Author's Note: Hey guys... My beta sent all remaining chapters back... so the more feedback, the quicker I will post... Thanks to Nicole and Heather... my wonderful Betas... oh, look for a new story coming in June... another more novel lenghth. Enjoy. Meg
King Louis sat on his throne impatiently waiting. "Where are they?" he demanded for the hundredth time.
"They will be here shortly your majesty," Mazarin calmly replied.
Next to the king sat the new Queen Helen. "My dear, I am as anxious to see them as you, but it is a long journey. We must be patient." King Louis looked over at his queen and smiled adoringly at her. Mazarin hid his disgust. Nothing irritated him more than this girl who could keep better control on Louis than he could. "Tell me, will I meet this legend, THE d'Artagnan?" she asked them.
"Yes your majesty, if you so wish it, when he arrives for the wedding he will be summoned," Mazarin said sweetly to her, but she saw through the deception.
She gave him a hard look, as if trying to determine if he meant it. The queen turned to her king a thought occurring to her, "we must have party for the young couple."
King Louis thought a moment before responding, "Whatever you wish will be done."
Mazarin wanted to gag. This was too much to take. "They may have plans for a wedding tour already," Mazarin watched as the young queen turned and glared at him.
Louis looked a little put out, "they will not refuse a gift from the crown. I will make it an order if I need to."
The queen smirked at Mazarin before turning back to Louis, "thank you, my love."
Horns blew and a servant announced the arrival of the queen mother. "Your majesty," Mazarin bowed to her.
Queen Anne smiled at her son and his wife. "I will meet young d'Artagnan's bride to be, as well." She sat on Louis' other side on her throne and waited with them.
D'Artagnan stepped out of the carriage carrying the box. Siroc, Ramon, and Jacqueline sat still. "I will report to the king and deliver the papers from Charles." He turned to address Jacqueline. "I will expose Mazarin and then send for you."
Jacqueline bit her lip nervously. "Be careful, Edmund," she said softly. D'Artagnan bowed to her and she saw his necktie was once again not straight. She reached out and tied it straight.
"You would think they were married already, no?" Ramon said to Siroc. They both snickered and Jacqueline turned to glare at them. They stopped immediately as they knew better than to risk a woman's wrath.
King Louis stared down at d'Artagnan confusion in his eyes. "Where is she?"
D'Artagnan gestured toward the door. "She's waiting to be summoned; the treaty your majesty."
The king nodded and a servant took it from d'Artagnan and handed it to the king. Louis studied the treaty for several minutes, ignoring Mazarin's shocked look. "Very good, d'Artagnan."
D'Artagnan looked over at Mazarin. "The papers, your majesty," he said.
Louis took them out and looked them over. A frown appeared on his face and he turned to Mazarin. "Mazarin, can you deny you are traitor?"
Mazarin nodded a slight fear in his eyes. "I am your friend, your majesty."
Queen Helen stood and walked over to d'Artagnan facing the king. "Charles informed me of this matter and I am aware of this secret society he is leader over." Louis looked at her then nodded his approval. Queen Helen gestured toward Mazarin; "Guards arrest him!" Mazarin turned and fled the room. He ran down the hall and stopped as he bumped into someone.
Jacqueline held her rapier at Mazarin's throat. She looked at him debating on killing him or escorting him back. "Jacqueline Roget, I presume?" Mazarin sneered at her.
Her eyes narrowed at him. "You killed my father, made my brother leave France, and made me a fugitive. Give me one good reason why I should spare your life."
Mazarin's eyes grew wide as he could see the seriousness on her face. He gulped, "Milady, the punishment for killing a member of the royal court is death." Jacqueline twisted her rapier on his throat a little tighter.
D'Artagnan could not believe his eyes. There, at the end of the hall, stood Mazarin and Jacqueline. Her rapier was on this throat ready to deliver the deathblow. They seemed to be waiting. He wasted no more time as he ran toward them. "Jacqueline, no do not kill him!" he shouted. When he got to them, he put his rapier to Mazarin's throat just above hers. "Let the king deal with him," his voice was softer now, almost pleading.
She lowered her rapier and turned to Mazarin. "Death would be too kind; I would rather see you locked in that filthy dungeon for the rest of your pitiful life."
D'Artagnan smirked at Mazarin. "I have learned making her mad is a not a good idea." Mazarin sneered at them. "My love, the king awaits you," d'Artagnan said to her.
Jacqueline nodded and put her rapier into his hands. She smoothed her dress. It was purple silk with a black lace overlay. Her hair was pinned up once again with a few stray curls. She wore the pearl necklace and d'Artagnan's mother's ring. It was now her ring. She walked down the hall, back straight, staring straight ahead, as a lady does.
D'Artagnan had his rapier on Mazarin as he followed her. His face had the outlines of a smile as entered throne room. The guards took Mazarin away and Jacqueline turned to King Louis, Queen Helen, and the queen mother, Anne. "Your majesties." She curtsied to them as she spoke.