Many, many thanks to all my reviewers…

Evenstar Elanor… LOL! I meant "this" as in, "this situation" as opposed to "that question." Sorry for the confusion!

Sweet A.K… Yes, Aramis is back. I hope it was worth the wait (sounds like it was). You look forward to getting my updates? A writer can't ask for better praise than that!

Angoliel… You're going to scare Glorfindel again if you keep screaming like that! And no need to beg, here's an update for you.

Utsuri… I like happy readers!

Mercury Gray… Yes, the butt kicking begins. I worked the "old fool" comment in there just for you!

Chapter 23: Crossed Swords

With the smallest hint of pressure, Aramis forced Luc to back away from Natalie and Christine and down the few steps to where the lawn was flat and even. The turf felt springy under his boots, but Aramis was confident the ground would hold during his duel, for a duel was the only possible result of this confrontation. D'Artagnan stopped Athos again as he tried to move forward. Porthos joined them and put a second reassuring hand on Athos' shoulder.

"Aramis is defending your daughter, and your honor. Let this play out as it will, Athos, he is your friend," D'Artagnan whispered. "He has always been your friend."

Also watching the drama unfold was King Louis. Having just returned from speaking to the minister who had requested a moment with him, Louis was in a sheltered vantage point and no one realized he was there. One of his serving men made to announce him, but Louis held up a hand. He remembered his conversation with Natalie not many days ago. He could tell that day in the orchard that she loved someone already, and because she did, she could never love him. The man Natalie loves… It dawned on the King as he watched the two men challenge each other. Natalie's eyes never left Aramis. That man is Aramis! I should have guessed… that day Aramis and I talked about the enchanting women who had ensnared us. We were speaking of the same woman. He almost laughed for a moment as he wondered at the absurdity of the entire conversation. How awkward it would have been if either of us had called her by name that day!

"This is none of your concern, Aramis," snapped Luc, forgetting that Aramis was his superior officer in the Musketeer ranks.

"Oh, but it is my business. You are not worthy of Natalie, you cur! And although her father may resent my interference, I cannot – I will not – stand by and watch you use her as a stepping stone. You may have deceived others, but I see you clearly, Luc D'Avignon. I see you very clearly, and Natalie deserves better than you."

"Then let us settle this like Musketeers, then," snarled Luc, "and we will see who is deserving of Natalie's affections. Because of your lack of decorum with her, Athos banished you from his home and his heart, did he not?" Out of the corner of his eye, Luc could see Porthos and D'Artagnan restraining Athos. He is still angry with Aramis, thought Luc, not realizing that Athos anger was now wholly directed at him. I can still keep him swayed to my side if I eliminate Aramis. If I remove that thorn, he will surely give Natalie to me.

Aramis raised his sword in front of him in salute. He didn't think Luc deserved that honor, but so long as he wore the tunic, Aramis would treat him with respect. But once he falls, he will have less than my contempt.

Both swords were raised in the high guard. Aramis waited patiently for Luc to attack and parried his blade. He kept his responses slower than he might normally, allowing Luc to grow confident and bold. Luc pressed the attack, forcing Aramis to step back. Next to a statue, they came in close and grappled.

"Surrender, Luc, there is no point in your death," said Aramis.

"Never," said Luc. "I shall never surrender to you, nor to anyone!"

Although Aramis now considered Luc a mortal enemy, he grudgingly had to admit a certain admiration for Luc's bravado. It was a quality found in every Musketeer he'd ever met. It was a shame how that admirable quality had traversed down such dark roads in Luc's heart. Luc D'Avignon could have made a magnificent Musketeer.

The hilts of the rapiers tangled momentarily against the marble statue. The two men grappled, each trying to gain the advantage. In such close quarters it would be easy for Luc's main gauche to find a mark if he chose to use it.

"You made a mistake challenging me, you old fool," hissed Luc. The crowd gasped.

Old fool? Aramis wrested his free hand away from the tangle and landed a solid punch on Luc's jaw. The younger man staggered back, blood running from his split lip. Luc, however, regained his footing quickly, bringing his sword back up to a guard position.

"First blood toze old fool," observed Porthos casually.

Aramis' blade flashed in the sun, moving faster than most eyes could follow. Luc retreated as he fended off the hail storm of blows. In an attempt to turn the tide of the battle, Luc tried an unorthodox move that caught Aramis off guard. The point of Luc's blade bit into Aramis' arm near the shoulder. The wound wasn't deep but it bled freely.

"An excellent hit," said Aramis, acknowledging the quality of the move. Natalie was horrified – and terrified – to see the blood staining Aramis' shirt sleeve. She clutched Christine's arm in fear, but remained silent lest she distract Aramis.

Aramis and Luc lunged and feinted. They stayed at swords length and they grappled. Luc made two sweeping slashes with his blade that Aramis had to duck to dodge, but then he tried a low thrust to try catching Luc off guard. Luc parried the blow at the last minute and lunged at Aramis again. Aramis stepped to the side and grabbed the wrist of Luc's sword hand. Then he pulled. Luc's momentum in the lunge was moving him forward and he was expecting Aramis to repel him, not pull him forward. Caught off guard, Luc went flailing past Aramis, but he twisted enough to avoid taking Aramis' rapier in the ribs.

Falling to one knee, Luc scrambled up and faced Aramis again. Aramis, however, didn't give him any time and lunged in. It was time to finish this foolish charade. Aramis circled his blade around Luc's and with a sharp turn of his wrist, he sent Luc's rapier bouncing across the green garden lawn, and his own sword point bit deeply into Luc's right shoulder. Disarmed and wounded, Luc was finished.

"I do not want your life, D'Avignon," said Aramis calmly. Luc sank to his knees with Aramis' sword against his throat. He glared at Aramis but the older Musketeer could see the fear behind the bravado. "You have lost your challenge and I command you both as the victor and as your superior officer to quit the field. Your conduct in this affair has been unbecoming of a Musketeer. You are confined to the barracks until the Captain summons you."

Luc's face flushed an ugly red. Conduct unbecoming? That meant he would be stripped of his tunic and cast out from the Musketeers. He would be considered a pariah and a failure, his life ruined. Aramis turned his back on Luc and returned his rapier to its sheath. He looked up at Natalie, but his eyes did not linger long upon her. He turned again.

This time, he turned to face Athos.

Can y'all hear the drum roll…? The moment of truth is upon us! Please read & review… I really enjoy getting feedback from readers.

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.