A/N: six years later, three stories and countless words, Ellie's story has come to its end. Thank you to everyone for supporting my first ever fanficition and for putting up with me and my sporadic updating schedule.
Ellie, hun, I'm going to miss you
"Today, my faith was rewarded, but the time has come to restore yours."
Ellie stood next to Brujon, cloak over one shoulder, hat on her head, doublet pulled up as high as possible to hide the bruises on her neck.
The Queen and the King stood at the front of Notre Dame facing the thousands of people packed inside it.
The five of them, Constance, Sylvie, Elodie and Brujon were in a line in front of the Queen. Athos had his cloak wrapped around him; his hair still wet from his fight in the water with Grimaud. D'Artagnan's cut on his cheek had yet to stop bleeding but was evidently going to scar and Ellie couldn't talk properly without falling into a coughing fit.
When Aramis had spotted the three of them, he'd sighed despairingly and rolled his eyes.
"You are our future," the Queen continued, "the people of Paris and you will always find justice with her walls. A Queen has many protectors, but, for too long, you have had none. That is why I am disbanding my Musketeers." The five of them all glanced at each other in confusion, waiting for the Queen to continue. "And reforming them as your Musketeers."
Notre Dame burst into applause at the Queen's words.
"She had me for a moment," Ellie whispered to Brujon as she clapped.
"Their depleted ranks will be redrawn from the very streets they are to protect. And, under their watchful eye, Paris will always be safe."
Aa they walked out of Notre Dame, Ellie silently handed D'Artagnan a handkerchief as she noticed the cut on his cheek start bleeding again.
"Is it still going?" He asked accepting it and dabbing his cut.
"I'm impressed," Ellie replied, smiling. "Your first proper scar."
"I have plenty of scars."
"Nah, this one is a proper one," Ellie replied, winking at him.
They stopped outside the Queen's carriage as Aramis lifted the King inside it.
"Are you my new servant, Aramis?" He asked.
Aramis chuckled. "He's funny. Like his father." He looked up at the Queen as he registered what he'd said.
"Porthos?" The Queen said, changing the conversation quickly. Porthos looked up, turning to face her. "You will return to the front as General du Vallon."
Ellie smiled at Porthos, unable to contain her excitement as she patted him on the back.
"Show our soldiers they fight for a country where any man can rise if his talent merit it," the Queen continued.
"You honour me, Majesty," Porthos said, bowing down.
The Queen turned, smiling at Athos. "Rebuild the garrison, Captain." She turned and stepped inside her carriage, accepting the hand Aramis offered her, and sat down opposite her son. "Aramis? I'd like you take Treville's place as First Minister."
Aramis sighed, looking at the King. "I don't think that's a good idea," he said quietly.
"Take time," the Queen replied. "Consider." Aramis bowed and stepped back as the Queen sat back. "Oh, Elizabeth?"
Ellie walked up to her, frowning slightly. "Your Majesty?"
The Queen smiled at her. "I'm just wondering if you've given my letter any thought?"
Ellie sighed, glancing behind her for a second. "I have. I don't think I'll be keeping it."
The Queen nodded. "Of course, it is yours, Elizabeth. Or should I say Lady Beckett?" Ellie lowered her head slightly and the Queen's eyes widened slightly. "You haven't told them?"
Ellie shook her head. "Not yet. I'm going to," she added quickly. "I think I know who I'm going to give it to."
The Queen nodded again, sitting back in her seat. "It's yours, Lady Beckett, to do with as you wish."
Ellie stepped back as the carriage pulled away, coming to a stop next to Aramis.
"What was that about?" Aramis asked, pulling Ellie's arm and frowning.
Ellie sighed, looking at him. "I'll explain it all over a bottle of wine," she replied.
They were one bottle of wine down and Ellie had yet to work up the courage to tell them. She kept looking at Brujon for help, her husband just shrugging whenever he caught her.
Eventually Sylvie, who hadn't missed the distressed looks Ellie kept sending her husband, put Ellie out of her misery.
"So, what did the Queen want with you?" Sylvie asked as Ellie finished her third cup.
Ellie sighed, leaning back in her chair, glancing at Brujon. "I had a sister."
"You had several," D'Artagnan replied.
Ellie glared at him. She sighed again. "I don't know how to explain this," she muttered, pouring herself another cup. "Alright, turns out that one of my many sisters escaped the fire."
Porthos choked in his wine. "What?"
Ellie nodded. "I know. Along with my arsehole of a brother, she fled the fire. Except she didn't go on a murderous revenge spree."
"So, what happened to her?" Constance asked, intrigued.
"She changed her name and married a lord," Ellie replied.
"Seriously?" Aramis exclaimed.
Ellie nodded. "Ahuh. She married this lord - can't remember who - and she's happy. Until he signs up for the war and gets killed in the first siege."
"This is a rollercoaster," Porthos muttered.
"It gets worse," Ellie chuckled. "So, they never had any children so it's just my sister in this huge estate. Because she was his second wife and didn't come from nobility, some of his estate had to be handed over to the Crown. Which is how the Queen found out about my sister. Anyway, a couple of months ago, my sister kills herself by throwing herself off a bridge – don't worry Elodie," Ellie said, catching sight of Elodie's horrified expression, "this isn't the weirdest thing my family's done."
"It's true," Porthos muttered.
"Her brother was a maniac who tried to murder me," D'Artagnan added.
"And they ran a circus," Athos said. "Which I think Ellie has yet to leave judging from her self-sacrificing nature."
"Anyway!" Ellie exclaimed, laughing. "Turns out my sister knew I existed and named me in her will as her next of kin."
D'Artagnan stared at her. "You're kidding."
Ellie shook her head. "Nope. I get all of her land, all of her money and her title."
"Which is why the Queen called you Lady Beckett," Aramis replied, nodding. "Well, that's amazing Ellie!"
"Yeah, except I don't want any of it," Ellie replied, shutting Aramis' celebration down.
"So, what are you going to do with it?" Constance asked.
"Well, I thought I could give it to you four," Ellie said, looking at D'Artagnan, Constance, Sylvie and Athos.
"Excuse me?" D'Artagnan said, staring at her.
"Think about it!" Ellie exclaimed, sitting forward. "There's this massive estate with miles of land and numerous houses, you could live there and never see anyone! There's a house near the garrison for you and Constance. I'm never going to use it, am I? I'd rather it went to someone who cares about it and used it for the good of the people! I'd still be the owner so you wouldn't have to worry about that but apart from that I don't care what you do with it."
Ellie stared at the four of them as they looked to one another.
"Why us?" Athos asked after a while.
"Because you've done so much for me, it's time I did something for you," Ellie replied, smiling. "And I've put the money aside so I can use it for your children because I'm never going to use it." She turned to Brujon, lowering her voice. "Well, what's left of it, anyway."
"Ellie, are you sure about this?" Constance asked, looking at her intently.
"Constance, I've never been so sure about anything before in my life," Ellie replied, smiling. "Take it, demolish it, ruin it – I don't care. Just don't be surprised if I pop round from time to time."
Athos stood up and walked around the table, bringing Ellie into a hug.
"Thank you," he whispered, kissing her head.
Ellie smiled, kissing his cheek. "Don't be, Athos," she whispered. "It's my pleasure."
Ellie sighed quietly as she stood in between Athos and Aramis in the ruined remains of the garrison.
They were all bidding their farewells to one another.
Porthos was headed to the front with a fresh batch of soldiers, Athos and Sylvie were headed up to Ellie's estate outside of Paris, Aramis was off to the palace and Constance and D'Artagnan were staying at the garrison – D'Artagnan as Captain.
"Brujon," Porthos called, waving the man over.
Brujon glanced at Ellie as he passed, her knowing smile the only clue he got as he stood before Porthos. "General?"
"I'm going to the front," Porthos said. "Prepare my horse." Brujon nodded, turning to go. "And prepare one for yourself," Porthos added.
Brujon frowned, glancing at his wife again as she giggled quietly. "But I'm not a musketeer, general."
Constance smiled. "Aren't you?"
She handed D'Artagnan the pauldron as Brujon stared at it in awe. D'Artagnan walked over and gave it to Brujon, patting him on the back.
"You deserve that," he said, looking him in the eye.
Brujon nodded, holding it carefully as he looked up at them.
"What you waiting for?" Porthos asked, smiling.
Brujon nodded again, running a finger over his pauldron. "Thank you, General," he whispered. "But I can't accept it," he said quietly.
"What, why not?" Porthos asked, frowning.
Ellie stared at Brujon, shaking her head. "No. Nope, not happening."
Brujon turned to her, taking her hand in his. "I'm coming with you, Ellie."
Ellie shook her head, blinking back the tears beginning to fall. "But this was your dream. You worked so hard for it, Brujon."
Brujon smiled. "It wasmy dream. And then you came along." He took her other hand, holding it tightly. "Its' just like we said. Until the end of the line. No matter where we go, we will always be together. In sickness and in health. On land or at sea."
Ellie sniffed, smiling. "Are you sure?" She whispered quietly, looking at him carefully.
Brujon nodded. "I knew from the moment you bought that ship that I'd be going with you."
"What ship?" Porthos exclaimed, staring at the two of them. "Is anyone else very confused?"
Ellie chuckled, turning to face her friends. "So, I bought a ship, yesterday. A proper one with sails and stuff. It'll get me to New England."
Aramis smiled at her sadly. "You're still going to do it?"
Ellie nodded. "Yeah. Clairmont would want me to. Besides, you're all going off on your own adventures…it's about time I found mine." She nodded to her pauldron, sniffing slightly. "I guess I should give this back, then."
D'Artagnan stepped forward and hugged Ellie tightly, lifting her off the floor. "You will always be a musketeer, Ellie," he whispered fiercely. "Don't ever think otherwise." D'Artagnan let go, looking at Brujon. He stepped forward and hugged him as well. "You too, Brujon. Just, look after her, hey?"
"I can look after myself!" Ellie exclaimed as she wiped away the tears falling down her face.
"Always," Brujon replied quietly. He turned to face the rest of the group, shifting slightly at the fierce expressions on their faces.
"Don't be mean," Ellie said, walking up to Porthos and hugging him tightly, letting the tears fall freely. "It was my idea, anyway." She sniffed, trying to maintain some composure. "Stay safe," she whispered, kissing his cheek.
"No promises," Porthos whispered back, kissing her head. He held her by her shoulders for a minute, taking her in. "God, I'm so proud of you."
Ellie laughed tearfully, wiping her eyes. "Don't be nice to me, I'll cry even more then," she whispered. "Just, please, for the love of god, promise me you'll be safe."
Porthos nodded, kissing her cheek as she let go. "I promise, Ellie."
Ellie smiled, wiping her face with her hand as she turned to face Elodie. "Elodie, keep him in check."
Elodie nodded at her with a smile. "Promise."
Athos came up behind her and Ellie turned, hugging him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder as she tried to hold back the tears. Athos rested his chin on top of hers, kissing her hair as she clung to him.
"I'll be back," Ellie whispered, letting go of him.
Athos squeezed her tightly, kissing her cheek as she stepped back. "I know you will. I'm making you godmother."
Ellie chuckled, wiping her eyes once again, "God help your child, then."
Sylvie stepped forward, hugging Ellie tightly as the two women tried hard not to burst into tears there and then.
"Thank you, for everything," Sylvie whispered quietly, giving Ellie a final squeeze.
Ellie smiled at her. "It was my pleasure," she replied, grabbing her hand.
Ellie turned to face Aramis, not trusting herself to speak as she swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Technically, you're not going anywhere," she began, "so I don't need to say goodbye." She looked up at him.
Aramis smiled, his eyes glistening with tears. "Then I'll do it," he said quietly. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, kissing her head as she felt more tears fall down her face.
Ellie buried her face in his neck as she struggled to keep herself from breaking down. She sighed heavily as she let him go. "Look after her," she whispered into his ear just before she stepped away.
"Always," Aramis replied, winking.
Ellie turned to D'Artagnan for a final time, feeling her mask finally breaking apart. "I hate you for making this so hard," she sobbed, throwing her arms around him and burying her face in his shoulder.
"I'm not the one going," he quipped, chuckling when Ellie cried a little harder.
"Don't break anything whilst I'm gone," she said softly, stepping back and smiling despite the tears cascading down her face. "And keep them all in check."
"Of course," D'Artagnan replied, saluting.
"The last one wasn't for you," she informed him as she hugged Constance tightly, feeling her friend beginning to cry too.
"They won't know what's hit them," Constance said, sniffing as they let go of one another.
Ellie inhaled deeply, trying not to break down crying, as she took in her family of ten years. She held out her hand, a smile on her face. "All for one?"
Porthos, Athos, Aramis and D'Artagnan put their hands-on top of hers, smiling through the tears.
"And one for all," they finished together, dropping their hands.
Ellie took a deep breath, swallowing down the tears as she turned around, away from her family, taking her husband's arm.
As they walked out of the Garrison for the last time, Ellie stopped in the archway, turning back to look at them one more time.
She gave them all a beaming smile despite the tears and a small wave before turning away and heading towards the harbor.
As she stood at the bow of the ship, watching as they slowly left the port, she looked back on the city she'd called her home for the majority of her life, an ache in her chest.
The people on the harbor were still waving even though Ellie could no longer properly make them out. She waved at them once more before turning away, unable to see them anymore. Brujon appeared next to her, smiling at her, his musketeer pauldron sitting proudly on his shoulder.
They both walked forward to the bow of the ship, facing the horizon as the flag of House Beckett flew high above them.
Elizabeth Beckett glanced behind her one last time and smiled.