Equals

Chapter 7

The next day, Christine stood on the palace steps and was surprised to see Athos waiting for her, a bunch of white daffodils in his hand.

"Athos," she cried as she skipped down the steps towards him and kissed him on the cheek.

"You seem absolutely wretched," he said to her, a twinkle in his eyes and that illusive smirk on his lips.

"Exceedingly miserable," she responded with a grin.

"Will you join me for a walk?" he asked as he offered her his arm.

"I would love that," she said, taking his arm and the flowers.

"I want you to know how happy this has made me," he said to her, blushing slightly.

She smiled at him and gave his arm a squeeze. "Me too brother. I can hardly believe it. I feel as though my heart will burst from my chest!" They turned the corner and were met by the smiling faces of Marcus and Victor who beamed at her and both handed her a pink rose.

"Why thank you boys," she said startled as Athos continued to guide her down the street. Marie appeared next, a broad smile on her face and tears in her eyes as she passed Christine six pale tulips and kissed her on the cheek. They passed Bernard, Cornet, Francois and Etienne. Each man beamed and passed her a flower. Christine was shocked but Athos continued on as if nothing were out of the ordinary. She looked over her shoulder at the parade that had begun to form behind them. They rounded another corner where a serving girl stepped forward and passed her a bouquet of white peonies.

"From their Royal Majesties," she said curtseying.

"Athos, what is this? What's going on?" she asked. He smirked at her and said nothing.

They stopped at Treville next. He placed a hand on her cheek and added a lily to her enormous bouquet. His warm smile and bright eyes filled her already overflowing heart.

The sun had begun to sink as they made their way down the road. The sky was turning a beautiful patchwork of pinks and purples.

D'Artagnan's beaming face matched hers as he added a trailing bunch of wildflowers to her armload; the vine of purple buds cascaded along her arms. He kissed her cheek and gave her a wink and grin. She beamed at him as he joined the crowd over her shoulder.

They reached Porthos who took the enormous bouquet in one arm and lifted her to him with the other in a fierce embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close.

"Knew you'd be trouble," he rumbled into her ear. "He's a magnet for it." She beamed back at him as he kissed both her cheeks.

She turned back to Athos who beamed at her. "I still don't understand," she said, shaking her head softly. He bowed and kissed her hand. He and Porthos parted to reveal the most beautiful sight Christine had ever seen.

Athos had led her to a cobblestone terrace where Paris sprawled beneath it. A beautiful tree hung its boughs elegantly. It looked like a fairy grotto had taken residence in Paris as it seemed to float over the rooftops of the city flecked with gold by the setting sun. Candles hung from the tree's branches and sparkled around the terrace. The watercolour pinks and purples of the sky cast a rosy glow across the scene. The bells of Notre Dame rang brightly in the distance.

And there he was. Aramis.

He stood in his long doublet and musketeer's sash and beneath the boughs and candlelight. In his hand he held a single Iris. His eyes burned brighter than the candles as he held out his hand to her and she all but floated to him.

"Aramis," she whispered, "What's going on?"

He smiled at her as she took the flower from him.

"This is how I planned to ask you," he said as her eyes widened.

"Aramis, this wasn't necessary," she whispered, looking back at the crowd of their loved ones; she was still in awe of the fairy world he had created for her.

"If it earned me a smile like that, it was worth it," he said with a grin as she smiled at him, the fire bright in her eyes at the familiar words.

He took her left hand in his and dropped to his knee.

"Christine," he said to her, "You are my world."

She held her breath.

"Since that day in the marketplace, nothing else has mattered to me but you. I live to see that caring, clever, defiant, wildfire that burns in your eyes. I was lost until you Christine. You gave me purpose. You made me whole."

Aramis reached into his pocket and drew out a small gold ring bearing a small red stone.

"This was my mother's," he said. "I have kept it with me all these years. It is the only thing I have of hers. I have nothing to offer you Christine but this small token, but with this you will truly have all of me, if you'll accept it," he said.

"I cannot offer you a life of ease, but no man can guarantee that. I can promise you that I will love you until I die Christine, because I know I will love you even longer after that. I cannot promise that there won't be hard times, and sad times, but I can promise that with our love these times will all be fleeting. I have nothing Christine, but if you say yes, if you'll marry me, if you say you'll be my wife, I will have everything – more than any man alive. I will have you Christine and you will have me and with that our riches will exceed the dreams of Kings. I love you Christine. Say you'll be mine. Say you'll be my wife. Say that you'll marry me."

Tears fell softly down Christine's cheeks as she gazed into the eyes of the love of her life. She memorized every leaf on that tree, every flicker of light that was fortunate enough to fall on his beautiful face. She looked at him and felt her heart surging. There was a fire that burned within her and she knew that fire was him. It had always been him. It was his love. He was her life.

She gazed at him and smiled, her fingers curling around his.

She nodded.

"Yes," she whispered and he sagged in relief as he placed the ring on her finger. "Yes!" she cried again and pulled him upright. "A million times, yes!" she said as she pulled him towards her and wrapped her arms around his neck. He clutched her to him, and lifted her into the air, the tears running down his cheeks matching hers as they kissed.

Joy radiated over Paris from that terrace; the noise and the cheering crowd could be heard from every corner, from the garrison to the Palace.

oOo

The village church was dressed beautifully. Wildflowers festooned the inside and lined the arch of the doorway. The new bell sparkled like a second sun as the day shone beautifully and bright. The entire village was in attendance to watch Aramis and Christine exchange their vows.

Aramis stood before the altar, Athos, Porthos and D'Artagnan at his side.

"Are you nervous?" whispered D'Artagnan.

"Still time to change your mind," said Porthos grinning.

"She may have actually come to her senses and fled," muttered Athos, smirking.

Aramis chuckled and shook his head. "I have never been more certain of anything in my life," he said.

"She might still not show up. You may want to have someone search the stables," said Athos wryly, his eyes sparkling.

Aramis grinned at the man, a warning of violence sparking in his dark eyes. Athos grinned back at the challenge.

The doors opened and light streamed though. The crowd turned to greet the bride and collective sighs travelled up the aisle as Christine, on the arm of Treville, floated towards her musketeer.

She wore a stunning ivory gown, the bodice embroidered with a subtle pattern of blue fleur de lis and delicate pearls, beautiful and simple. Her hair was crowned with a silver circlet and baby's breath; about her neck hung the jeweled three-starred symbol of her house, like always. All of this elegance and finery were completely over-shadowed by the beauty and elation of her face as she proceeded towards Aramis, a bouquet of blue irises in her hands.

"Good luck," whispered Porthos, beaming at his friend as he and D'Artagnan stepped back towards their pew.

"Just close your mouth and remember to breathe," said Athos. Athos clapped his hand on his brother's shoulder and joined the others. Aramis chuckled, his eyes sparkling with exhilaration as he gazed at the woman walking towards him and she winked at him.

As Treville and Christine approached the altar, Aramis stepped forward. He wore a smoky blue coat over white breeches and a stunning ceremonial rapier, a gift from his brothers, hung at his waist over his blue musketeer's sash. To anyone watching, this truly seemed like the climax of a fairytale – a handsome knight marrying a beloved and beautiful princess – but for the Musketeer and the Comtesse, it was still just the beginning.

Treville raised an eyebrow at Aramis, his stern glare flashing once more – a silent final warning. Aramis beamed at him as Treville placed her hand in his. Christine kissed the Captain's cheek and Treville blushed slightly, his ice-blue eyes melting to spring days as he smiled at the couple and took his place next to his men.

Tears of joy sparkled on almost every face as Aramis and Christine vowed to cherish and protect each other and received the sacrament of marriage from the priest.

There was a pause and then the crowd gasped as their Royal Majesties, King Louis and Queen Anne stepped out of the choir of the church. Christine stepped backwards slightly as Louis drew his sword.

"Kneel Aramis," he commanded. Aramis acquiesced and for once, lowered his head so he faced the ground, humbled and formal, as he bowed before the King and Queen.

"Aramis, I have no greater gift to offer you than the one you have received today. Love, true love, is the most divine gift imaginable next to royalty. The Comtesse des Etoiles has chosen you as her equal, to be her partner and her defender in life, and I, as well as you, know that it is foolish to question the decision of such a remarkable and intelligent woman. With her blessing, she has asked you to share the joys, burdens and responsibilities of her life by accepting the title of the Comte des Etoiles, and by the vows made before God, you have accepted each other as husband and wife," said the King.

The Queen stepped forward holding a blue velvet cushion, upon which lay a silver chain with the three-star coat of arms, the partner to the one about Christine's neck.

"Aramis, if you choose so, you may now bear a double life. Here on these lands, you will serve me as the Comte des Etoiles, maintaining the wellbeing of the land and my people. However, if you choose to maintain your commission, I will not relinquish your service as a musketeer while you are in Paris," he said and Aramis' eyes went round. "I know you to be among my best musketeers, and I would not discard your services if you are still willing to serve under Captain Treville and alongside your brother musketeers. The Comtesse has proven herself to be a more than capable champion for her people. Your position at court will be respected and maintained when you should choose to use it, but in all other instances you need only support your wife in her judgements and participate, when required, at formal courtly proceedings."

The king placed his blade upon the marksman's shoulder. "What do you say Aramis? Will you accept the title of the Comte des Etoiles? Will you serve and protect the people in my name? Will you honour and support the Comtesse as she maintains this estate's role at court? Will you bend the knee and continue to serve alongside your brothers as one of my elite Musketeers?"

"Yes Sire. I know of no greater honour than to be able to serve in these roles, Your Majesty," he said breathlessly as he raised his head, joy and pride radiating from his eyes.

"Your service is accepted," said the King as he doffed Aramis on each shoulder. Christine and the Queen stepped forward, and taking the sigil from the cushion in the Queen's hands, Christine fastened the chain around Aramis' neck where in hung brightly on his chest.

The King stepped forward again and placing Aramis' hand in Christine's he said, "Rise now Aramis as the Comte des Etoiles."

Aramis stood and Christine squeezed his hand as the church erupted in applause. She smiled at him and he winked at her and let out a sigh of relief.

"Now for God's sake, kiss your wife!" said the King as he beamed as broadly as the rest of them.

oOo

The reception lasted through the night until the King's carriage finally pulled away just as the rosy dawn light crept across the village.

Aramis sat in his shirtsleeves in the master suite of their home and examined the symbol that hung at his breast. Turning it over, he read the family's motto inscribed on the back of the medallion. Words were written behind each star that would hang forever next to his heart. "For Country, For Honour, For Each Other". The words were so simple and aligned perfectly with the motto of the Musketeers that he drew in a breath in disbelief.

Christine came up behind him and draped her arms around him. "Hello husband," she whispered in his ear as she kissed his neck.

He smiled and turned his head to face her. Her eyes gleamed as the early morning light encased her in a golden glow.

She was his and he was hers.

He would be Comte and Musketeer.

But mostly, he would be her husband and she his wife, and they would be happy and they would love each other until time ceased to exist. As this realization sunk in once more and he stared at his love bathed in the sunlight, he laughed. This must be what heaven felt like, he thought as he pulled her into his lap.

"Hello wife," he said to her. He couldn't stop beaming. She giggled softly as his fingers ran across her star pendant and brushed along the neckline of her dressing gown. He looked into the blue-grey eyes he adored so much and saw the fire that flourished there beaming back at him.

He entwined his fingers into her hair and pulling her close, he kissed her and she kissed him back.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/N: There you have it! A little bit of a Disney ending sprinkled in there - but the story isn't done! I have a few more ideas for Christine and Aramis based on some recommendations from you lovely readers.

I do hope you've been enjoying this! Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words and great support throughout. I'll pick this up again soon! Cheers!