All Hail the Reviewer Mavens…

Utsuri… You're going to have to deal with some more suspense. We're not quite at the story's climax yet. Close, but not yet.

Angoliel… Wow, high praise from you and your muse. Glad you liked it. Like I said before, I think it is my favorite paragraph. (and I know we addressed the "ze" question offline)

Mercury Gray… There will be no clubbing of my Aramis, sorry. He's got enough going on in that head of his without scrambling his brains.

Evenstar Elanor… Geez, you don't cut Natalie any slack. She has one piffle of a tantrum and she's the annoying spoiled girl forever in your eyes? I knew you'd like Jacques tho… and you say I never write nice guy characters that you like.

Chapter 21: Athos Enlightened

Athos was not in the offices where D'Artagnan expected to find him. The Musketeer captain cursed his ill luck and unfortunate timing. A young serving maid happened by as he left.

"Where is Athos?" D'Artagnan demanded, frustrated.

"I saw him a short time ago, heading out to the terrace, Monsieur," she stammered.

"Thank you…" D'Artagnan started to walk away and then turned back. He gave her a brief bow and tipped his hat. "And my apologies for my curt tone of voice, mademoiselle, for you are not the source of my vexation."

Athos was leaning on the terrace railing, his arms folded on the wide flat panel of marble. Everywhere in Versailles the windows and terraces seemed to open onto wonderful gardens or groves of fruit trees. It reminded him of his country house and he missed it, but while they were not home, the gardens here brought him a great deal of pleasure. Lost in his thoughts, Athos did not hear D'Artagnan approach.

"My friend?"

Athos turned and smiled. "Ah, D'Artagnan. Come; join me in a moment of reflection. Or, rather, a moment to wallow. I find myself suddenly befuddled; time and my life have both flown so rapidly. I did not see how they had slipped past me clearly until lately. I am suddenly taken with the realization that I have grown old."

"Ah, your soul was old when I met you, Athos. Since then you have grown young again!"

Athos couldn't help but laugh. He had been in a very dark time of his life when he'd met D'Artagnan. The Captain of the Musketeers had seen Athos at near his lowest, and had seen him come back to life.

"We all grow old, D'Artagnan. All of us. Many of those I love have left me… Josette, my little Alexandrine. Raoul lost to the wars. And soon my Natalie will leave me too, although, thank God, it will not be Death who takes her away from me."

D'Artagnan joined him at the edge of the terrace. "I think we are about to discuss the same thing. I assume you have recently spoken to Luc D'Avignon?"

"Yes, he was with me a short time ago. He has asked for Natalie's hand."

"And what did you say?" asked D'Artagnan with some caution.

"I told him he had my permission to ask her, but I want to know how she feels…" Athos turned a keen eye on D'Artagnan. The Musketeer Captain did not ask idle or thoughtless questions.

She is a bright girl; hopefully, she will be wise enough to refuse this proposal, thought D'Artagnan. "As your friend, Athos, I think you should reconsider. Luc D'Avignon is not someone you would want marrying your daughter."

"No? You have said he is a good soldier…"

"But I also told you I did not know him personally. Some information has come to my attention recently. Information that has made me question his worth as a Musketeer."

"Say on…" Athos was frowning now.

D'Artagnan took a deep breath. "He's been seen mistreating a woman recently. Striking her."

"He was violent with my daughter?" Athos nearly exploded.

"No!" said D'Artagnan. "Not with Natalie. A young woman at Madame Blanchefleur's. Porthos witnessed it, so I know it is true. And I fear that he will bring that same behavior to his marriage. I was also approached by another Musketeer about him. A young man whom I trust and think has an excellent future."

"And what did this upstanding young man have to say?"

"He says that Luc is embroiled in many court intrigues, including machinations that will bring him closer to the center of power. Closer to the King…"

"By becoming my son-in-law…" Athos' face started to turn red. "I have been blind… He has used my anger with Aramis against me! D'Avignon has tried to take advantage of Natalie and of me, and he will answer for it." Athos put his hand on his sword as he spoke.

"Then let us go put a stop to this, Athos. Let us put a stop to it while there is still time."

This was a short one, but I thought it was important to get Athos involved here. There are only a few chapters left, so stay tuned! I promise another chapter soon.

Disclaimer: The only things I can truly claim as my own are Natalie, Jacques, 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.