Chapter XXXIV
Aramis did not know how strong and reassuring he could make his embrace. He knew the Queen would not have minded anything, but they were not alone in the house, even though everybody sounded asleep. No matter how hard he was trying to ignore it, her stomach was pressed against him. Would it feel the same with Elise? When he had left his wife the previous day, taking a long look at her to remind himself how her body looked, you could barely have said that she was pregnant. In spite of his duty, the Musketeer was longing to return to her side.
"Perhaps you are right. The King may not be so furious after all," the Queen said after a while. Her body was not shaking anymore, she was slowly coming back to her senses.
"He will be grateful you and your children are safe."
"Thanks to his Musketeers. Thank you, Aramis."
"We were only doing our duty, your Majesty."
"You know what I mean." She looked up, drying her eyes with the handkerchief. He nodded.
Heavy footsteps came in their direction and she took a few steps back, leaving the warm embrace of the soldier. Porthos had returned with some food.
"I hope it is enough for her Majesty." He motioned to the trail in his hands, overflowing with any item he had found in the kitchen. How could he know how hungry she was?
"Thank you. Bring it upstairs." Porthos started up the stairs followed by the Queen. She wished him a good night when he set the trail in her bedchamber.
Coming down to the entrance of the house to resume his watch, he saw Aramis leaning against the wall.
"I cannot sleep. I can take over if you want."
"Keep me company instead or I will fall asleep," Porthos muttered, stifling a yawn. They remained in silence for a few minutes before he could not contain it anymore and had to ask. "What was that about?"
"What? The Queen was hungry, you gave her something to eat."
"Do not take me for a fool," the other growled. "What were you doing?"
"Talking."
Aramis did not look up until his friend was so close to him he had no other choice. Portho's eyes were dark and angry.
"Aramis..."
"I am telling you the truth. I asked her if she was feeling well when you were gone. We were talking. Is that a crime now?"
"She was in your arms. The Queen was in your arms. In which language does it translate into 'talking'?" Porthos was seething. Surely, his friend could not be that stupid. The other remained as calm as he could. At least he was lucky it was Porthos who had witnessed the embrace.
"She was distressed and she started to cry. What was I to do?"
"Tell her that we were doing our maximum to protect her."
"I did, but it was not efficient. She asked me, Porthos. Who do you think I am? Do you really believe I would go around hugging the Queen for no reason?" he challenged. It would have been true a year ago and it was surprising to realize that he no longer had this type of feelings for her Majesty. Porthos stared at him in silence. "You would have done the same thing if she had asked you."
"I don't think so," he scoffed. "If I did not know you better, Aramis...You are lucky it's me and not one stupid maid who would go around making up stories." Porthos shook his head, deciding to believe his friend's story.
Without another word, he took his position by the front window, his eyes strained outside. They did not say another word until Porthos left to rest. The Queen had been scared and, being a human being before anything else, she had sought comfort. In his heart, Aramis was aware that she would not have asked anybody else to hold her in their arms. He also knew that he should have refused to do so as it had, indeed, been dangerous. Nevertheless, he could not turn his back on someone who was hurting.
They had to leave this house as soon as possible. The close proximity of all its inhabitants could become a source of problem.
At first light the next morning, two Musketeers were sent back to Paris with a letter for Captain Tréville. The others were left to wait for the new orders. When she came down, the Queen only wished to be back on the road as fast as possible. Her safety could not be jeopardized so Athos explained with all his diplomatic skills that her wish could not be granted. It angered her for about two minutes.
Arrangements were made in the house. All the Musketeers' equipment was put out of reach. The Dauphin was walking everywhere, holding Marguerite's hands. Everything he saw amazed him and he would have certainly attempted to touch a sword or a pistol if they had been left within his sight.
The governess had not completely recovered from the attack, yet, her duty was more important and it brought her comfort to look after the heir. He was laughing and pointing at everything new. The white ground outside was of particular interest. He spent a long time by the window, his tiny hands pressed against the glass, watching snowflakes fall. He hardly went outside the Palace when he was in Paris. There was so much protection around him there that this unfortunate interlude was welcomed by his mother.
The Queen paced in the living room, unable to settle down. She was anxious to know Captain Tréville's answer and she was also ready to go against it. Going back to Paris would not be permitted. Saint-Germain was the place where she wanted to be to give birth. It was not often that she could spend so much time away from the King and she had no intention of giving up the opportunity easily.
The Countess was trying to make conversation with her as it was expected from a host. Unfortunately, the Queen did not have a lot to offer to contribute to the dialogue. They were talking about poetry and she could not concentrate. There was much agitation around them. Wherever they went, there were men in uniforms. Most of them were idle. They were trying to make as little noise as they could, but old habits were hard to restrain.
Athos suggested that her Majesty retire to her bedchamber after there was a commotion in the dining room and it startled her. Being alone in such a small room was a prospect far less appealing than the soldiers' laughter. She declined it. Watching her son toddle happily, discovering new objects, was the best distraction. She had not seen Aramis at all. Although she wondered where he was, she was glad he was keeping his distance.
The Dauphin clearly remembered him from the many nights he had come to the nursery. For the past months, after they had agreed to not speak in front of him anymore, there were nights when the Musketeer would simply keep watch in the nursery corridor. Then, there were nights when the Queen would dismiss the nurse or the governess as she often did, and Aramis would be allowed inside his son's bedchamber. Although they hardly spoke during these times, the Musketeer had taken to play with his son when he could not sleep. His face was known more than it should and the child even remembered his name.
It was dangerous, oh so dangerous. It could not be said that she had not tried to stop it because she had. Everything was fine when they were in a normal and familiar environment such as the Louvres. They knew how to behave around each other, they knew the ways of the Palace, and Aramis hardly ever saw his son during daytime. Here, though...They had to leave as quickly as they could. The Queen dreaded the mistakes the Dauphin could innocently make.
They had lit candles in the entire house to make it as welcoming as possible. Porthos was entertaining the Dauphin with magic tricks. The little eyes went wide when the coin which used to be in the Musketeer's hand disappeared to reappear behind Marguerite's ear.
"How do you do that?" the governess asked in wonder, as impressed as the toddler was.
"A magician never reveals his secrets. I am glad you enjoyed it," he added to the heir who was smiling and clapping his hands with delight. The Queen had seen many conjurers do this trick at parties and mascarade balls, but it always impressed her. "May I?" She nodded to give her assent.
"Look very careful, your Highness. Here it is..." Porthos showed him the coin before putting it in the palm of his hand. "And now...whiff, it's vanished!" He opened his hand to show it was empty. The heir's mouth opened without a sound. "Where is it? Oh, I think I've found it." Porthos touched the child's ear and suddenly, he was holding the coin.
The Queen could not help laughing when her son touched his ear in amazement, wondering how the coin had arrived there. He clapped his hands even louder, giggling so much that he lost his balance and lay down on the carpet. Marguerite hurried to sit him up again.
"That's amazing, Porthos," she congratulated him. "Where did you learn this trick?"
"When I was younger," he simply answered. She did not need to know where he had spent his childhood. "I can show you another one, if you wish. I'll need some cloth, a piece of lace or a handkerchief."
"Will this do?" The Queen handed him a black handkerchief. The tricks were greatly entertaining for her as well.
"It's perfect, your Majesty. Now, look." He wiggled it in front of the Dauphin's eyes, then closed his fist and pushed the cloth in it. "Magic!" he exclaimed, opening his fist. The handkerchief had vanished as well.
"Oooooh," the baby said, extending his fingers to touch the dark skin of Porthos' hand, where the miracle had happened.
"Perhaps we should hire you to keep my son entertained at the Palace." The Queen was smiling tenderly at the baby when the musketeer raised his head. As he was about to decline the offer, horses were heard outside.
"They're back!" Athos said, striding in the living room. There were at least ten soldiers dismounting in front of the mansion. A couple of minutes later, d'Artagnan and Aramis entered the room. They seemed out of breath.
"What news from Paris?"
"The Captain will not go against the Queen's wishes," Aramis explained, taking off his hat. He was breathing heavily. It had been a long time since he had covered such a great distance in only one day. It almost felt like he had been the one riding and not the horses. They were thankful they were able to changes mounts at the Garrison or they would have never made it back to the countryside.
"You brought reinforcements."
"All the Musketeers they could spare at the Palace. Red Guards will assume the King's protection until her Majesty is safely in Saint-Germain."
"What about the King? Has he said anything?" the Queen demanded, anxious to hear about her husband's reaction. Aramis briefly looked at her to reassure her.
"He does not know it yet, your Majesty. Captain Tréville deemed it wiser to wait for you to be safe at the Palace to tell him the entire story."
She remained focused and dignified, but she felt strongly relaxed by this new piece of information. Athos decided there was no point in leaving before morning. They would spend a second night at the mansion, the Count agreeing to it at once and sending word for a suitable dinner to be prepared.
The Dauphin was left to play with his governess since Porthos gathered with the others around the table to study a map of the area. They had to decide which road they would take this time, and what strategy they would adopt. The Queen hovered by, wishing to take part in the discussion, but not quite knowing what useful information she could provide.
"If we have more soldiers and only use one carriage, it could be safe to take the same road."
"I agree with Aramis. At least this one was wide enough. What is the state of the others?" Athos asked the Count.
"The one you were on is the best around here. The others are no more than dirt paths. A carriage never goes very fast on them."
"But what proof do we have that these bandits will not attack again?" d'Artagnan chimed in.
"Ghosts cannot hold a pistol."
"Of course. Other bandits, I meant."
"We are many more than yesterday. Aramis killed two, I managed to kill three by myself. If we are twenty, I'd say whoever comes to attack us will not stand a chance."
"So we have two choices," Porthos summed up. "Either we risk taking the same road or we take a less noble one and we risk prolonging the journey, which could be more dangerous. I say we take the better road."
"Agreed," Athos seconded. Aramis nodded to show his approval.
"It's settled then. We will have to go this way until we reach the main road. It should take no more than one hour and then, straight to Saint-Germain. No halt." Porthos followed the path to take with his finger on the map. Aramis noticed the handkerchief stuck in his jacket sleeve.
"That's mine. Buy your own." He snatched his belonging, pocketing it.
"No, it's not yours. It was given by..." He didn't finish his sentence. The Queen had her back turned, looking out of the window, hands on her stomach. Porthos narrowed his eyes at his friend.
"Well, if we have made our decision, I suggest we get some rest. I am exhausted!" Aramis yawned, stretching his arms above his head. As he was leaving to find a quieter place to relax, Marguerite stood up from the sofa.
"Thank you for yesterday." Her voice was warm and she looked really grateful. The Musketeer bowed his head. "You saved my life."
"I was not alone. I will take your gratitude nonetheless."
"Why do Musketeers always have to be so humble? It is as if you do not recognize how important your actions are."
"You should thank Porthos, then. I think you will soon find that not all of us are as humble as you might believe."
"I heard that, Aramis," the other muttered. The governess laughed quietly.
"Nevertheless, thank you Aramis."
"You're welcome."
He was halfway out of the room when the Dauphin started calling him back.
"A-mis? 'mis, 'mis, 'mis!"
It broke his heart to have to keep on walking. Acknowledging it meant dooming both of the baby's parents.