Chapter XVI

Christophe tried to break free from Athos's grip, but the Musketeer was far stronger than he was. They were almost at Tréville's door when they all cornered the boy leaving him no chance to escape.

"I don't know who you think you are, but here, you are nothing. You hear, nothing?" Porthos said between his teeth. Even when he did not get to use his fists, he could be quite frightening. "It does not matter that you are the Capt ain's nephew. You will get fair treatment for your actions and you better start showing some respect or I will teach it to you the hard way. You will not be the one giving orders here. We will. Now, get in there."

He slammed the door open, pushing the boy inside. D'Artagnan guarded the front door. Trévill sat his nephew down on a stool, the others looming above him.

"I have to say the magistrates in Orléans were a great help. We caught the ones responsible for the attack and they have faced trial for their actions. You had already killed the bandits who had...murdered the boy's parents so the rest could not be convicted for this crime. They will still spend the rest of their life in prison."

"Elise will be glad to hear it. She was quite worried they would manage to escape."

"She looks much better than when I left. I am starting to think you are a better surgeon than you are a sword man, Aramis."

"Never, Captain. I just happen to have been more gifted than others."

"Are you talking about me?" Porthos challenged.

"Not now, gentlemen. It is not the time." The two Musketeers fell silent. Christophe glared at them. "This young man is in a lot of trouble. He should not even be here with us. He had gambled a lot with a lot of people, not all quite recommendable. He owes some money too many of them. There was a prison cell with his name on it. He's lucky he's my nephew or he would be rotting over there right now."

"I did not need your help. I would have had no problem making my escape if you had not found me."

"We found him hiding in the forest, barefoot and starving. He had not eaten anything for days. Oh yes, I am sure he would have survived without us," the Captain said with sarcasm, ignoring his nephew.

"I would have! Why does nobody trust me when I say so?"

"Because your actions got your parents killed! Don't you understand? You killed your parents!" Tréville shouted, finally losing his temper and his patience. Christophe cringed on his seat.

"I tried to ask Father for some money, but he would not let me borrow any. Everything would be different if he had listened to me."

Tréville slapped the boy so hard with the back of his hand that the Musketeers could see the shape of the fingers on Christophe's face. He looked shocked.

"Do not find excuses. My sister is dead because of you, and only you. It is time you face the consequences of your actions. You will stay at the Garrison until you learn to behave with honour and righteousness. I will not make your life easy. They will not make your life easy," he added, pointing at the four soldiers in the room. "Nobody will be sorry for you, here. You are not king here. That time is over."

"Do you think Elise will let you treat me like a nobody?"

"Your sister saw your parents being killed. She was assaulted by a criminal and almost kidnapped. She was greatly wounded because of you!" Aramis forgot his place and strode towards the young boy, his fists balled at his sides. "She is relieved that you are alive, but she will not forgive you easily."

"Who are you to believe so? I'm her brother; I know her better than you do."

"I saved her! We saved her! We were there to take care of her when you weren't. She suffered because of you! If you truly cared about her, you would not have put her in danger in the first place." Aramis grabbed the boy by his jacket, pulling him up to his feet, the stool falling to the floor with a loud noise. For the first time since he had arrived in Paris, Christophe looked genuinely scared. The Musketeer's face was still bruised from the tavern fight, and he looked like a rogue. There was much hatred in his eyes, more than when Porthos had threatened him.

"Easy, Aramis. Let him go." Athos forced him to release the young man who retreated as far away as he could.

"What is wrong with him?"

"Be quiet," his uncle ordered. "Go get some fresh air, Aramis. Porthos, go with him."

"I would have hit him," Porthos said when they were in the corridor. His friend knew his behaviour would not be questioned. They felt the same about Christophe. Aramis rested his head on the wall, breathing angrily.

"It is hard to believe they are brother and sister. He does not seem to realize all the pain he has caused. His parents are dead and he still acts as if it was nothing."

They heard footsteps coming in their direction and Aramis took a deep breath, trying to hide his anger from Elise. She was balancing a heavy trail in her arms.

"Is everything fine?" she asked. There were more shouts heard from the office and she looked at them, puzzled.

"You brother is quite a piece of work," Porthos conceded.

"He has always been a difficult child, but I am sure these trials will make him come around."

"I hope you are right, Elise. Let me help you." Porthos opened the door for her and she disappeared inside. "Let's get out of here."

Night had fallen for quite some time already and the air was growing chilly. Aramis did not feel like going back inside, though. His friends had gone into town once again more to celebrate Athos being a simple Musketeer again than the return of their Captain. He had brought some new troubles along and Aramis was not looking forward to dealing with Christophe again. He was in no mood to celebrate tonight so he had stayed behind. Leaning on the balcony, he was looking at the stars.

"They are beautiful," Elise said quietly, leaning next to him. She was clutching a heavy shawl to her shoulders and her hair was down, her curls draped on one side of her face.

"Some say if you look closely, you may see shapes and patterns."

"Is that so?"

"I have never seen anything more than glimmering lights."

"I still find them incredibly beautiful to look at."

"I can think of prettier and closer things to gaze upon," Aramis stated, looking at her. She laughed, coming closer to him and taking his hand in hers.

"Aren't you the charming man with your sweet compliments!" She played with his fingers for some time, marvelling at how big they were compared to her own. They were rough as well, but she enjoyed this feeling. She looked behind her to make sure that nobody was coming in their direction. It was too dark to see anything from afar and there was a single lantern on the balcony. They were quite safe.

"I heard you rather scared my brother. Of all the Musketeers I think you are the one he fears the most now."

"He is so full of himself and I felt it was a sign of disrespect for him to believe that his actions would be forgiven so easily."

"It bothers me to see that he does not seem to have any remorse. I hope it is simply because he is still in shock and he will soon realize what has happened. Thank you, though. For protecting me like you do."

Elise rested her head on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head. Everything was peaceful after all the agitation and she rejoiced in the simple feeling of being with him.

"I was in the Palace this morning. I saw him. He looked better." She squeezed his hand.

"That's a relief."

"I saw someone else as well. Do you remember Marguerite, the girl Porthos spoke about once?" He had long hesitated to bring up the subject. If he wanted to start afresh, he had to come clean with her. She deserved that much. He felt her nod against his arm. "I spoke with her. We used to have...a thing going on, but I told her that I wanted to put an end to it. Not that I had seen her even since you kissed me. I am not like that. I could not let her think there could be more between us when all I desire is to be with you."

She looked up, searching his eyes in the darkness.

"You do?"

"Yes. But I want you to really think about it. I already told you it would be a dangerous life. Nothing tells us that my secret will be safe forever. I may have to run away one day and being a traitor is even more perilous. Think hard on it. Even without this, I will often be gone for days and you will not know what I am up to most of the time. Ask Constance why she did not leave her husband to live with d'Artagnan."

"It is different. She is already married, I am not."

"I could be injured or maimed."

"I would nurse you."

"I could very well not survive a fight."

"I would bring you back to life."

"Do not joke. I am serious, Elise."

"So am I. I have thought about it for a long time. Perhaps it is because you saved me, perhaps it is because of all the secrets you've shared with me, but I feel closer to you every day. I cannot imagine my life without you in it."

"It's been a long time since I've felt that way as well," Aramis whispered, resting his forehead against hers. Their lips touched slowly and they forgot for a moment that they were not alone at the Garrison. They would always have time to worry about the rest of the world later.