A/N

I have promised to finish this story… I was captured by another show and by the mad pace of home office. I am sorry if you hoped for more than I am able to give you now. It's an open ending as I want to leave myself some space for more comfort for the wounded ones… and more angst for the conscious ones.

Treville

The captain closed his eyes after glancing at the report. His best men were still balancing between death and life. Rochefort was still free, his whereabouts unknown. The King seemed to be unscathed, although troubled. He ordered the Captain to remain in the palace during his recovery, but till now had not spoken a bad word about the musketeers. However, Treville met him only once, when the King came to see him. The Captain was barely conscious then, so it might have been the reason for the King's restraint.

The monarch even agreed to send doctor Lemay to the inn where musketeers had stayed after the grim report received by the Queen who was brought back by d'Artagnan as Porthos was unable to leave Aramis.

The Musketeers had failed so spectacularly. The royal pair got captured. If Treville was sentenced to death due to his incompetence he would accept the verdict. However, the King had not mentioned yet that the Captain was imprisoned.

"Don't fret his decisions. Give him time. For your own sake and for sake of your regiment", Milady whispered when she came to visit him. She was so pale.

"What's going on?", he asked looking at her green feverish eyes, "Are you unwell my Lady?"

"Everyone is unwell, Captain", she replied swiftly but her eyes betrayed the truth in her words, "The Queen is dying.", she added softly.

"How is it possible?", he asked breathlessly.

"The wound on her face has got infected…", she replied, "However, the King is rather relieved. Her death will solve his problem with his tainted wife. He cannot ask for having the marriage annulled while he wants their son to be his heir…"

"How is it possible! It's not her fault what that beast did to her!"

"If the King blamed her and treated it as infidelity she would have been already executed or exiled… Captain, there are some commoners who are able to live with their raped wives but… it's a rare situation and one must be madly in love or very dependent on their families."

"It's awful!"

"I agree with you, but the King does not."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Captain", she smiled sadly amused, "If I tell you to stay put without explaining the situation will you follow my advice? We share a quite complicated history so I've decided being honest with you is my best shot."

He had to agree with her.

"Have you any news about the Inseparables?", she asked, lowering her voice.

"Doctor Lemay should have reached them by now. How is it possible that the King let him leave while his wife is in critical condition?! She should not be alone in her final hours!"

"I left her with her maids."

"Are you at her side?!", the shock was clear in his voice.

"Captain, your own words - she shouldn't be alone. And I understand her better than any of her ladies. His Highness has voluntarily entrusted her in my care.", the words were bitter, "Please tell me about your musketeers' condition before I leave."

"According to d'Artagnan it's bad. Athos is completely unresponsive. Probably the head wound is the reason... While Aramis did not really regain consciousness caught in the feverish dreams. I should send for Constance, shouldn't I?"

Milady thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Get better, Captain, you'll be needed."

Something in her voice rang as a warning she could not voice more directly.

She left with the rustle of her expensive dress. The air still smelled with her perfumes. She was a dangerous and priceless ally. Treville felt that she may be trusted as long as he was loyal to her. He realized, with some surprise, he could give her that.

He must have fallen asleep, still recovering from wounds he had received and excessive blood loss, when a soft knock woke him up.

"Come in", he ordered.

"Captain? How do you feel?", Lemay entered. He looked tired and worried.

"How are my men?", Treville answered with his own impatient question.

"Still fighting. Unfortunately their condition doesn't allow us to transport them to Paris. I've left detailed instructions. Constance is more and more experienced with nursing. I'll also send my apprentice there. He's a talented young man."

"I am afraid Constance is needed here, at Queen's side."

Lemay lowered his gaze.

"What's going on, Doctor?"

"The Queen won't survive till the morning. It's too late to send for Constance. I am sorry…"

"How?! Why are you here…?"

"King's orders."

"May I see her?"

"I am sorry, it's impossible."

Treville was not surprised by this answer. His heart ached for the young monarch.

It will kill Aramis…

If Aramis dies Porthos will follow him soon.

Athos will find death in wine and d'Artagnan…

Is Constance enough to save him?

"Captain?", Lemay was eyeing him worriedly.

"We've failed her", Treville whispered brokenly. This he could say aloud. Nobody could deny their failure., "And she paid with her life for our mistakes… Why?! Hasn't she suffered enough?! Why is fate so cruel to her?!"

Lemay posed his hand on Captain's shoulder. There was nothing he could say. So they were grieving in silence, sitting together in the decorated palace chamber. Treville missed the simplicity of his own room in garrison. After so many years of his service he felt a stranger in the Palace everytime he had to be here as an inhabitant not as a guard.

Treville drafted away in memories of moments shared with the young Queen. All those hours he spent on guarding her, on listening to her suggestions softly whispered to the King. A few more private conversations… A whirlpool of terrifying last weeks. He could not imagine the palace without her noble presence. He could not imagine the King rule without her sympathy for her people.

At dawn the church bells announced the Queen's death.

A servant came with King's order for Treville. He was given an hour to make himself presentable and was expected to meet his monarch. Lemay excused himself and Treville was grateful for being left alone as much as he was grateful for his company during the night. The Captain was ready to receive a death sentence.

It will be a fair decision. I hope my men won't be executed alongside. They did their best. But it was too little. We have failed.

He followed a servant who was waiting behind his door. His body was betraying him. He could only hope he would not faint. It would be a shame.

After a road which seemed to last an eternity they finally reached the room. It was a part of royal chambers. The servant opened the door and left in a hurry.

Treville bowed deeply, when in the dim room he saw the King sitting on the chair.

"Sit down before you fall", the monarch ordered.

Treville obeyed.

Louis was in mourning clothes however his eyes were clear and determined. This was not a gaze of a man who had cried.

"Treville, you must obey me. You cannot pose questions. You have simply to accept what will happen and what you are told. I trust you and you cannot fail me. Am I clear?"

Never had Treville expected to hear such words this day.

"I am to serve you, Your Highness", he replied solemnly.

"Good. I need you to take care of your young cousin. She is a spurious child of your long dead sister."

Treville drove his nails into his hand hard to reassure himself he was not caught in a feverish nightmare. He understood nothing from the King's solemn monologue.

Treville's sister died many years ago during childbirth. The child soon followed her. Never has he heard about any love affair before her marriage. However he left home for soldiering when she was fifteen as he rarely had the possibility to return to his family, it was possible for their mother and sister to hide her unwanted pregnancy. It was quite improbable but possible. Although the fact that the King was telling him that story the day after the Queen's death made it highly impossible.

"She'll be welcome at my home", he replied.

"I suggest you treat her as your daughter"

Doctor Lemay, the draught you've given me has a really strong and strange influence on me. I must tell you to avoid it. It's the weirdest dream I ever had. I'd say I prefer my typical nightmares. They are predictable somehow.

"As you order.", he answered, becoming more and more confused.

"Treat her well. She deserves it."

The King is truly preoccupied. If he wants this person to be my niece she's too old to be his child from an extramarital affair. What's going on?

"I gave her a residence. The same your men recovered last time. If she dies childless it will return to the state. If not, her children will inherit it. I guarantee her pension till the end of her life. She was seriously hurt performing her duty to France."

Maybe he needs to get rid of his lover who is with his child. In the current situation it will be a wise move. So, am I uncle to Milady? Athos will be thrilled with that. If he wakes up… She seemed unwell when I saw her. Is she really hurt or is she just pregnant? She knew that something was up and tried to warn me.

"Sire, I am grateful that you have taken care of a poor but loyal woman. It is so mindful and kind of you. I'll do my best to protect her and guarantee her a life she earned with her loyalty towards you."

"Very well.", the King stood up and opened the door leading to another room.

"Rousane, come here", he ordered.

The captain managed to stand up and ignored that the dim room was covered with blackness for a few moments. Thankfully he did not lose his balance. He was physically and emotionally drained.

There was a rustle of the material and a slender silhouette appeared clothed in a black simple dress. Her face was hidden behind dark hair.

"My lady, I am honored to meet my late sister's daughter. Forgive me I was unaware of your existence.", Treville curtsied.

"Thank you, Captain. I am grateful for your generosity.", came the shy reply but the voice was so well known to him. He breathed in loudly.

"Please sit down, I know you're hurt", she added quickly.

He obliged without waiting for the King's permission but he was quite sure he would not remain standing.

"Talk now and then forget about everything", the King ordered.

"We've come to this decision together. It's the best one we could reach after… Lemay is sure I am maimed for life", she whispered, uncovering her heavily bandaged face, "the King could have sent me away to a convent but we decided... he decided that it's better to be free. Will you help me, Captain?", she asked, her voice small.

She had been crying for many hours, her eyes red, puffy and desperate. She was losing everything - her whole life, her motherhood, her status, the world she knew. And she had already lost her beauty. And her beloved was at the death door.

"It's time to go home, Rousane.", he said, his voice thick with grief.

THE END

A/N Maybe there will be a sequel. Please don't kill me!