville's office." Athos.
Someone crouched down by her head, stroking her hair. "I love you." D'Artagnan.
Ellie felt some worry and tension disappear but there was something still there, something that was worrying her.
"Liam is he – "
"He's not here, he's gone into hiding," Treville replied gently from where he stood at the bottom of whatever she was lying on. "He can't get to you."
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
Those words settled her slightly as her eyes began to close. Pain began shooting through her side and she cried out, her back arching again as she tried to make the pain stop. The pain began to overwhelm her, and blackness surrounded her, despite the calls for her to stay awake.
Seconds later she opened her eyes to…
Her circus.
Except, it wasn't the nightmare-filled horror she remembered it to be. It was…beautiful. Strings of lights hung over the tents, giving everything a warm glow. Music floated around the circus and laughter filled the air. Warm sunlight hit her skin as she looked around, feeling the grass underneath her feet, her hair blowing in the wind.
You know, I used to live alone before I knew ya
Ellie looked down at herself and saw she was dressed in a white dress, lace sleeves covering her arms. The fabric fell about her gently, moving softly in the breeze. Underneath her feet were bare and her hair was tied up in a loose, messy bun with a red rose flower crown on top.
"Elizabeth."
She swirled around and gasped. Luke. Gods above, Luke was standing in front of her, holding out his hand.
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
"Luke," Ellie breathed, eyes filling with tears as she ran forward, launching herself at her brother and hugging him tightly. Luke hugged her back tightly, kissing her head as she cried into his arms.
"I've missed you so much," Luke said softly, sighing happily as he let her go.
Ellie took a step back, smiling up at her brother as she took his hand in hers. "How?"
Liam shrugged, "who knows?"
Ellie giggled, leaning on his arm as they walked through the circus, the smell of roasting meat and fresh loaves of bread filling her senses.
And love is not a victory march
Her circus was bustling with people, families, lovers – everyone. They were all smiling, eyes crinkled in happiness as the children ran around shrieking in excitement. Ellie laughed, moving out of the way of one little boy who was being chased by his sister.
Ellie glanced over her shoulder, feeling like someone was watching her. She didn't see anyone, in particular, just a group of four men standing by the gates. Shaking her head, she turned back to Luke as he talked about the acts performing that night.
The acrobats, the tightrope walkers, the contortionists, the jugglers and the musicians. In every tent, something was happening.
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
They walked past a fortune teller's tent and Ellie excitedly dragged Luke inside it, eyes widening in amazement at the artefacts dotted around the room.
"Please, have a seat," The veiled woman told her, gesturing to the chair in front of the table.
Ellie sat down, buzzing with excitement as the woman pulled out a pack of cards, turning them upside down and spreading them across the clothed table in front of her.
"Pick ten, and only ten. Choose wisely, for these will be your destiny."
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Ellie's hand hovered over the cards. Slowly, but carefully, she chose her ten cards, setting them aside.
The Fortune teller turned them over, laying them out in front of her.
The Ace of cups
The King of Pentacles
Two of Swords
Four of cups
Strength
The Empress
Five of Cups
Temperance
Death
Eight of Cups
Well there was a time when you let me know
"Interesting," she muttered, looking at the array of cards. "The Ace of Cups indicates that this a time of happiness, for you, is approaching. The foundations of marriage and new relationships are to be set.
"The King of Pentacles. This suggests that you're currently fixating on status and wealth. It might be time to look at material gain for a while, instead of just status.
"Two of Swords, now that is an interesting one. Events from your past have arisen once again, forcing you to make a difficult choice. One that can only be made if you are honest about your past."
What's really going on below
Ellie glanced over at Luke, frowning. He smiled at her, leaning against a pole, arms crossed. She looked over her shoulder, thinking she heard someone call her name but shook it off.
"Four of cups. The new approach you are considering for an old problem, do it. It'll solve all your issues. Now is the time to take risks for failure is less likely.
"Strength. The most important form of power. A form you have in abundance, it seems. Seize upon the offer coming your way, it shall allow you to put long waited for plans into action.
"The Empress. The time is coming to heal and reconcile. A time to heal all emotional and physical wounds. You may not be able to mend bridges but new paths are open to you."
What's really going on below
Ellie gasped quietly as the woman turned over her seventh card. She put a hand to her side where a shooting pain was radiating from and pulled it away, frowning when she saw blood staining her hand.
"Five of cups. You fixate too much on what you have lost, not on what you have gained. You risk ignoring all the good in your life. And there is so much of it, Ellie.
"How do you know my name?" Ellie asked, knowing for certain she didn't tell the woman.
"Temperance." The woman carried on, turning over the eighth card. "Expect a marriage or wealthy partnership in your inner circle. Good decisions will lead to good resolutions.
"Death."
Ellie froze, leaning forward to stare at the grim card. Death. Dead. Survive. Blood. Ellie. Home.
But now you never show that to me do ya
"Stop," she muttered, shaking her head, "stop getting in my head."
"Elizabeth?" Luke asked, stepping forward, "you alright?"
"Death. Your inner transformation will arise through external forces. This change will be permanent and significant. Something important to you will end but you must embrace it and move on no matter how painful it is."
The Fortune Teller turned over the last card, laying it flat on the table. The pain in her side was increasing and Ellie's head began to spin slightly as she stared at the card in front of her.
But remember when I moved in you
"The eight of cups. It suggests that there is stability and security in your life but at a personal cost. You probably feel unfulfilled by your current life and this may encourage you to move on and find a new direction. But, if you are willing to sacrifice some stability to find happiness, then it is yours."
Ellie stood up from her chair, hand on her side. "Thank you," she said quietly, smiling. The Fortune teller bowed and Ellie could've sworn she sore a familiar flash of brown hair.
And the holy dove was moving too
Luke held the tent flap open for her as she stumbled out, holding her side tightly. Ellie fell to her knees, head swimming as the pain increased.
"Elizabeth?" Luke asked, kneeling next to her. "What's the matter."
"I don't know," Ellie muttered, crying out as the pain began to overwhelm her. She fell onto the cool grass, curling into a ball as tears leaked out her eyes.
"Ellie?"
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Someone yelled her name and several people started running, but their footsteps disappeared as soon as she heard them. Through her haze of pain, Ellie thought she could smell smoke. She opened her mouth to mention it to Luke when the screaming began.
"Fire!" Someone screamed as they ran away, soot staining their faces. "It's out of control, run away!"
The heat of the flames suddenly hit her, and the orange began licking up the tent ropes surrounding her, burning through the twine quickly. Ellie turned her head to look at Luke. But he wasn't there. No one was there.
The heat was becoming unbearable, as was the pain in her side, and Ellie felt herself screaming as it finally hit her, sending her senses into overdrive. Everything was too loud, too much, too soon.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
"Aramis, she's burning up," Constance called as she wiped Ellie's brow with a damp cloth.
"Try and keep her cool, her body's trying to fight off the infection," Aramis replied as he set a fresh bucket of water down. His heart broke as Ellie tossed in the bed, hair soaked with sweat. "The dagger must've been dirty or something to cause the infection."
"She is going to alright, isn't she?" Constance asked as she dropped the cloth in the fresh water, wringing it out.
Aramis sighed, sitting down in the chair by her bed. "If she gets through the night, she'll be fine. But right now, I don't know how likely that is."
He leant forward, holding his crucifix tightly in his hand and closed his eyes, sending a silent prayer up above. He'd thrown his jacket and belt on the screen hours ago, sitting in only his dress shirt and trousers, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Ellie continued to whimper, frantically tossing in the bed despite Constance's best efforts to keep her cool.
Maybe there's a God above
They'd piled blankets on top of her fragile body to help her sweat it out and her shirt was soaked with sweat. They'd also opened all the windows to make sure she didn't overheat and had a few candles dotted about, flickering in the wind.
But all I've ever learned from love
"How is she?" Athos asked quietly, sitting down next to an exhausted Aramis.
"The fever finally broke and the infection's beginning to fade but I still don't know. She lost a lot of blood and I don't know if her body's strong enough to survive." He buried his hands in his hair, clenching it tightly.
Athos put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. "She's our Ellie. She's survived worse than this."
Aramis nodded, reaching his hand up and placing it on top of Athos'. The two sat like that for hours, watching Ellie sleeping.
But all I've ever learned from love
Porthos cleared his throat, sitting down in what had become known as 'Aramis' chair'. He leant forward, clasping Ellie's limp hand in his.
"I'm sorry, about what I said," he began quietly, "I had a lot on my mind, and I was really angry. Not at you, but at Rochefort and Louis being an idiot. Treville told me about my father. Properly. I know everything knows. As soon as your better, I'm going to go see him and I want you to come with me if you like."
He sighed quietly, his eyes glancing down at Ellie's chest, making sure it was still moving evenly.
"I would say I'd kill Liam for what he's done to you. But I'm not going to deprive you of that, none of us will. It's up to you what you do to him."
Porthos cleared his throat as he stood up, gently putting Ellie's hand back down on the bed.
"I love you, Els," he whispered, leaning down and kissing her forehead gently.
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
D'Artagnan quietly opened a window, blowing out the candles as the morning sun drifted in. The Garrison was unusually solemn and quiet. Hardly anyone was talking to one another, all in their own frame of mind, trying to get through the day.
He gently moved the chair closer to Ellie's bed, sitting down in it and bracing his arms on his legs.
"Constance is doing better, I think," D'Artagnan began quietly. "She's still in mourning but she's not as upset. She's gone back to work, though. Rochefort mysteriously disappeared for a few days after, you know. No one's seen Liam for a while, but I heard he's come back today.
"Treville said we can't prosecute Liam for this because we don't have any substantial proof. Rochefort would probably manage to snake their way out of it now that he's got Louis wrapped around his finger. The Queen was very worried about you. Still is, from what Constance said to me. She'd come and visit you if Rochefort wasn't about."
D'Artagnan inhaled sharply, leaning back as he wiped away the tears threatening to fall.
"Please don't die, Ellie," he whispered, "I can't lose you too."
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
The four of them sat dotted about the room, candles slowly melting as the night drew on. No one said anything. They didn't have to. It'd been four long days since Ellie had been stabbed and two since her fever had broken. And yet there was still no sign of her waking up.
They were all thinking it, deep down in the darkest pits of despair. The dreaded what if that no one wanted to ask. That no one dared to ask.
It's not somebody who's seen the light
The door creaked open and Treville sighed as he saw his four greatest musketeers sitting quietly in the dark.
"All four of you, go downstairs and eat something," he ordered, holding open the door. "Change your clothes, go for a walk, get some sleep and take a moment. You've not left her side and you know she'd be yelling at you right now."
"I'm not leaving her," D'Artagnan said, shaking his head.
Treville looked at Athos, giving him a pleading look. Athos sighed and stood up.
"He's got a point," Athos said quietly. "She'd be kicking us all out and forcing us to sit down and eat."
"But she's not, is she?" D'Artagnan replied sullenly.
"No," Athos replied quietly, walking over to the Gascon. "But if she wakes up and finds out that you passed out from exhaustion, she won't be happy."
D'Artagnan sighed, closing his eyes and tilting his head back. "Ok."
"I'll stay with her," Treville said quietly as the four of them left. He gave Athos a grateful smile as he closed the door quietly behind them. Grabbing a nearby chair, Treville put it down next to the bed, sitting down carefully.
He didn't say anything for a while, just sat there, quietly watching the night sky. The wind blew out one of the candles and he stood up, grabbing a lit one and re-lighting it, setting it back down on the window sill. He reached over and pulled the window to slightly.
It's not somebody who's seen the light
He sat back down in the chair, reaching forward and grabbing Ellie's hand. Her hair was splayed out across the pillow and she looked very pale. Treville sighed. He knew she was going to be fine, he trusted Aramis. After all, he did save his life. But seeing her practically lifeless hurt. They'd all noticed the absence of her smile, her teasing and her laughter the past five days. The Garrison hadn't felt the same.
"When I found you in that alleyway all those years ago, I didn't see a criminal. I just saw a terrified girl fighting for her life. You reminded me so much of Aramis and Porthos. If life had dealt me a card like yours, I would want someone to give me a second chance." Treville leant forward. "I know you, Ellie. I know you won't let Liam win. Please. I'm giving you another chance. Please"
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
"Who says he's going to win?"
Treville looked down in shock as Ellie slowly opened her eyes. She smiled tiredly up at him; eyes bright. Treville sat there, mouth open as she squeezed his hand, confirming she was truly there.
"Ellie," Treville breathed, crouching down next to her. "How do you feel?"
"Like shit," Ellie replied croakily. "How long?"
"Five days," Treville said softly. "They hadn't left your side until an hour ago. I made them."
Ellie chuckled lightly, wincing slightly. "Would Aramis be opposed to me getting out of bed and going outside?"
"Greatly," Treville replied smiling. "But I'm sure he won't mind if it's for a second."
Treville helped Ellie sit up slowly, squeezing her hand when the pain overwhelmed her. She was nothing if not determined to get back up on her feet. Ellie swayed as she stood on her feet, holding on to Treville tightly.
"How bad is it?" Ellie breathed as he passed her his jacket and helped her slip it on over her shirt.
"You'll have a lovely new scar for the collection," he said, helping her hobble out the door. "It's almost healed up now, I think."
"I meant you."
Treville looked at her and rolled his eyes fondly. "Of course, you did." He helped her up the small flight of stairs that led to the balcony, holding onto her arm. "I'm fine, now. Just a delightful scar on my back. I hear you saved my life."
Ellie scoffed, "hardly. I just know too much about drinking and being shot," she winced as she stepped up, "that's all. Lemay and 'mis did all the work."
Ellie slowed down when the night breeze hit her. She relished the feel of it as they approached the door, smiling softly when she caught a glimpse of the Garrison and heard her brother's talking.
Treville hovered behind her as she slowly made her way onto the balcony, leaning on the wooden railing and looking down at their table. D'Artagnan was half asleep, a partly eaten apple on his plate. Athos and Porthos were silently drinking together and Aramis was slowly eating his way through a bread roll.
"I really am the life of the party, aren't I?" Ellie called, making all four of them jump. "I mean, look at you! You look more depressed than a donkey!"
As one, they all launched themselves from the table, running up the stairs towards her. D'Artagnan embraced her first, being very careful not to aggravate her side or knock her over.
"I'm fine," she whispered as she felt his shoulders shake, hearing a quiet sob escape his lips. "I'm alive."
Elizabeth Beckett was still alive. And now there was hell to pay.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
~ 0 ~
Again, I'm really sorry