A/N: Words are being written, this story isn't over, promise.
Ellie groaned as Brujon shook her awake, burying her head under her pillow. "Go away."
Brujon chuckled as he kissed her cheek, "come on, we're on patrol this morning with Constance to get food."
Ellie sat up and glared at him. "You are, I'm not."
Brujon sat down on the bed next to her, smiling. "But we do it together."
"Seriously?" Ellie asked. Brujon nodded and she groaned again. "Fine, give me ten minutes and a comb."
"You get five and a comb," Brujon replied, disappearing out the door as she threw a pillow at his back.
~ 0 ~
Ellie chuckled as a disgruntled D'Artagnan stormed down the stairs and towards the cart. "You get forced into this too?"
"She said we were spending the morning together," he moaned as he jumped on the back behind.
"Well, you are," Ellie replied as Constance came out, passing Ellie the piece of parchment contain their list for the morning.
"I thought she meant something else."
"Oh." Ellie glared at him and he chuckled. "Thanks for that."
"Ready?" Constance called over her shoulder as she stepped onto the cart, guiding the horse out the yard and onto the streets.
Ellie followed, walking next to Constance, Brujon behind her.
"Why exactly do we need a cadet guard to bring in provisions?" D'Artagnan asked, looking around at the cadets surrounding the cart.
"You've been away from Paris a long time," Constance replied.
"She's right," Ellie told him, and he looked down at her, brow furrowing in confusion. Ellie shrugged. "There is a war on, in case you hadn't noticed." D'Artagnan laughed humourlessly and sat back on his seat.
A large crowd had gathered around the barn where the grain was stored, people muttering in confusion as to why they had yet to get their sacks of grain. Constance slowed the cart down as they approached, sharing a glance with Ellie.
"Stand aside!" Beaufort yelled as he rode through, barging past Clairmont.
"It's the Duke of Beaufort," Constance explained, noticing D'Artagnan's confused expression. "His lands feed most of Paris."
D'Artagnan stood up, grabbing his sword, and jumped off the cart, standing next to Ellie as they watched the Duke ride into the barn.
"The harvest you sweated for all summer; it's gone!" Beaufort announced and there was a gasp of horror followed by shouting.
"What does the Granary Keeper say?" One woman asked.
"The Granary keeper is dead!" A man yelled, holding an empty sack.
"Who would do such a thing?" Beaufort asked, eyes wide in shock.
"The refugees!"
Ellie growled softly as the anger mob turned to face the refugee camp. "Always them, never themselves," she muttered.
D'Artagnan stepped forward as the crowd marched towards them, quickly turning into a riot. They spotted the food they had on the cart and quickened their pace.
"Cadets, to attention!" D'Artagnan yelled, drawing his sword. Ellie followed, glancing over at Brujon as he did the same. "Clairmont, get Athos and the others now!" D'Artagnan yelled, shoving Clairmont towards the Garrison. "Now, Clairmont!"
Clairmont ran off towards the Garrison as the cadets fell back towards the entrance to the refugee camp which was no guarded by its inhabitants. The formed a line, swords drawn as the mob turned their attention to them.
"Our grain is there!" Someone shouted, pointing to the camp.
"What proof do you have against these people?" D'Artagnan asked
"They are murdering thieves!"
"If anyone's a murdering thief its you," Ellie muttered quietly, her words lost to the mob of people around them.
Suddenly, someone broke free of the crowd, running towards them. D'Artagnan punched the man and his action set the rest of the mob off as they charged at the cadet guard.
Ellie groaned as a gunshot went off and Marcheaux appeared. "Oh look, the cavalry," she said sarcastically, glaring as Marcheaux rode towards them.
"Disperse immediately!" He ordered and the crowd quickly followed his order, stepping back and allowing the Red Guard through.
"These are the name of the ring leaders," Marcheaux announced, waving a piece of parchment about, "you know their faces, arrest them!"
"You can't do that!" Constance exclaimed, stepping forward only to be shoved back by the Red Guard.
"This isn't a witch hunt, Marcheaux," Ellie added, joining Constance
"You two again!" Marcheaux exclaimed, glaring at them both. "You're becoming a nuisance."
"Don't touch them," D'Artagnan said, pushing the Red Guard off
"You have married a world of trouble there Musketeer," Marcheaux laughed. "You should keep her on a leash."
"On a leash?"
Marcheaux nodded. D'Artagnan stepped forward, pushing against the guards. "Arrest him for affray," Marcheaux ordered.
"Oh, for god's sake, Marcheaux this is ridiculous, you're abusing your power!" Ellie yelled.
"And her for being a public nuisance," Marcheaux added and Ellie rolled her eyes.
"D'Artagnan just leave it," Constance pleaded as she was held back.
"Leave her, I'll go quietly," D'Artagnan replied, raising his hands up.
"Proper wildcat, aren't you?" Marcheaux smirked. "Let's not waste any time. Break down the gates!"
D'Artagnan and Ellie joined the group of refugees arrested by Marcheaux, all of them being marched down to the Bastille.
"Marcheaux!" Constance yelled, storming up to the Captain. "You have no authority to make these arrests."
"On the contrary, Madame," Feron said, appearing behind her. Constance turned around and resisted the urge to glare at Feron.
"What's going on?" Athos asked as they walked into the camp. "Where's D'Artagnan and Ellie?"
"Ah, the rescue party," Feron drawled. "You're late, the riot is over."
"They've arrested D'Artagnan and Ellie with the others," Constance told them.
"Get involved with filth like this and you will all face the consequences," Feron warned them.
"What are they meant to have done?" Porthos demanded.
"Is stealing the Duke of Beaufort's grain not enough for you?" Feron asked. "Thanks to them the people of Paris will go hungry."
"How can you hide a thousand sacks of grain in here?" Constance exclaimed, looking around the camp.
"Well, why don't we take a look?" Aramis asked, crossing his arms.
"I'm sure we'll get a confession," Feron drawled, "before they are hanged in the morning. We always do."
"This is Paris," Athos said, "they're entitled to a fair trial."
"Being in Paris does not make on a Parisian," Feron spat. "Or would you grant that status to the sewer rats?"
"Some rats have high enough status," Constance muttered as Feron walked away back to his carriage.
~ 0 ~
Marcheaux stood in front of Ellie and D'Artagnan as they were shoved into the cells.
"If you didn't have powerful friends, you'd hang with the rest of them," he whispered, and Ellie smiled at him.
"And if you didn't have powerful friends, you'd probably be six feet under the ground on the Spanish border by now," she replied.
Marcheaux glared at her as she walked past and into the cell, D'Artagnan following behind her.
"Enjoy your last night on earth," Marcheaux announced as they all crowded into the one cell. "You will all hang in the morning."
"Listen to me," Hubert said, his voice carrying over the distressed muttering in the cell. "They'll try to break us. Force a confession. Whatever they do – say nothing!"
A guard shoved the injured man into the cell, Hubert falling forward. The refugees in front of him caught him before he hit the floor and Ellie crouched down next to him as D'Artagnan ran up to the cell door, glaring at the guard.
"Are you alright?' Ellie whispered, checking the man over. He grunted in response and Ellie turned her head, glaring at Marcheaux as he walked off down the corridor, slamming the door behind him, cutting off the daylight.
"Tell me, Musketeer," Hubert wheezed, looking at D'Artagnan, "why did you defend us? We man nothing to you."
"What the Red Guard were doing was unjust," D'Artagnan said quietly. "I couldn't just stand by and watch that happen."
"You couldn't stand by?" Hubert gently pushed the refugee sitting next to him away and gestured to D'Artagnan. "Please…sit with me." He turned to Ellie who was sitting against the wall opposite him. "And you, Elizabeth."
As D'Artagnan walked over to him, a few refugees stepped forward, not trusting him as he approached.
"No, no," Hubert croaked, and the men stepped back. Ellie stood up and sat down next to D'Artagnan, tucking her foot underneath her. "You cannot blame them for mistrusting your uniform. Everyone here had a home, trade, family. All that was taken away by your kind."
"My kind?" D'Artagnan queried. "My kind fights the war to maintain your freedom."
"D'Art," Ellie said, her tone telling him to back off.
"And you think a Spanish king will be worse than this French one?" Hubert asked.
"That's treason," D'Artagnan told Hubert.
"Perhaps." He shrugged. "I'm an old man. I have some funny ideas. I am so tired of hiding all the time. Moving from place to place. I've lived in the shadow of the noose a long time – I'm used to it. But these poor people…"
D'Artagnan leant back against the wall. "You preach rebellion?"
"Is it rebellion to fight against unfairness whenever you see it? Or to stand up against an unjust enemy?" D'Artagnan remained silent. "Perhaps we are not so very different after all."
Hubert suddenly started coughing, holding his side. D'Artagnan caught him before he fell to the floor, helping the man sat back.
"Sit back," D'Artagnan said quietly, letting the man lean on him.
"There is a better world coming – while we might not live to see it," Hubert wheezed.
"You will have a fair trial, Hubert – I will see to that," D'Artagnan promised him. "Minister Treville will help."
~ 0 ~
Ellie handed D'Artagnan her jacket, letting him bundle it up and put it under Hubert's head as he laid on the floor, groaning. She sat down next to him, leaning against the wall as the prison doors opened and Marcheaux and the gaoler walked in.
"Gaoler?" D'Artagnan called, standing up and walking up to the cell door, "the old man needs a physician, now."
"There's no point patching him up," the gaoler sneered, "he'll be executed with the rest of them in the morning."
"You don't understand…"
D'Artagnan was cut off as Leon was dragged out by two Red Guards. "Help me!" He yelled as he was dragged through the corridor. "Let me go – I've done nothing wrong!"
"Leon!" Hubert yelled as Leon disappeared.
"Interrogation on the Governor's orders," the gaoler explained, looking down at Ellie and D'Artagnan. "If you're lucky perhaps you'll be next?"
"Leon!" Hubert called as Leon's pained cries echoed out around the cell. "Don't break him. He'll condemn us all."
"Hey," Ellie whispered, looking down at him. " Try to stay calm, okay?"
"We'll fight this," D'Artagnan said, "I promise."
~ 0 ~
Ellie lifted her head off D'Artagnan's shoulder as a door creaked open and Marcheaux appeared.
"They've taken Leon away," D'Artagnan said as he watched Leon being dragged outside.
"Then they have what they want," Hubert wheezed. "A confession. We must hang."
"No," D'Artagnan said, kneeling beside Hubert. "Listen to me, I have friends on the outside that can help you." Hubert didn't reply, his breath becoming laboured. "Hubert?"
Hubert's hand fell to the side as he exhaled slowly, and Ellie felt a sense of guilt in her stomach as she watched him pass away.
"Hubert," Ellie whispered, holding his hand as the refugees around them mourned the loss of their leader.
~ 0 ~
Ellie shoved the Red Guard off her as he pushed her outside, D'Artagnan behind her. They'd given her weapons back to her and she'd thrown her jacket on, not bothering to tie it up. Her hair had long since fallen out and now fell about her shoulders in knotted waves.
"D'Artagnan, Ellie," Constance called as they approached her. She grasped Ellie's hand and squeezed it, reassuring herself that she was alright.
"You're letters to the front said nothing about this," D'Artagnan told them both as he stormed off. "Red Guards killing who they please. Cowards like Marcheaux deciding a man's fate. This is not what I fought for."
"And what did you fight for?" Constance asked, stopping.
"We're freeing those people in there," D'Artagnan told her.
"Obviously, do you think she's just been sitting around doing nothing?" Ellie asked, crossing her arms.
"She's right," Constance said. She suddenly pulled D'Artagnan in for a quick kiss, dragging him behind her as she walked back to the Garrison.
"So, this is what Paris has become?" D'Artagnan asked as they walked back inside the Garrison. "Innocent people condemned with no evidence and no – one to speak for them?"
"That's the way Governor Feron likes it," Constance replied.
"And since he's royal blood, no one can do anything about it," Ellie added.
"I wear the uniform of the King's own regiment!" D'Artagnan exclaimed.
"So, do I," Ellie reminded him, "and yet we were both locked up. The Red Guard can do basically whatever they want, they have Feron's authority to arrest who ever. He's the Commander of the Red Guard."
"And this Marcheaux," D'Artagnan said, "he's bothered you both before?"
Ellie sighed, crossing her arms as Constance looked at her husband. "Marcheaux doesn't scare me," Constance told him.
"That's not what I asked," D'Artagnan replied.
"Look, D'Artagnan," Constance stepped forward, "Treville brought you all back to fight a different kind of war. The danger facing Paris is the very man who should be its protector. Its Feron."
Constance walked inside the Garrison and Ellie smiled at D'Artagnan sadly.
"This is Paris, D'Art," she told him, throwing her arms up, "better get used to it."
As soon as Ellie walked into the dining room, Brujon scooped her up, hugging her tightly.
"Are you alright?" He asked, setting her down.
"I'm fine, Brujon," Ellie reassured him. She stood on her tip toes and kissed him. "It's not like it's the first time it's happened."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," Brujon muttered running a hand through her hair as she hugged him again.
~ 0 ~
Ellie sat next to D'Artagnan, feet up on Athos' desk. Sylvie was sitting next to the window and Ellie had given her friend a sad smile when she walked in, knowing how close her and Clementine had been.
"Whoever killed that woman was not from the settlement," Athos said quietly.
"Clementine," Sylvie said suddenly, looking over at them. "Her name was Clementine. She did not come here to be persecuted, to die alone."
"None of you did," Ellie said softly, crossing her arms. "You came for sanctuary and this happens."
"We will discover the truth, Sylvie," Aramis promised.
"Without these, Feron will have no proof when he goes before the Magistrate," Athos said, glancing down at the sacks on the desk.
"There is Leon," D'Artagnan reminded him. "The Red Guard may have beaten him into a false confession."
"Well, then we must find him before they hang the refugees on it," Athos said. He looked around and frowned. "Where's Porthos?
"Following a hunch," Aramis replied.
"Following a hunch?" Athos repeated.
Aramis nodded. "It's a good one."
"No doubt." Athos stood up. "Leave word for him."
"Tell me – Hubert?" Sylvie said suddenly, looking over at them.
"He died during the night," D'Artagnan told her and Sylvie's face fell.
"Were you close?" Aramis asked, recognising the devastation on her face.
"He's my father," Sylvie told them, her voice betraying her true emotions.
"I'm sorry," D'Artagnan said sadly and Sylvie nodded. Quietly they left but Ellie hesitated.
"He wasn't alone, Sylvie," Ellie told her, turning to face her. "I was with him."
"Thank you," Sylvie said, wiping away her tears, "for everything you've done."
Ellie shrugged. "I don't like bullies, no matter who they are."
~ 0 ~
"That's the tavern," Ellie said, pointing to the tavern where the Red Guard spent most of the time. "They rarely leave it unless they have to."
"That's where they have Leon?" Athos asked.
"Probably," Ellie replied, shrugging.
"Well, there's only one way to find out," D'Artagnan sighed.
There was a clanking of metal as Athos put handcuffs on Sylvie's wrists.
"What?" She demanded, lifting her hands up. "I can fight."
"I noticed," Athos drawled. It's for your own safety. And ours." He handed the key to Aramis. "She's your responsibility."
Ellie shot Sylvie an apologetic look as she followed after Athos and D'Artagnan, running to catch up with them.
The tavern instantly fell silent as they walked in, nearly every guard glaring at the three of them.
"We could solve all of Paris' problems tonight with one blow," D'Artagnan said quietly, glaring at Marcheaux as he sat at his own table in the back of the tavern.
"We're not on the battlefield now," Athos reminded him as they walked towards Marcheaux. Ellie ignored the glares from the Red Guards around, almost immune to them at this point.
"You arrested the refugees on false charges," D'Artagnan told Marcheaux as the Captain silently peeled his chicken off the bone. "A good man died."
"Won't your little wife be wondering where you've got to?" Marcheaux asked, looking up for the first time.
"You fabricated evidence," D'Artagnan said, ignoring Marcheaux attempt at getting him riled up. "Killed an innocent woman to cover your tracks. Took the prisoner Leon when all else failed." He looked around the room. "No doubt someone somewhere is beating a confession out of him. Where is he?"
At that moment, the doors burst open and Leon marched in wearing the Red Guard uniform.
"Why am I not surprised?" Ellie whispered as Leon stopped in front of them and stared. Her eyes widened when she saw Sylvie appear behind Leon, gun aimed at his back.
"Sylvie…" Athos began, spotting her at the same time as Ellie. "I will make sure that justice is done."
"Do you really expect me to believe that?" Sylvie asked, her hand shaking. "After everything that's happened to my friends? My own father?"
"Take this burden upon yourself and it will never lift," Athos said gently. "Revenge yourself and part of you dies with him."
"Sylvie," Ellie said, taking a step towards her friend, "put the gun down."
A gun fired and Leon fell to the ground, but Ellie knew it was Sylvie's from the shock on her face. She slowly turned to face Marcheaux as the captain blew the smoke off his gun.
"An honourable death," Marcheaux sighed, looking down at the body on the floor.
Aramis ran forward and snatched the gun out of Sylvie's grip before she realised what was happening.
"What have you done?" Sylvie exclaimed, glaring at Marcheaux. "He betrayed us! He betrayed my father! You cannot do that!"
Athos wrapped an arm around Sylvie's waist as she launched herself at Marcheaux, holding her against him as she tried to free herself.
"We put this man inside the settlement some months ago," Marcheaux explained, standing up. "He's been most useful but too much time in low company must have…" he paused looking for the word, "corrupted him."
Ellie growled, stepping forward only for Aramis to hold her back.
"He obviously saw an opportunity to organise the theft of Beaufort's grains," Marcheaux continued, smirking. "Blame the refugees."
"It's over," Athos told Sylvie as he pushed her outside, not letting her see Marcheaux's smirking face.
"Do you think we're fools?" D'Artagnan asked, glaring. "You're death will not be honourable."
"Not today," Aramis told him, trusting Ellie not to attack Marcheaux as he approached D'Artagnan. Seeing that he wasn't leaving, Aramis pulled him back. "Not today."
D'Artagnan kicked Marcheaux's table and stormed outside, Ellie hot on his heels as she tried not to launch herself at Marcheaux, his smirking face all she could think about.
"Don't make me handcuff you," Aramis warned as Ellie slowed down, looking back at the tavern.
"I'm not stupid," Ellie muttered, shrugging off the hand he'd put on her shoulder. She marched past D'Artagnan, Athos and Sylvie, crossing her arms and saying nothing as she headed back to the Garrison.
~ 0 ~
"You seem like you want to punch someone," Brujon said as Ellie stormed down the Garrison stairs.
"Am I that obvious?" She muttered, picking up a loaf of bread and tearing a chunk off it. "Marcheaux is such a prick."
"We know," Brujon and Clairmont said together as Ellie sat down on the table, feet on the bench.
"You told them yet?" Brujon asked as they watched the four Musketeers emerge from the dining hall.
"Nope," Ellie replied. "Hasn't come up."
"You'll have to tell them at some point," he told her, standing up and kissing her. Ellie giggled, leaning her forehead on his.
"You coming, Ellie?" Porthos yelled and she rolled her eyes.
"Impeccable timing as usual," she muttered and Brujon laughed, throwing his head back. "I'm coming!"
She jumped off the table, not bothering to do her jacket up, and walked beside Porthos as they followed Athos and Sylvie back to the refugee camp.
It was certainly a lot calmer as they walked in with no Red Guards about. They had yet to fix the gates and they were wide open as Athos escorted Sylvie down the street.
"So," Ellie began as Athos and Sylvie stood in the street, chatting, "your first full week back in Paris. How you feel?"
"Exhausted," D'Artagnan muttered. "Pissed off."
"Like I want to murder someone," Aramis added.
Ellie laughed. "Emotions I feel every single day, gentleman."
"Oh, hello," Porthos said as Sylvie kissed Athos. All four of them turned as Athos walked back up to them, blushing slightly.
"She told me she was choosey about who she kisses," Aramis teased as Athos put his arm around his shoulders. Ellie giggled as Athos put his other arm around her shoulders.
They slowed down as a man rode up to them, dressed entirely in black.
"I hear the people of Saint Antoine have you to thank for the return of their stolen grain?" He asked, looking at Porthos. Porthos nodded. "I'd like to shake your hand."
"Fine animal," Porthos said, nodding to the horse.
"Andalusian?" Aramis asked, stroking the horse's muzzle.
"Recently acquired. A bargain," the man told them. "Practically stole it."
"Have we met?" Athos asked, looking up at the man.
"No, I am a…concerned citizen," the man replied. "Perhaps our paths will cross again."
The man turned his horse around and rode off and Ellie tried to ignore the bad feeling she had in her stomach as he disappeared from view.