Anne

Constance lay motionless on the table. Her friend had taken a blade meant for her, and had been seriously wounded in the process. The redhead should have never been forced to make such a choice. She was not a soldier. She was not a guard, nor a musketeer. Or was she? Suddenly, the Queen was not sure what her friend was. Perhaps Constance was a musketeer. Treville sometimes acted like she was.

Anne gently washed her friend's face with a wet cloth, biting her lip to keep from crying. Constance's skin was cold and clammy. Her lips were slightly parted, and she appeared to be barely breathing.

There was a knock on the door. Anne quietly gave permission for the visitor to enter. She knew that at least one musketeer was guarding the door. Only those closest to her would be allowed into the room. Treville came in, and inclined his head.

"The King is asking for you. I was ordered to escort you to him."

The memories of the accusations she had made regarding Rochefort came flooding back into her mind, and she closed her eyes for a moment. She had not been honest with Louis upon her return. He was likely to be be very angry with her.

"She cannot be left alone," the Queen said.

"I have asked Etienne to keep vigil by her bedside," the musketeers' leader replied. After casting one last glance at her friend, Anne followed him. Constance's stillness frightened her.

"How is the King?" she asked.

"These events have shaken him. He trusted Rochefort."

"Do you think I have made a mistake?'

"I am not sure. If not for your actions, the comte would have evaded any accusations…."

She wanted to scold Treville for not informing her about Aramis, but she knew there was no real reason for him to tell her—and it would not be seemly for her to be so interested in a musketeer's wellbeing.

"Captain." A musketeer stopped them, bowing hastily to the Queen.

What does he know? Does he despise me?

"What is wrong?" Anne asked.

"A man named Bonacieux is making a scene. He is demanding to see his wife."

"Please put him in one of the small reception rooms. I will speak with him later. Do not allow him access to Constance."

The man smiled. "With pleasure, Your Majesty." He bowed, then left.

As they neared their destination, Anne glanced at Treville. "I will need your help, Captain." She prayed that Treville would not press her for details. There was no time for that now. They walked past the guard standing in front of the King's chamber.

"Wait for me here, Captain." Anne summoned up her most regal expression, and knocked lightly on the door. She entered after receiving permission, and made a slight bow.

"You asked for me, Sire."

"Yes." Louis sat on the chaise longue. He looked small, and incredibly young, His face was slightly swollen, and his eyes were red from crying.

He sniffled, and patted the place next to him. "Anne… sit here, please."

She obeyed, although it felt very uncomfortable to be so close to him.

The King sighed heavily. "You have no idea how hard this has been for me. Rochefort—I trusted him… I liked him. He was smart and energetic—always positive… I felt that he was a gift from God, sent to console me after Richelieu's untimely demise… but he turned out to be thief of the worst sort. He tried to steal my wife from me! I can accept that he was a Spanish spy, but how dare he touch you?!"

Anne shivered, and bowed her head. Louis did not even seem to notice, and continued to ramble on. "As King, I am obliged to have more children with you. But after this, how am I supposed to perform my husbandly duties?" His voice wavered, and he cleared his throat. "When I think of what he did, it makes me feel physically ill. He took you, the Queen of France—- my Queen—to his bed!"

Anne felt her composure slipping. Louis was in despair. She had been so caught up in her own fear that she had not stopped to consider how her husband might be affected.

"Sire…"

"Will you bear his child?" he asked brutally.

"I don't know. I hope not." Anne knew that for the moment, there was no reason to panic. She had to trust in the draughts Constance had made for her, and believe that they would work.

"You are aware if such a child were to be born, I'd have to order that it be killed immediately? Especially if it's a boy? Damn this traitor! He has put me in a such a disturbing situation. I am a merciful, generous King! I do not want to be put into a position where I am forced to order the death of a newborn baby!"

He sniffed, then looked up at her, his eyes filling with tears. "You knew him before. Was he always like that? Or was he broken in prison? I cannot bear the thought of such a thing ever happening again. Should I give an order for all retrieved prisoners to be executed?"

Anne struggled to take in a breath. She knew that she could not interrupt a royal monologue, but he was close to making some hasty decisions—one of which could mean a death sentence for the musketeers she was so fond of.

And for the musketeer I love...who miraculously is still alive.

He straightened, and seemed to have come to a decision. "I cannot take the risk. I must arrest all musketeers who have been captured by our enemies in the past."

"But Sire, that would leave us unprotected. These musketeers are people whom you chose personally. I refuse to believe that your judgement was so wrong."

"But I also chose Rochefort—-and I gave him power."

"You were overcome by grief, my King."

"That is true—but I just cannot accept that he betrayed my trust in such a savage way! He chose to commit adultery with my own queen...my wife…"

Anne looked at him, unable to believe her ears. "He chose to rape your wife!" She felt detached from reality. She desperately needed him to understand what had happened. The idea that she chosen of her own free will to betray her husband with Rochefort made her feel sick.

The King stared back at her, clearly shocked.

"I feel sorry for you," he mumbled.

You're wrong. The only person you feel sorry for is yourself.

"How is Constance?" His question surprised her.

"Time will tell," she replied sadly.

She saw a glint of compassion in her husband's eyes.

"Do you wish to stay by her side?"

"Yes, Sire."

"Then let it be so." Through his tears, he gave her a weak smile. "I just hope that Milady will be able to help me through my pain."

The queen knew that she had been dismissed. She did not love her husband, but his indifference was nonetheless painful.

She withdrew from his rooms to find Treville waiting for her.

They did not return to Constance. Instead, Anne asked him to accompany her to the room where Jacques was being held. She entered without knocking, and Treville followed her. A startled Bonacieux gave her an awkward bow.

"I heard my wife was injured. How is that possible?! I must see her! I need to take her home where she belongs!"

Anne silenced him with a regal wave of her hand. "Your wife saved my life. She will remain here, under the care of my physician. I do not trust you, Monsieur. I was told you were in a conspiracy with Rochefort."

"Your Majesty, he was the Prime Minister! How could I refuse his orders?"

"Nevertheless, you were actively plotting against me. You tried to take my protector away from me."

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, my wife was never meant to be your protector!"

The man was close to tears, but Anne did not feel merciful. She waited in silence for a few moments, watching as beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. Finally, she spoke.

"You are a simple man, and I can see that it may have been quite easy for Rochefort to deceive you. I have decided to be lenient, but I cannot risk you taking Constance away from me. So I will give you some money, and you will disappear. You will be declared dead, and you will start a new life in Spain or England. However, if you attempt to return to France, I will have you executed. Have I made myself clear?"

"You cannot! You have no right!"

"That statement is treason, Monsieur," she replied coldly. "Captain, arrest him!" She was desperate to give Constance her freedom, but she did not want to have to kill Bonacieux. He was stupid, but clearly innocent of any crime against the state.

"No! Please, have mercy!" he begged, falling to his knees.

"Wait here for the money—and make sure you never come back." Anne's firm tone of voice made it clear that she expected nothing but absolute obedience. She left, and the Captain followed her.

As they walked down the corridor, he asked, "Is this a good idea, my Queen?"

"Short of her husband dying, it's the only way Constance ever be able to marry d'Artagnan," she replied. "Jean, she nearly died because of me. She still may die." Her voice was almost pleading now. She needed for him to understand. "I must find some way to repay her for her sacrifice!"

The Captain merely nodded. He waited while Anne went into her chambers to retrieve some gold. She allowed Treville to accompany her back to Constance's room. He did not protest when she asked him to give the purse to Bonacieux.

"How is she?" she asked Etienne. He sat on a low stool next to the bed.

"No change, Your Majesty," he replied sadly.

Why hasn't Lemay returned? We need him now more than ever! The musketeers are in desperate need of his aid. Porthos is badly wounded, and Aramis is devastated… Aramis… I should talk to him. I need to see him. I need to get to the garrison somehow.Milady. Milady can help me. No! I cannot trust her! How would I explain why I need to go there?!

A soft whimper woke her from her reveries.

"Constance?" She leaned over her friend.

The wounded woman whimpered once again, her face crumpling in pain.

"Shhh… I'll give you something to ease your pain," Anne whispered. Etienne handed her a draught.

Constance shrank from the Queen's touch, her head lolling to the side.

"D'Artagnan," she whispered helplessly.

Anne gently stroked her hair.

"You're safe. He'll be back soon, I promise."

The redhead's eyelids fluttered, but she did not open her eyes.

"You must drink." Anne gave Etienne an awkward glance. He seemed to understand. Taking the draught, he started to spoon the liquid into Constance's mouth. Although she was barely conscious, he proceeded with patience, his movements sure and experienced.

A/NI am extremely sorry for my delay. I promise - I will finish this story but I need more time to do it.First time I post from the ff application - I hope it will work.