A/N: I usually try to work on something else between my forays into the story of Christine, but I just couldn't keep this story at bay. Hope you enjoy it!
The Prize, Ch. 1
A few hours outside of Paris, in the private Eden of their own, the Musketeer and the Comtesse des Etoiles were happy. The warmth of early summer and its mild breeze only accentuated the perfection of their situation.
"I need to return to Paris in the morning," Aramis murmured as they lay together on the blanket spread beneath the canopy of leaves and remaining blossoms in the orchard, the June sun filtering through the boughs.
"Sh…" muttered Christine as she nuzzled his neck and pulled him closer, "Don't remind me. I'm not sure that I will be able to let you go this time," she said. "I plan on keeping you here as my prisoner," she whispered.
He smiled, his eyes closed, savouring the smell of her hair and the feeling of her eyelashes as they fluttered against his neck.
"Athos might have something to say about that…" he replied as he kissed the top of her head.
"I can handle Athos," she said stubbornly.
"And Treville…?" he teased as he gave her a tight squeeze and she laughed.
"I wish all days without duty were like this," Aramis said. "When will you be returning to Paris?"
"Two more weeks," Christine said as she rolled onto her back to lie next to him. Smiling, he kissed her softly. "There are a few things I need to organize here before I return for the High Season. I promised the Queen I would be on hand for the birth of her child. She still has a several weeks yet"
"Well then," he said, "We should take advantage of what time we have left here," he said, smiling roguishly as he turned onto his side and began to kiss her neck. She laughed in delight in the privacy of their love and the estate's orchard.
…Or the seeming privacy…
"Mistress! Mistress! Aramis!" cried a young voice.
Christine smiled at Aramis as she pushed him off her. He snatched at her and she laughed again.
"Mistress! Aramis!" called Marcus as he came nearer.
"What is it?" said Aramis. He sat up next to the Comtesse and kissed her neck one more time as the young stable boy stood panting at the edge of their blanket.
"What is it Marcus, darling?" asked Christine staring curiously at the boy.
"A coach is approaching...with riders," he panted, "A gold coach."
Christine and Aramis looked at each other, shock written on both their faces.
"A gold coach!" cried Aramis, leaping to his feet. He gathered the cut boughs that were still in blossom that had been laid next to the blanket in a bundle. Christine gathered the blanket and pushing it into Marcus' arms, the trio took off across the grounds.
oOo
The Royal Coach rumbled across the bridge and up the slight hill that led to the manor home at its crest, escorted by three musketeers and their Captain, Treville. Christine and Aramis dashed through the kitchen, depositing the boughs. Christine stood by the main doors as Aramis circled around to the stables.
"How do I look?" she asked her maidservant, Marie, distractedly, as the coach came to a halt.
Marie plucked a stray apple blossom from Christine's head and secured it properly into her hair. "You look as though you've been rolling around with your lover in the orchards most of the morning," she said with a smirk, "But still beautiful," she said to which Christine rolled her eyes. "I've asked Katherine to prepare your parents' suite in the west wing, and told Cookie to prepare the geese for dinner just in case," she whispered. Christine nodded and kissed the maid.
"You are my savior," she whispered.
Two servants leapt down from the golden coach and opened the doors, and King Louis and Queen Anne of France stepped down, greeted by the startled Comtesse des Etoiles and her household staff.
"Ah! Comtesse! How do you like our little surprise?" said the King with a grin as he cast an appraising eye on her and the members of her household.
"I am overjoyed to see you, your majesties, and quite surprised!" she said, smiling at the King.
The musketeers dismounted and Aramis joined them, assuming his place in their line.
"You couldn't have sent a warning?" Aramis muttered to Athos from the side of his mouth, his eyes sparking dangerously.
"We were unaware. You know how his Majesty can be," Athos replied curtly, rolling his eyes.
"Forgive us," said the Queen, pleading with her friend. "I had only mentioned to his Majesty that I had missed your company this morning, and he…decided to…surprise you..."
"There is nothing to forgive," said Christine warmly, smiling at the Queen. "You are always most welcome. You all are," she said, looking to the musketeers. Porthos and D'Artagnan grinned at her.
"I am glad to see my friends from the Musketeers," she said. "How are you Captain?" she said addressing Treville.
"I am well, my Lady," he replied with a small smile.
"Your Majesties must be tired from the trip. It feels like a long road from Paris," she said, returning her focus to the monarchs. "Can I ask, how long might you be honouring us with your presence?"
"Well, we escaped in secret," said the King conspiratorially. "No one should suspect that we are missing for three days at least!"
"Three days!" exclaimed Christine, paling slightly. Treville and Aramis frowned at the King's reply. The other musketeers smirked at her reaction. "We are quite honoured. I hope that we will be able to entertain your Majesties for so long. My estate is quite a simple one, far from the magnificence of the court," she said, recovering.
"I know!" said the King elatedly. "That's why we've come with such a small retinue and in such simple clothes," he said, gesturing to his still very fine garments, evidently very impressed with himself.
"Of course," replied Christine, smiling indulgently again. "Well, I hope your stay will be comfortable and relaxing, away from the frivolities of court," she said. "Please, why don't you let my maidservant Marie show you to your rooms. Perhaps once you are refreshed, your Majesty would like a tour of the grounds? Your musketeers have been here before and will be able to stow your horses."
"Yes, I think I might enjoy that," said the King, not noticing that Aramis had joined the others, as he held his hand out to the pregnant Queen. They followed Marie past the awed servants and into the house, the two servants carrying the royals' trunks.
Treville followed the King, giving Christine an apologetic smile, which she returned.
Athos, Porthos and D'Artagnan led the horses and the coach and driver towards the stables assisted by Marcus and Victor.
Christine approached Aramis, worry clearly written on her face. He took her in his arms and kissed her.
"Don't worry," he said. "It'll only be for three days. Just two nights – or one weekend if you look at it that way," he said, cupping her face in his hands. She smiled at him.
"I must go. I need to prepare the staff before the King is ready for his tour," she said. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and ran off. His eyes shone brightly after her as his hand grazed across the soft impression her lips had left.
oOo