D'Artagnan froze. All the color drained from his face.

Celeste looked at him. She turned and slipped out of the room. She ran down the halls and burst into Anne's room.

Anne was sitting by the window, her head leaning against the glass. She whirled. "What…"

"They caught him. Louis has him!" Celeste turned and ran from the room.

Anne stared at the spot where she had been a moment ago. She was frozen with shock. But her mind was screaming one word. "No!"

Celeste slipped back into the room.

Louis turned and looked at Phillippe. He was enraged by the sight of his brother, standing there, dressed his royal robes. He jumped forward and began ripping the garments from Phillippe.

Celeste shoved her Uncle. "Stop them!"

D'Artagnan forced himself between Louis and Phillippe, his face pale. Oh God, what had he done? Finally, he got them apart and stared at the two of them. "I thought…I thought he was but…an imposter who resembled…"

"My twin," said Louis. "That fact kept him alive. Until now."

The doors burst open. "No!" Anne ran into the room. She hurried to the space between her sons and hugged Phillippe tightly.

Phillippe looked at her and slowly his arms went around her.

She turned and tried to hug Louis. "Louis, please!"

"My guards are useless!" shouted Louis, stepping back. "Take her from me!"

The younger musketeers slowly moved forward and reluctantly took her arms and pulled her back.

"Let her go!" cried Celeste.

The guards instantly let her go.

Louis glared at them but turned on his mother. "What had you to do with this, Mother?"

"He is your brother!"

"He is nothing now!" Louis grabbed a sword from the scabbard of one of the younger musketeers.

D'Artagnan stepped in between him and Phillippe. "Your majesty…this man before you…He is royal blood, the same as you. To spill it is the one thing even you cannot do. It is against the laws of God and of France." He was desperate. To keep that young man alive…

"Get out of my way!" hissed Louis.

Anne clung to Celeste's arm. And Celeste clung to her as well.

"Not once have I ever asked anything for myself," said D'Artagnan desperately. "I ask now. Forgive this man…your brother."

"Forgive!"

"Aramis, Porthos and Athos too. I know what they have done was a threat against you…and yet that threat has been removed, with no harm coming to your Majesty. If their passions were in error, their spirits have ever been noble. Forgive them."

"They have plotted against me! Me! The embodiment of God's will!" shouted Louis.

D'Artagnan fell to his knees.

Celeste turned away and buried her head in Anne's shoulder. She began to sob.

"Your Majesty…everyday of your life, I have watched over you. No angel could have stood a more faithful vigil. I have bled for you! And I have prayed, every day, to see you become greater than your office, better than the law. Show me now what my faith and blood has purchased. Show mercy."

The words cut to the heart of every person in that room. Anne, Celeste, Phillippe and the younger musketeers. But Louis's eyes where cold as he spoke. "You would take the side of traitors?"

"Please, may I speak?" Phillippe stepped forward. "I beg that you kill me. I release you, before Almighty God from any claim of sin in taking my life. In fact, I will pray that God reward you for your mercy to do it. But do not, I beg you, return me to the prison where I have lived so long."

"No!" wailed Anne and she would have fallen to her knees if Celeste hadn't grabbed her.

Phillippe's words made Louis pause for a long moment. Then he smiled and stared into Phillippe's eyes. "D'Artagnan, you and Celeste will hunt down Aramis, Porthos and Athos, and bring me their heads." He turned and looked at D'Artagnan. "Or I will have both of yours and Celeste's." He glanced at Celeste. "And Celeste's will be taken right in front of you, D'Artagnan. So help me God." He turned to Philippe. "And as for you, Phillippe, back to the prison you shall go. And into the mask you hate."

"No, Louis!" cried Anne. "Please, no!"

"Louis, don't do this," warned Celeste. She knew now without a shadow of a doubt what King she served. And she would give her life to see him on the throne. No matter how high the cost.

"Wear it until you love it!" screamed Louis. "And then die in it!"

Anne screamed.

Louis waved at the guards.

They stepped forward and took Anne from Celeste and drew her from the room as gently as they could.

Celeste stared at Louis, something unreadable in her eyes.

D'Artagnan sagged on his knees before the King he had served so faithfully since he had been born.

Celeste swallowed and raised her chin as she held Louis's gaze. She stepped forward and touched her Uncle's shoulder.

He didn't move.

She knelt. "Come, D'Artagnan," she said softly.

Slowly he stood and left the room without a backward glance.