Jocelyn returned from the ball flustered and after refusing assistance from Amelie to undress, she slammed the door to her room and sat down at her dresser going over the nights events. She couldn't be certain, but that face had seemed so familiar to her. A face from long ago, could she even be sure that it was definitely him?

...Clement 5 years earlier...

The two assailants fought hard trying desperately to disarm their opponent. The taller of the two thrust his dagger toward the shorter one only to find his target blocked and his arm caught in a vice like grip.

"Good Jocelyn, now parry."

Jocelyn smiled at her master and obeyed his command.

"Yes now lunge, block, Excellent."

Her lesson was over for today and the now sweaty teenager would have to clean and repack the weapons they had been using. The young girl did not mind, Tristan de Clement was a good teacher and treated her well. She often wondered where he had learnt to fight. She knew from her former master Sir Andre, that he had not been a captain of the guard as he had, and yet his skill with a blade was unmatched or so she thought. Jocelyn has asked him once before, but he had refused to answer and she daren't ask since.

"When you have packed away the pistols Jocelyn come in for your supper." Tristan shouted from the doorway to his kitchen.

"Yes sir."

Jocelyn had finished locking the cabinet and was just closing the door to the stable when she heard the sound of hurried horse hooves on the dirt track just beyond the borders of the farm. Tristan must have head them too as he came to the door again to see who was coming. When he saw who it was he smiled broadly and waved to the newcomer. Jocelyn looked from her master to the rider and noted from his appearance he was a man of consequence. He wore a coat and jerkin of black satin and leather that was heavily embroidered with lace and thread. He pulled the horse in expertly and greeted Tristan like an old friend.

"About time boy, where have you been?" Tristan asked excitedly.

"Forgive me father I was delayed on the road. You haven't been waiting too long I hope?"

"No. Welcome home. It is good to see you."

"You too."

The two men embraced one another and walked over to Jocelyn arm in arm. The confused teenager stood there and watched as this stranger came toward her. Tristan had never spoken of a son nor even hinted so she was surprised to say the least.

"Jocelyn, come meet my son, Rene."

Rene bowed his head to Jocelyn and flashed her a gallant smile.

o0o

Jocelyn continued to stare into the mirror on her dresser. She shook the memory from her mind and was about to rise when she remembered something. Something that she had locked away some years ago. Reaching for the top left drawer in her dresser she pulled it open slowly. There was not much in it, except for a few hair pins and old opened letters. Concealed quite cleverly was a compartment in the drawer. You could not see it as the seam was so well made. Jocelyn lifted the panel and pulled out a brass token. She lifted it to the light to inspect it more closely. Inside it was a miniature portrait.

o0o

"When do you leave?" Jocelyn asked Rene.

"I leave tomorrow at first light."

Rene moved around the stable preparing his livery and horse for the long ride the day after. He had been accepted in the Kings personal guard, The Musketeers. Jocelyn watched regretfully as he paid meticulous attention to the task at hand and handed him a strap when he could not find it. Rene looked at her hand to her face and gave her a look of disapproval.

"Don't look at me like that Jocelyn."

"Like what?"

Rene continued to pack his belongings and refused to look at the girl he had come to know over the past few weeks.

"Like you have come to mean something to me, and I to you?"

"Haven't I?" She barely whispered.

When he gave her no answer, Jocelyn turned on her heel and out the stable door, sending it flying as she went. As she crossed the farmyard, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes, Rene caught up to her and turned her about by her wrist.

"Why do this now, huh?" He shouted as he pulled her toward him.

"Rene let me go," She fought his grip to no avail.

"Jocelyn you are the most stubborn, hot tempered girl that I know." He was a good head taller than her and this was more prevalent now than it had ever been.

"Like you said I mean nothing to you,"

"That's not true, you mean everything."

Jocelyn stopped wrestling with him and merely stared at him in shock.

The next few moments were a blur all she could remember was a kiss and their bodies mingling together. When she came to her senses the light was waning and the master had still not returned. (He had left that morning to take some pigs to town and was most likely getting drunk in a local tavern.) Jocelyn lay naked in Rene's bed and he beside her. He lay on his front buy propped on his side looking down at the girl he had just bed and his insides tore. He was not in the habit of taking women to his bed but there was something about her that opened him up. But at the same time his heart was set on becoming one of the Kings' guard and nothing was going to stand in his way.

Jocelyn smiled up at him but noticed the pain on his face.

"You still intend to go?"

"I must Jocelyn."

The hurt woman sat up and clung to the sheets to cover her exposed body. She looked around the room and it was her turn to not meet his eye. She was ashamed she had allowed her emotions get the better of her. Rene also sat up and wrapped his arms around her. Sweeping the hair from her shoulder, he kissed the bare skin, then her neck and face.

"I will not be gone long, and when I can return I will come for you, I promise."

"How can you keep that promise?"

Rene produced a brass token for her.

"This was my mothers. My father gave it to her when they married. It is called a,"

"Lovers eye." She finished. Jocelyn had seen them before. Her own father had given one to his mother, but it had to be sold along with all his other possessions.

"This is my promise. When I return you shall give it back to me." He finished sincerely.

Jocelyn sighed and leant against Rene's chest and shoulder. She turned the token over and saw an inscription on the reverse. 'Aramis' is read.

"My mother's maiden name."

o0o