.

Saturday Story: Milady

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Milady rode out of the prison, her horse stepping over the bodies that she'd left on her way inside. Behind her, she could sense Aramis' dismay at seeing how many men she'd killed to save him.

"I had no choice," she suddenly said, surprising herself as much as Aramis at her need to explain.

The horse behind her was suddenly walking to her right, and she looked at the musketeer, seeing the shadows under his eyes that betrayed his exhaustion. It was obvious that he'd gotten little sleep in the nights that he'd been held prisoner, and from his pale, dry skin, she doubted that he'd been given much food and water…if any.

"Are the others safe?" Aramis asked.

Milady nodded. "Yes."

"Unharmed?"

"Yes."

Aramis sighed with relief. "Thank you for coming."

Milady looked at him again, seeing the genuine gratitude in his eyes. At that moment, he wasn't judging her, and despite the bruises on his face and disheveled appearance, she suddenly saw why Aramis was likeable. "You're welcome."

They were mostly quiet after that, and when they arrived at Constance's house, Aramis walked ahead of her and knocked on the door.

Milady watched as it opened, observing Athos as he grabbed Aramis around the neck and pressed a relieved kiss to his cheek. She hesitated as she walked through the door, watching as Aramis headed straight for Porthos and was enveloped in the bigger man's arms. The relief and joy in the room was tangible, and as d'Artagnan hugged Aramis next, Milady slipped into the first room she saw, needing to get away from the display of love that she wished she had in her own life.

I have to leave France, she thought to herself. I still love Athos…I have to leave because I've driven him away and I can't bear seeing him if I can't have him.

Staring at nothing, she sighed, until she heard someone come into the room.

"Thank you for saving him."

It was Athos…of course, it was Athos.

Milady turned slightly and saw him holding out a goblet of wine, but she turned around again, unwilling to take it and have her hand brush his own. I have to leave, she thought, forcing back tears. I have to leave…but I don't want to. I don't want to…

THE END