Shout outs…
Evenstar Elanor… Before you decide you want Luc, learn a little more about him. Trust me on this one. Glad you liked the Jedi comparison for the HP discussion we were having.
Mercury Gray… Keen and perceptive woman. You've got Luc's measure.
Angoliel… (felf takes a bow)I do love it when I can please readers, and that this chapter was "Squee" worthy! Although, if Aramis is going to be bringing me flowers and kissing my hand, it is going to be very, very difficult to concentrate. Very difficult… sigh. Oh, sorry. Back now.
Utsuri… You'll have to keep reading the story to see what may or may not become of Natalie and Luc.
Chapter 11: Corner Table
Two hours after the reception at court began, D'Artagnan and Porthos walked into a small, out of the way tavern some distance from Versailles. D'Artagnan wore a slight look of disgust on his face. Aramis lounged in the corner of the little tavern, his feet up on the table and a half-empty bottle of wine in front of him.
"I asked Athos if he'd seen you, and he said if you ever came within sight of him again, he would run you through with his sword, Musketeer or no Musketeer. After such a falling out, I figured we would find you here, soaking in a bottle of wine."
Porthos took some of the wine and tried a swallow. He nodded in approval. "At least he chooses to wallow in excellent wine and not mere swill."
Both men pulled up chairs and sat. While Porthos gestured for some more wine glasses, Aramis took his feet down from the table.
"What are you and Athos fighting about now?" asked D'Artagnan.
"Nothing."
"Ho, ho," chuckled Porthos. "Then if it is nothing, then it must be a woman, no?" He gave Aramis a mischievous glance. Of all of them, his and Aramis' affection for women had been the most prominent, although his sojourn as a priest had tempered Aramis' romantic adventures somewhat.
"Is it?" asked D'Artagnan. He didn't like dissention within the Musketeers, especially among his close friends.
"You have both found a beautiful, wealthy widow and you are vying for her affections? This will make a most exciting adventure, don't you think?" Porthos was relentless and finally Aramis began to acquiesce.
"Well, yes, it is about a woman…"
"Then we can certainly resolve this," began D'Artagnan.
"No. No, I'm not sure that we can. Athos and I are both in love with this woman, but in very, very different ways."
"Then what is ze problem?" snorted Porthos. "Perhaps you can share? That is not an unheard of solution."
"You never take anything seriously, do you?" growled D'Artagnan.
"No," said Porthos. "If I did, I would be old and sour like you…" He swallowed down the last of his wine and refilled his glass.
D'Artagnan ignored the jibe and turned his attention back to the forlorn Aramis. "Aramis, I cannot, for the life of me, imagine any woman in the universe who could so violently come between you and Athos…"
"Natalie could."
Porthos choked on his next taste of wine and began to cough. "Natalie? Mademoiselle Natalie? Petite Natalie, who I would carry on my shoulders so she could pick ze apples in her father's orchard?" He sputtered again.
For his part, D'Artagnan shook his head slowly. "Of all the women in France, you've chosen to be besotted with your best friend's daughter?"
"It wasn't really a choice," muttered Aramis through another swig of wine. "I saw her a few weeks ago and I just… It just… Another bottle over here!" He slapped his palm on the table twice.
"But you are like an uncle to her," said Porthos. "Like me, you have known her since she was a tiny girl!"
"You are the only one she has ever called Uncle, Porthos. She never used that term for me… or for D'Artagnan for that matter. And once she is safely married to a suitable man, I will make my apologies to Athos and beg his forgiveness for my insanity. Then I will endeavor to never see Natalie again, lest I rekindle any shame she suffered because of me."
D'Artagnan sighed. If only it would be that simple. A few hours later D'Artagnan left Aramis and Porthos at the tavern. They were singing bawdy songs, which had at least drawn Aramis out of his black mood. He rode back to Versailles as quickly as he could and went looking for Athos.
"So tell me," he said when he finally found him, "has this been your plan all along?"
"My plan?" Athos raised an eyebrow.
"You bring Natalie to court, introduce her to the King. Do you want your daughter to be the Queen of France?"
Athos looked blankly at D'Artagnan for a second. The Queen? "Oh for the love of God. I brought Natalie to Versailles to find her a husband, yes. That the King might take an interest in her?" He paused. "Although…"
"Put that thought from your mind," cautioned D'Artagnan. "I think the King may have to marry for politics rather than love."
"True. But here I can find Natalie a husband who will take care of her. I will not be here forever."
"And what of the suitor who already wishes for her hand?"
Athos knew as soon as the question was asked that D'Artagnan had spoken with Aramis. "Aramis is no suitor!" Athos stood up abruptly. "He is a seducer and a rogue. I found him at my home, in my garden… It was in the dark of night, and he had his hands on my daughter. He was kissing her. And he would have done more had I not stopped him."
"Athos, you don't know that for certain. Aramis is your friend…"
"No longer! No friend of mine would treat my daughter like that!"
He is guilty of poor judgment, old friend, but from what you have said he did not treat Natalie badly… "You're going to have to put some of your anger aside, Athos," he said.
"Why?" Athos' voice was cold and snide.
"Because he is one of the King's advisors, just as you are and just as I am. If you must feud then do so away from here because if you allow this to cloud your judgment when it comes to advising King Louis, you will answer to me. Do you understand me, Athos?"
"Yes," he grumbled.
Well, that's it for now… another chapter will be coming soon. Hope you're still enjoying the romp as much as I am…
Disclaimer: Only Natalie and Luc are my creations. Everything else is borrowed for inspiration with much gratitude and respect.