It was next morning when a gloved hand rapped on Athos's door.

Athos opened it and a military messenger handed him a single sheet of paper, rolled and tied up with a blue ribbon.

Ten minuets later, the letter fell to the floor. Athos fell to his knees and burst into tears. The man's tears fell on the message. And these words where blurred.

"…Raoul, son of Athos, fell and died valiantly in battle."

D'Artagnan was working at his desk when a lieutenant entered.

"Sir, I have the newest causality report."

D'Artagnan looked up. He set down his pen and took it. He began scanning it but his eyes stopped. "Oh no! God, no!" He jumped up and grabbed his cloak and sword.

"Celeste? Celeste!"

Celeste turned. She was standing in one of the many palace gardens. She smiled. "Andre." The sun was shinning down on her pretty white shoulders that where shown by a off the shoulder pink and white dress. Pink roses where holding her curls back.

But Andre was not smiling. "I have bad news."

Moments later, many heads turned at the sight of the beautiful black haired girl that was running down the path, with a Musketeer hurrying after her.

D'Artagnan hurried into the stable. "Saddle my horse!"

Several grooms jumped up and went to fetch and saddle his horse.

Some young Musketeers stopped when they heard their Captain snap at the grooms to hurry. It was a rare thing indeed for him to snap. At anyone.

At the other end of the courtyard, Celeste appeared. She scanned the courtyard. "D'Artagnan!"

All heads turned. Several musketeers who where sitting, stood to their feet instantly.

D'Artagnan turned as well. "Celeste!" He started over to her.

But just then, Athos came ridding through the gate. His face was dark with anger.

Celeste's eyes went to him. "Athos!" she gasped. She grabbed her skirts up and hurried across the courtyard.

D'Artagnan stepped out to meet him as Athos reigned in his horse and jumped from the saddle. "Athos, my friend…"

Athos ignored him and went straight for the palace door.

D'Artagnan stepped in front of him. "Athos, please…"

"Athos, wait!" cried Celeste.

"Get out of my way," said Athos, his voice dangerously low.

D'Artagnan grabbed him. "Athos, I beg you…"

Athos wheeled and slammed his fist into D'Artagnan's face, knocking his over backward.

"D'Artagnan !" Celeste jumped over her fallen Uncle. "Andre, the door!" she grabbed Athos's arm. "Athos, wait!"

The young musketeers all reached for their weapons.

Andre blocked the door.

D'Artagnan jumped to his feet quickly.

"No!" cried Celeste, when she saw the other musketeers coming.
They stopped moving.

"Where are you going?' asked D'Artagnan.

Athos shook Celeste off roughly.

"To kill the King," said Athos clearly.

Instantly, every musketeer in the courtyard drew their swords.

Athos barely even glanced at them. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword but didn't draw it.

"Athos, I know life means nothing to you at this moment," said Celeste. "But I will not let you kill yourself."

"The King killed my son!"

"The cannons killed Raoul!" said D'Artagnan. "The cannons and love. But not the King."

A younger musketeer stepped forward. "Do you need me to escort him from…"

Athos spun, striking with all the speed of a rattlesnake. His sword whipped from its scabbard and sliced the ear off the musketeer. He flicked another's sword from his grasp and then brought the point of his sword beneath the chin of another, causing him to stumble back.

"Come on! All of you!" shouted Athos.

D'Artagnan tackled Athos from behind and pinned his face down in the hay.

Celeste circled the two of them. "Stop it!" she cried. "Please! Athos, listen to me!"

Athos bellowed in rage. "He killed my son, D'Artagnan! He killed my son!" He began to sob.

The look on D'Artagnan's face showed he was dying inside as he gripped Athos tighter.

The young musketeers inched forward.

Celeste, with tears in her blue eyes that would have broken a heart of a stone, whirled. "Get back! All of you!"

They backed up instantly.

Slowly D'Artagnan stood.

Athos rose, still holding his sword. He looked at D'Artagnan for a long moment, then sheathed his sword and moved to his horse.

The soldiers moved forward again.

"Let him go!" ordered D'Artagnan.

Athos swung upon to his horse. He glanced at Celeste, then galloped through the gates.

Celeste watched him go. Then she crumpled.

Andre and D'Artagnan both jumped forward. D'Artagnan caught her before she fell to the ground and held her close.

"Raoul!" she cried. "Oh Raoul, you foolish, foolish boy!"

Andre looked at her for a long moment. Something strange entered his eyes. It was a mix between hate and sadness as he moved off quietly toward the palace. He entered it and went through the hallways until he came King's rooms. He banged on the door.

There was a moment of silence. Then, "What!"

"Your Majesty, its Andre."