Author's Note: Al right, I know ya'll are dying to know Edmund's secret past, so here... chap. 11... we are almost through..two left. ;) As always, Heather put up w/ a great deal, though she liked this chap best. Feedback. Meg
Eliza sat numbly as the royal doctor checked her over, too much in shock to comprehend what was going on. They had been moved into the throne room. She vaguely remembered guards moving a still alive Mazarin and the baron off to the Bastille. She felt dizzy and sick. Voices she heard distantly and they seemed odd sounding. The king moved towards her speaking and she forced herself to focus in.
"I understand that because of you that the musketeers knew in time to protect myself and the queen."
Eliza stared numbly at him. "Yes, Sire," she responded without emotion or feeling.
Louis did not notice conditioned way she spoke. "You may have whatever you wish for."
Eliza was a bit startled by this. She did not want anything. She had merely done what any good citizen of France should. "Thank you, but I must decline the offer."
His Majesty, King of France, frowned at her. He was genuinely perplexed as why she would not ask for something. Her majesty, the Queen of France, stood and walked towards her. "She is like her mother, perhaps a commission in the musketeers is what her heart yearns for?"
Eliza gulped slowly, waiting for Louis' reaction. He only glanced briefly at her as if waiting for her to confirm that. "That would be an honor, your majesties." She tried to sound grateful, but all she wanted was her grandfather, and not even the king of France could give her that. She heard Edmund come up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. Well, there are only two things I want, she amended to herself.
The king addressed Edmund now. "Musketeer, you have aided young Lady d'Artagnan, fought an evil adversary, and saved the crown. What is your wish?" Edmund did not respond before Aramis stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Yes, Aramis?" The king prompted.
"Permission to speak freely, your majesties?" His Majesty inclined his head. Aramis gestured to Edmund. "This young man, it is my duty to inform your majesties, is Edmund Stratton, son of Edward and Louisa Stratton." He turned toward Anne. "Her majesty's younger sister." Anne gasped turning white as her hand flew to her mouth. "This makes Edmund your cousin, your majesty." The room went silent. Everyone but the original musketeers, Eliza and Edmund were stunned. Anne moved first coming toward him, she circled him once, staring before she threw her arms around him with tears. "My nephew, we all thought you dead!" When she had let go, Edmund tensed a bit before speaking.
"I wish for no special privileges, your majesties. I did not come here to claim anything. I only wished to be a musketeer and to know who I am and if I have family." Anne shook her head as she regained her composure.
"We are your family, Edmund." She turned to Louis. "Louie, your cousin." The king seemed to come out of his trance and to embrace Edmund.
"By birthright you are a marquee, and as such you receive your own land, but we will talk no more of such things for now." Edmund felt Eliza come up behind him, putting her hand on his shoulder as he had done for her earlier.
"This is what you wanted. You are no longer alone." Edmund turned back towards his family.
"I ask that the great d'Artagnan's legend never be lost." Louis waved over a servant.
"We will prepare a great monument for him and in three days will hold a state funeral with honors!" D'Artagnan and Jacqueline came closer to the royal family.
"We would be honored, your majesties," d'Artagnan stated, choking a bit as he clutched Jacqueline's hand tightly. Louis looked relieved.
"Good! It is all settled! We shall all eat and rest now!" The servant respectfully left the room to carry out the orders. A few minutes later more servants entered carrying trays of fruit and cheeses and meats. The musketeers, tired and hungry started to eat. Eliza drank a cup of wine to ease her nerves after her ordeal. The past few days had been a traumatic experience for her. Edmund sat with the king and queen, listening to them talk about his mother and her home country of Austria. Eliza watched this with a quiet ache in her heart. He was above her in station now. He would be busy with the king and queen mother and duties, and there would be no time for her any longer. She broke these thoughts off as Gerard sat next to her.
"I see you are safe, my sister." He paused, glancing at Edmund briefly. "I knew you were in good hands when we received Edmund's message."
Eliza turned to him startled slightly. "Message?" she asked, confused.
Gerard shrugged. "He sent us a message, informing us about what happened and what your plans were. He also assured us he would take you himself and protect you." Eliza broke into a small smile. It was just like Edmund to want to make sure her family knew of her situation. "He is a good musketeer, and a good man, Eliza," Gerard said, giving her a wink before getting up and joining some of the other musketeers.
Jacqueline came up from behind giving her daughter a tearful hug. "My child, we were so worried about you." Jacqueline paused trying to not let the emotion show in her tone. "I can see you can take care of yourself though." The Viscomptess stared at Edmund a minute before continuing. "Give him time, dear. He has a lot to adjust to, but he will come to you." She pulled back to leave. "You will see."
D'Artagnan strolled forward and placed a kiss on her head. "Princess, I am proud of you." He stopped a minute, feeling grief. "Your grandfather, he was proud of you too." Eliza's smile vanished.
"I miss him, father!" She started to cry. The Viscompte pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to her to wipe her face. She sniffed slightly, handing it back when she was done.
"Your grandfather, he was a good man, a great musketeer and a legend. We will not let ourselves or anyone else forget that, ever!"
Eliza hiccupped. "I missed my family too." She glanced briefly towards Edmund. "I wish to go home now."
Seeing his daughter's distress, D'Artagnan walked toward King Louie and Queen Anne. "Your majesties, with your permission, my family would like to leave and spend some time together before the funeral."
Louis stood. "Of course, d'Artagnan."
D'Artagnan glanced at Edmund. "You will always be welcome at our home," he said this for Eliza's sake. "Thank you, for everything."
Edmund stood, saluting him. "The honor of escorting and protecting your daughter was great. Tell her I will come by soon."
D'Artagnan regarded him thoughtfully. "Of course." He turned, taking his wife's hand and leaving with their children.
Author's Post Note: Yes, I know Mazarin and the Baron are alive still, don't panic. I have plans for them...you'll see... I promise.