Shout outs to my gallery of Muses...
Mercury Gray… Thanks for the French grammar tip… and it isn't a reminder… I never took French so everything I'm doing is a guess at best.
Evenstar Elanor… Maybe you're just not looking hard enough for a young man to like. Someone may come to your attention. And yes, rushing into anything can be a bad idea, but we shall see.
Utsuri… You'll have to continue to read to see if Athos clues in to Luc or if Luc will turn on the charm…
Angoliel… All I can say is don't count Aramis out yet.
Sweet A.K… Perhaps you will get your wish. Keep reading to find out…!
Chapter 13: A Dragon Within
Aramis was in a hurry. The King had summoned his advisors and word had reached Aramis late. He'd ridden hard to reach Versailles in time. He walked quickly down the hall, paying no attention to the sculptures and paintings that adorned the walls. Turning a corner he went outside through some glass doors. The sheltered trellis walk would get him to the King's suite faster than the main halls.
A peal of laughter froze him in his tracks. He drew closer to the vine-laden trellis, as a lady's laugh floated through the air. From his sheltered area, Aramis could see three young courtiers chatting animatedly with Natalie and Christine. His throat felt dry. Two of the men were obviously vying for Natalie's attention and Aramis frowned deeply, feeling nothing less than a dragon uncoil in his heart. A few moments later, both Natalie and Christine stood up. Two young dandies both offered Natalie their arms. She hesitated and then took both of them and the group strolled off.
How dare they? The presumptuous little peacocks! Natalie's… Aramis stopped himself short of the word "mine." The acid churn of jealousy twisted in his stomach and he felt flush. Forcing his fists to unclench, Aramis turned back down the marble hall. The King had summoned him and to the King he must go.
She looks sad, he thought as he hurried down the hall. And I am the cause of that sadness. If I had just left well enough alone; if I had only stayed away that night. What was I thinking that night in the garden? I wasn't thinking, that's what happened. I let the moonlight and the moment cloud my reason. I should have gone to Athos that very day, and not waited to think on it. I should have just asked.
His thoughts were cut short when he arrived at his destination: King Louis' private suites. Inside he knew the others would be waiting. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the doors open after nodding to the guard who stood at attention outside.
"Aramis!" said Louis. "Come in, come in. You've been away from Versailles for too long."
After a bow of respect for the King, Aramis looked at the others. Porthos and D'Artagnan smiled and nodded in greeting. Athos just stared at him levelly and coolly, and then returned to his paper. The chill between them did not go unnoticed by Louis, but he said nothing.
"I'm pleased to have all of my trusted advisors together again," said the King. "It has been too long since we've all taken counsel."
They spend several hours deep in conversation and counsel. The ambassador from Spain had been contentious and they spent a great deal of time talking about that. The Musketeers also reported to the King on the condition of the army, and some information that had been uncovered about England's intentions on the continent. During the entire session, Athos and Aramis remained cool. Athos kept a civil tongue, but several times, Louis paused to watch the two men. The King looked in askance at D'Artagnan but his Captain gave a subtle shake of the head. Louis chose to follow D'Artagnan's advice.
Finally King Louis said, "Before we conclude, I wish for Aramis to go to Spain. There is information waiting there that will give us some much needed insights into our conniving Spanish ambassador. You will leave in the morning. In this note is the name of the town and where you will obtain the information. After you have memorized its contents, burn it."
Athos smiled to himself. He had prepared that note for the King, and he had recommended Aramis be the one to carry out the mission. The smile faded as guilt crept in; having Aramis gone from court for three weeks was exactly what Athos wanted, but to have to manipulate his departure like this…
Am I holding too much of a grudge, he wondered momentarily. But Athos still could not entirely escape the memory of Aramis kissing his daughter the same way he'd seen Aramis kiss other lovers. When Aramis returns from Spain, we will talk about what has happened between us. Perhaps it is not too late to repair the rift. By then I will have Natalie betrothed to someone; there are enough young men showing an interest in her.
"As you wish, Majesty," said Aramis. "I will not fail you."
Despite the King's statement that they were concluding their discussion, they continued evaluating matters of state for another hour. Aramis was restless to leave but he schooled his expression well; it would be unseemly and rude to want to leave the King's presence prematurely. Finally, Louis rubbed his eyes.
"I think we're finished for tonight," he said. "I've kept you all for far too long."
"Yes, your Majesty," said D'Artagnan. He was the first to stand and bow and the other three followed suit. They turned to leave when the King added, "Aramis, remain for a moment."
Aramis stopped in the doorway and watched for a moment as Porthos and D'Artagnan firmly guided Athos away from the King's chambers.
"What goes ill between you and Athos?" asked Louis after he was certain the others had gone. "I always thought you the closest of friends."
"Even in friendship there can be disagreements, your Majesty," answered Aramis.
"Disagreements?"
Aramis' face clouded. He did not want to share his story, but it was the King who was asking. Finally he said, "We have quarreled over a woman."
"Ah," said Louis. "It seems that money, power and women are the things men quarrel about most. It hasn't taken me long to learn that."
Aramis offered Louis a wry smile. Louis had been very naïve when he took the throne and observing the behaviors at court had given him many lessons in the true ways of the world.
"I, too, have found my thoughts dwelling on a woman," said Louis.
"Sire?"
"Someday I will need an heir, which means I must begin to think of taking a wife. I met a woman who is refreshingly charming, and I find myself thinking of her often. Is the woman your heart seeks the same?"
"Yes," said Aramis, wondering who the King had noticed. "She has a lightness about her that makes me feel like a young man again." He looked out the window at the trees.
"But you are lucky, Aramis. You can marry for love. As D'Artagnan has reminded me, it is not simply my heart that must be satisfied when I marry, but the safety and future of France. Most likely I will find a wife through keen negotiation and when we meet we will be strangers. I regret that I will not be able to court and woo a wife the way most men do."
Aramis felt his heart go out to the young King. Louis was right; he would have to marry for France, not for love. "Perhaps there is a suitable woman in France to be your Queen, your Majesty. Someone you could court and love. We have not yet begun that search. What of this charming young lady you have noticed?"
Louis smiled. "Perhaps, but I think I am more infatuated with the thought of her. I don't know how well she would withstand the rigors of court if she were Queen. I would hate to see her charm and beauty fade because she became trapped in a cage. I think she would be more suited for someone like you, Aramis. Ah, but my thoughts and my tongue ramble. Mend your quarrel with Athos, Aramis. I wish my Musketeers to be whole and united."
"As do I, King Louis. As do I."
Louis waved Aramis away and the Musketeer walked quickly down the hall. He was weary to the bone and there was still time to have a hot bath drawn before retiring for the night. As he walked he thought about what the King had said.
Louis is right. I am lucky that I can court a woman and not have to marry for politics or wealth or advantage. And he is right too, that I must mend this rift with Athos. We have been friends too long to allow that friendship to crumble away. I will talk to him when I return from Spain and we will settle this foolishness.
Aramis turned a corner to head towards the set of rooms reserved for him when he was in residence at Versailles and nearly walked into Christine and Natalie.
"Aramis!" said Natalie.
For a moment, Aramis did not speak, he just stared at Natalie. Dear God, he thought, feeling his heart catch, how can I pretend that I don't love her? "Mademoiselle Natalie…" he finally said.
Christine watched the two of them and her mouth formed a round "o" as the truth dawned on her. This is the man you love, Natalie? No wonder your father was furious. Aramis is – was – his best friend! He could be your father.
"I have not seen you of late," Natalie said. "You promised you would visit me here at Versailles."
"My duty to the King has kept me busy; I regret deeply that I have disappointed you."
"My father is looking for a husband for me…" She looked up at Aramis. The sad look in Natalie's eyes made Aramis' heart ache even more. Her expression was clear: please speak to him again, please. To the side, Christine felt as if she was intruding, but she couldn't – she wouldn't – leave Natalie there alone. That would only make things worse if the wrong people saw them.
"I know he is," said Aramis softly, sadly. "The King is sending me to Spain; I leave on the 'morrow and won't return for another three weeks."
"But that is an eternity," said Natalie. A tear escaped down his cheek.
"We must go. Natalie we cannot linger here," Christine said softly and her voice broke the enchantment between the two. Aramis flinched and then looked sidelong at Christine.
"Please," begged Natalie. "Do not tell Papa about this. Christine, please tell me that you'll keep my secret!"
"Nothing untoward happened here," said Christine, "so there is nothing to tell your father."
"Thank you," said Aramis. On impulse, he reached into a glass vase that rested on a small carved table which was tucked in a tiny alcove in the hallway. He pulled out one of the roses and reached out towards Natalie; with the soft petals he caressed her cheek. Then, as she took the stem, he gently took her hand and kissed it.
"Until I return," he said softly. Then he turned and disappeared down the hall.
I have a few days off from work so hopefully I can get a good bit of work done on this story. Please read/review and let me know what you think… As always, I enjoy hearing what you like, but I'm open to constructive reviews too (but please make them constructive!).
Disclaimer: The only things I can truly claim as my own are Natalie and Luc (and a few minor supporting characters). Everything else is borrowed with much respect and admiration for Dumas and the people who created various movie versions of the Musketeers.