Chapter XXVIII...in which Athos and Porthos comb the streets of Paris in search of Charlotte, while Anne and Aramis are reunited in the nursery...
CHAPTER XXVIII
As the cart slowly lumbered out of the way, Athos wasted no time in spurring his mount past the obstruction. A minute later, he found himself in the middle of a square, a small stone church with a weather-beaten bell facing him. His eyes searched the shadows to no avail. There was no trace of Charlotte anywhere. He began to truly panic, envisioning her innocent body being cast in the role as a plaything for group of hardened criminals who had been bold enough to infiltrate the palace. He was thankful that Treville had had the foresight to spirit away the Queen and the King as soon as the ballroom went dark.
Porthos pulled up by his side, his hat pulled low over his face. He glanced at Athos, his face betraying his concern for his friend. "We'll find her," he said reassuringly. "Perhaps it would be best if we split up, eh?"
Athos nodded, the tension of the situation invading every muscle in his body. "She won't last long out here in the cold, if they've dumped her. And if they haven't…" his voice trailed off, imagining worse horrors for her.
"Don't go there, Athos," Porthos growled. "We're not lettin' anything happen to her. Not on our watch. You take the east side of the square, and I'll take the west. Let's meet up at the bridge by the river."
Athos nodded. "Porthos-" he swallowed, emotion getting to him, "Thank you."
Porthos brushed off his comment. "It's nothin', Athos. You'd do the same for me in a heartbeat. We're brothers, eh?" he wheeled his horses around and galloped off to the west, while Athos set off in the opposite direction, fear gripping his heart.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Dauphin's suite had been silent for some time, but d'Artagnan waited an extra 15 minutes before even considering sliding the panel open a fraction. Once he did, he motioned for Constance to stay behind as he crept out into the sitting room, stealthily canvassing the entire room before moving on to the nursery. Once he was satisfied the rooms were free of intruders, he returned to the entrance to the suite, and fashioned a makeshift reinforcement for the door by tying a rope around the handle and wedging a chair underneath. He then returned to the panel and led Constance out, not letting go of her hand for an instant.
Throwing her arms around him, she began to sob. "I thought we were going to die-and the thought of never holding you again drove me nearly mad."
"Shhh, shhh," d'Artagnan held her close. "Everything's fine. We're both alive."
"Everything is not fine!" Constance declared fiercely, pushing away from him for an instant, tears streaming down her face. "I cannot live without you! I won't do it…not ever again. What is life, after all, if we can't be with those we love? It's hell on earth…and I refuse to live in the flames anymore."
His hand cupping her face, d'Artagnan tried to steady his voice, then failed as it choked with emotion. "Constance, I love you…and I swear you won't regret this—not ever. But first-" he swallowed, "we must make sure the Dauphin, Aramis, and Gabriel are safe."
Nodding silently, Constance disengaged herself from d'Artagnan's arms to pull aside the curtain, exposing the door. D'Artagnan thumped on it twice. "Aramis!" he shouted hoarsely. "It's d'Artagnan! All is clear! Open up!"
A moment later, a key scraped in the lock, and Aramis cautiously opened the door, pistol in hand. He sighed audibly in relief when he saw d'Artagnan and Constance, and pushed the door to the side, motioning for Gabriel to come through first with the baby.
The page was holding the infant securely, whispering to him softly as he patted his back. Little Louis rubbed his eyes drowsily, then relaxed in the boy's hold, yawning and falling asleep almost instantly.
Aramis clapped a hand on the boy's shoulder. "This one-is a true hero." His voice was sincere and admiring, and Gabriel glowed to have the approval of one of the King's finest soldiers. "He was prepared for every contingency—and he has an amazing repertoire of lullabies." He leaned next to the boy's ear. "You'll have to teach me a few…I hope to have cause to use them someday." The boy nodded, smiling shyly.
At that moment, fierce pounding was heard on the door to the suites. "D'Artagnan! Aramis! Are you in there?"
"It's Treville!" exclaimed d'Artagnan with relief, and raced to admit him. Treville entered, his eyes scanning the occupants of the room. He was closely followed by the King, the Queen, and the Cardinal. Anne began to cry when she saw her child. Gabriel, seeing her relief, instantly went to the Queen and gently handed her the baby. He then bowed, "Your Majesties, Your Eminence," and returned to Aramis' side, a bit overwhelmed by all the important people in the room.
"What has transpired here?" asked the King urgently. "The Dauphin has not been hurt, has he?"
"No, Sire, he is perfectly well," replied Anne, smiling through her tears.
"Your Majesty, the intruders managed to gain access to this wing, but due to the quick thinking of your new page, who alerted us just before they reached the room, we were able to effectively hide and escape detection," replied Aramis carefully. "I wish it to be noted that this boy," he put his hand on Gabriel's shoulder, "was the real hero of the evening."
Louis looked at Gabriel kindly. "You are a credit to your father, Gabriel Delacroix. I am exceedingly glad to have your steady presence by my son's side. You have my thanks, and the thanks of the Queen." He looked at Anne, who impulsively hugged the boy, whispering, "You now have a special place in my heart. Anything you need, just ask me. I am forever grateful."
She stepped back and kissed her baby's head again, overwhelmed by the joy of having him in her arms again. Gabriel stared at her, almost hypnotized by the warmth and kindness of the Queen, who also possessed a truly luminous beauty. Aramis cleared his throat, and asked, "Might I petition the King for something?"
Louis gave him a sly look. "Aramis, if you're angling for a ceremonial dagger for yourself, I have none to spare."
Aramis gave a rueful laugh. "No, Your Majesty, Athos earned that. I have a much simpler request. I know it is a tradition for the pages in the royal households to have a mentor. I am assuming Gabriel has already had one named within the palace, but I feel this young boy has much promise, and has already demonstrated his exceptional bravery. Might it be acceptable for me to be named as an additional mentor? I would be glad to school him in the art of self-defence, which could only aid in protecting your son."
The King gave him a thoughtful look. "Yes, well, that might do. Athos would really be the more appropriate choice, but I suppose he will have more ceremonial requirements imposed upon him due to his new title, and we don't want to overburden the poor man. Your request is granted. Make note of that, Cardinal. And now, I must attend to another engagement. You have everything in hand, I expect?" He was halfway out the door before Anne could even respond to his question, and quickly disappeared, the Cardinal trailing in his wake.
Treville noted the anguish on Anne's face. He didn't even ask to hold the baby, he thought, shaking his head in disgust. "Aramis, can you make sure the Queen and Constance are settled in safely? D'Artagnan, I have need of you immediately. Charlotte has been taken, and Porthos and Athos have gone to look for her."
"No!" Constance gave a cry of dismay, and Aramis and d'Artagnan exchanged a look of concern. "Go ahead," urged Aramis. "I will follow as soon as I can." Treville and d'Artagnan left immediately, d'Artagnan turning to give Constance a last lingering look. "I will be back," he said in a low undertone. "I promise."
As the room began to empty, Anne turned to Constance. "Constance, can you please escort Gabriel back to his quarters? I then give you leave to retire for the night."
"But Your Majesty," protested Constance. "Who will help you undress?"
"I will be fine," replied Anne hastily. "Contrary to popular belief, I can get in and out of a dress by myself when circumstances call for it. Let it be known I will have the Dauphin sleep with me tonight instead of in the nursery. I am not letting him out of my sight." She gazed down at her child lovingly. "And under no circumstances am I to be disturbed," she said in a firm voice. "All my ladies are to be dismissed for the rest of the evening."
Constance noticed the Queen looking at Aramis as she said this last sentence, and a sinking feeling descended into the pit of her stomach. Surely the Queen does not plan to have Aramis stay with her tonight as well? But as she guided Gabriel out of the room, she saw Aramis go to Anne and place a comforting hand on her shoulder, and she knew that was exactly what was about to happen.
Next time…things heat up between Aramis and Anne…meanwhile, cold takes its toll on Charlotte as Athos and Porthos continue to search for her...
