Chapter XIX
"We need to talk," Aramis decided.
Elise dreaded what he was going to tell her. He looked uneasy, fidgeting on his spot. It was not like him to be so nervous. There was something quite not right and she was not sure she wanted to know what it was. She did not think she could contain her anger if he brought bad news.
"I wanted to see you before going to see your uncle. I owe you an apology."
"What for?"
"I should not have left like I did this morning. It was wrong and you did not deserve it. I was scared."
"Scared?"
"Yes, ever since I became a Musketeer, I have seen so much violence. I have given so much violence that I never thought it would be possible for me to settle down. I never tried to because there was no need for it. Besides, there was no one I could see myself with. I did not want to give up such an adventurous and busy lifestyle. But now, I am not so sure anymore...Something has changed. My life is still rather complicated, you know that. However, I..."
"Are you scared your life is going to change?" Elise asked. "I have already told you I'll accept you, baby, Queen and soldiering. I don't see how this is changing your life."
"No, I am not scared of this change. I know what you said and I will never be able to thank you enough for it."
"What is it that you fear then?" He was hardly making sense to her. He looked like he wanted to come closer but dared not. There was a sheepish look on his face.
"Myself. You know what people think of me whenever women are involved. You saw how the Captain reacted. He did not want you to have anything to do with me. He's afraid of what I could do to you. I must confess that it worries me a little as well."
"People can change, Aramis."
"What if I can't? What if I am too weak? I don't want you to suffer because of me."
"It does you credit to worry so much about me. I trust you, Aramis, just like you trusted me with your secrets. I trust that you will not betray me; I will do everything in my power so you don't. Thank you for telling this to me. But I know what I am getting myself into." The Musketeer shook his head, a smile on his face. He felt quite relieved.
"It seemed impossible for me to find someone I would love enough and who would like me enough in return to consider marrying her. And then, there you came. I am not rich, Elise."
"It does not matter."
"It could become dangerous."
"You will teach me how to defend myself."
"We may have to run away."
"I have always wanted to travel." Aramis's smile broadened. When she wanted something, she stopped at nothing.
"Will you marry me?" Elise crossed the short distance between them, embracing him, her head on his chest. All the anger and fear left her heart.
"Yes, yes, of course yes!" She took off the hat from his head and tiptoed to reach his lips. There were tears on her face and her lips were salty from them. Holding her in his arms, Aramis knew it was the right decision. "I thought you were not coming back," she confessed.
"It takes some time to come to terms with such a big decision. I still don't quite believe it myself. I think I won't until we're at the altar. But one thing is certain, I love you, and I only want your happiness."
She hugged him more tightly, her arms around his neck.
"You've made my life better when I was at the lowest. You've changed my life."
"Shall we go ask your uncle if I may change it even more?"
She nodded on his shoulder and they went to speak with Captain Tréville.
The Captain was busy talking with Athos. The Musketeer was explaining some of the missions which had happened while the Captain was away. Someone knocked on the door and after a few seconds, in came his niece and Aramis. They were holding hands, as always.
"Athos, please, leave us," the Captain ordered. The Musketeer stared at his friend on the way out, clearly telling him that he better choose his words wisely and not make any mistake. "So you're back."
"Yes, Sir. I apologise for this morning. It was unfair for you to learn about our relationship the way you did. I should have come to you sooner." Aramis had decided to be nothing if not diplomatic. Tréville's eyes were fixed on him, and he was not saying a word. A silent nod showed he accepted the apology. "I love Elise. I love her with all my heart, and my only wish is that she has a good life where she can forget the horrors she's faced."
"You and I think alike on that matter."
"I believe I can help with this. I can provide protection, and affection, and care. Not a lot of money I'm afraid, but I hope we can find some arrangement."
Tréville sighed. His soldier sounded sincere. The words "Aramis" and "married life" had never seemed to go together. Then, his niece had to come along and change everything. If she was as stubborn as his sister used to be, it was no wonder Aramis had changed so radically.
"Is it what you really want?" he asked her.
"I've already said yes to him, uncle."
"It does not matter if it's in two months, two years or twenty. If you ever make a mistake and break her heart, I will break you," Tréville threatened, pointing his finger at Aramis.
"It will not happen, Sir."
"I've said I would accept what makes you happy. After all, he must be better than Monsieur Michel, am I correct?"
"Much better, uncle. So much better."
"Then, I give you my bless..." He did not have the chance to finish his sentence. Elise jumped to his neck, thanking him endlessly. There was a commotion outside in the corridor and the door opened on the three Musketeers who had obviously been eavesdropping on the conversation. There was much back-slapping and handshakes with their friend.
Aramis was smiling at them, relieved by Tréville's acceptance. He still could not realize what was truly happening to him; it was as if he was watching the scene from outside his body. He could hear Elise's laughter and see her smile before Porthos hugged her and she disappeared in his arms. He was already calling her "his sister". Yes, everything would be all perfectly fine in the end even though this new life left him insecure. Wine would certainly help.
Life became rather busy for Aramis after that night. He still had his many duties to perform as well as many discussions with Captain Tréville regarding his future with his niece. They had to find a place to live and unfortunately, being a soldier did not pay much. Elise offered her mother's jewellery since it was the only heirloom she had left.
It had been decided that the mansion in Orléans would be sold as no one wished to go back to inhabit it. Even though she was the oldest child, Elise was a girl and could not inherit it. The money would go to her brother. Aramis was furious at the idea of her being deprived of something she deserved. The Captain's feelings were similar and since Christophe was still a minor, he acted as his tutor. He decided to delegate some of this money to Elise to help her settle in her new house and life. It bothered Aramis that he could not provide all the money. Where was the honour in having your bride's family pay for everything? It was then decided that he would reimburse his superior when he would have the chance.
With all this agitation, his night duty at the royal nursery came as a much welcome soothing bubble. It would be a strange life he would soon have. Elise on one side, his son on the other.
"I heard you are getting married," Marguerite said to him, when she saw him in the corridor. She still resented him but she had the wisdom to act like a lady. "I wish you the best of happiness."
"Thank you." He bowed his head as she left, her skirts shuffling on the wooden floor. After a few minutes, a voice called for him from inside the nursery.
"Come in."
The Queen was sitting in an armchair, the Dauphin in her arms. He was holding some toy in his hand and its little bell was chiming. Aramis came to them, dropping to his knees to be closer to his son. He kissed his forehead. It was the first time he'd seen him since he recovered from his fever. Baby Louis looked completely healed and not at all tired despite the late hour.
"Good evening, baby. Good evening, your Majesty," he added quickly.
"It seems that you, Sir, are at the heart of many gossips at the Palace." When he raised his head, he saw that there was only kindness in her eyes as she softly spoke.
"I did not think her Majesty listened to such gossip."
"It is one of my many talents. They think I am not listening when in reality, I hear every word they say. I merely choose not to remember most of it. Is it a simple gossip, though?"
"No, it isn't. Well, it depends on what you have heard..."
"The word is that you are engaged to marry Captain Tréville's niece."
"That is correct indeed." Aramis sat down on the floor, his hand tickling his child. The toy was not interesting anymore and it fell to the floor with one last chime of its bell. The baby babbled as he tried to grab the fingers moving in front of his eyes.
"I am happy for you Aramis."
"Thank you, your Majesty."
"I could see that she was fond of you when you escorted her here. She will make you happy and she will give many healthy sons."
Aramis had often thought about it, about the children they would have together. They would never divert him from his first-born even though one day, he was well aware that he would have another first-born. He would get to be a real father for this one, one who would always be there, day or night. Not one who had to hide behind curtains and closed doors.
"You will take her to the Palace once you are married. I wish to see her again. She had a very interesting conversation."
"It will be my pleasure." The Queen smiled at him, pleased to see that he was a lot less miserable than the first time she'd seen him in the nursery. He looked like himself again, the Musketeer who had protected her at the convent. She shook her head, still smiling.
"What is it?"
"You. Married. I am sorry but I would never have thought such a thing would occur."
"Believe me, you are not the only one. I am the first one surprised by the turn of events. But if it is God's will, I will not go against it. She makes me happy."
"I see it on your face. You are lucky you have found someone like her, Aramis." A shadow passed in her eyes before she looked down at her child.
"It will not change anything for us, will it? I will still come watch over him when I am assigned to, and I will still be around to care for him. I promised I would remain your friend and there is no need for it to change."
"It is true that I look forward to the nights when you are on duty here. They are very dear to me. Won't it make your life complicated?"
"Her Majesty should not concern herself with my well-being. You have so much more to focus on, including him," he said, looking down at their son. "He will soon be toddling and you will spend your days chasing after him." Aramis grinned at her, imagining the Queen in her heavy dress trying to stop the heir was escaping. She laughed.
"It would not be proper behaviour, would it? No, I believe I will have to assign this task to others. Musketeers for example. It would greatly entertain the King and I to see such soldiers being at a loss against this little babe."
Aramis found it refreshing to see that she could forget that she was Queen of France to speak more freely and allow herself to joke. They both shared a laugh and it puzzled baby Louis who looked at their faces with big eyes. Then, he laughed as well, bringing joy to both his parents. As he left the Palace many hours later, Aramis kept thinking back on his conversation with the Queen. His life would not be more complicated than it was now. Instead of going back to a cold bed at the Garrison after his night watch and some very close time with his son, he would simply go back to his wife. His friends meant the world to him, he would die for them, but knowing that there would always be someone waiting for him at home, it was definitely something he could get used to.