A/N.
Hi all! First of all thank you for the reviews! I would like to thank the person who let me know about the "Sir vs Sire" situation - silly me thought it was the same thing. I've fixed it now. Thank you!
Then there was a wonderful person who wrote a terrific and detailed review, mentioning that some of the humour was harsh - and I would like to say something about it, to explain where I'm coming from with this story.
The story takes place between episodes 2x05 and 2x06 in the period when Milady is the King's mistress with money and power. It always came across as strange to me how in the series Athos is quite hateful towards her until she volunteers to help the king. Suddenly he cares for her and worries for her safety. For me it didn't make sense: it's quite clear that he has passion and lust for her, but it's also quite clear how much he truly hates her and hates himself for not being able to stop thinking about her and loving her. Her desire to help the king in order to save her position in court can't have turned him into the caring type he acts as in 2x06. She is still his brother's killer, she is still the woman who ruined his whole life, burnt his house down, tried to kill him several times, tried to kill Constance and did other horrible deeds in his opinion. She is still the woman he swore to kill if he ever saw her again, except she is now under the king's protection enjoying her untouchable status. He still hates her and there's no reason for him to worry about her safety. (I'm not denying that deep inside he still loves her, but it's a tortured feeling, not a happy one so of course it's all super complex) So I decided to write this story as a kind of a filler between 2x05 and 2x06 to show exactly how Athos's perception of her changes. The story is told from his point of view and he is constantly suspicious of all her actions, and there's no doubt to me that in the beginning of the story he truly hates her for being who she is and having done what she had done. So the humour between them is harsh because it's not meant to be a playful chatter. It's meant to be hurtful and spiteful and it's the way they communicate when they are forced to be together for a long period of time. I hope to show how that would change over the course of the story, as Athos comes to understand that not everything is black and white and as he learns more about her and the way she makes decisions, about what drives her, about how she handles herself in various situations. We know that from 2x06 they slowly start gravitating towards each other and I hope that in this story I can lay a firmer foundation for that.
If you're still reading this, you're my hero! I'm sorry it's so long! On to the chapter, I hope you enjoy it!
x.A.
Chapter 4
"My Lord, Elise! You look amazing! Let me see!" The Annabelle woman held his lying wife at arm's length admiring her attire. "My, my, you look like a princess!"
"Thank you!" Milady faked a silly reverence making the other woman giggle. "I was actually just passing by the town and couldn't resist the urge to see you."
"You are walking from our house, not to it." Annabelle frowned. "Was it that Serge didn't open the door or that you didn't knock?"
"I…" Milady shot the woman a guilty look (fake no doubt) and Athos saw Annabelle's face fall victim to compassion. He truly pitied the woman, but she wouldn't be the first person to be fooled by the vile creature in the golden necklace.
"Never mind, dear. Is this handsome young man your companion?" Athos felt uncomfortable under the woman's stare. He could tell now that she was in her late forties and her face bore a mark of kindness.
"Him? No, he is here to ensure my safety. As a guard."
"Oh my. You're here, you're dressed like a real lady and you have a bodyguard! How exiting. I might just forgive you for disappearing on us."
"I am truly sorry, Annabelle."
"Well it's all in the past now! Come on, Serge will be ecstatic to see you!"
"Well… Athos, wait for me by the carriage. Have something to eat - we have a long way ahead of us."
Before Athos could protest the older woman cut in:
"Elise, why don't we invite the young man to dine with us? I mean I know he's your help, but we are simple people… It's not nice to leave him out because of his background. You should know that after what happened to you with…"
"Fine!" Milady stopped the woman from continuing and shot her a stare. "But I'm sure he'd prefer to be alone and have some rest from me and my never-ending demands, wouldn't you, Athos?" It sounded more like an order, then a question - and it was quite obvious she didn't want him witnessing whatever she was planning to do. So naturally he answered, his voice soft and alluring:
"I could never tire of your company, Milady."
"Well that's settled then!" Annabelle answered cheerfully, grabbing his seething's wife elbow and dragging her along. Athos followed suit and he could swear he heard the older woman whisper:
"I must say, darling, your bodyguard is charmant indeed! You should definitely take a closer look! Or are you married now?"
"You are aware that he can hear your every word, aren't you?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry! How silly of me! He might get some ideas though. The right ones." Now Athos could almost believe the women in front of him were friends for real - simply because it came to light that Annabelle's seemingly good-natured attitude hid a very manipulative streak beneath.
"Annabelle!" It seemed his wife shared his amused annoyance at the woman.
"Fine. I'll stop even though I must admit it's quite fun to see your cheeks redden. Oh, wasn't supposed to say that out loud either! Sorry!"
"No. you're not." Milady's tone was playful and if Athos didn't know better it would seem like they are just three friends in a dark alley going home for dinner.
"So are you?"
"What?"
"Married?"
"No. Not anymore. He died."
"Oh. Which one? The one who tried to kill you?"
"No. The other one. And could we not bring him up?"
"Whom? Your new husband?"
"No. The old one."
"Was he old too?"
As Milady's soft laughter filled the air Athos could kiss Annabelle's lack of boundaries. This trip was a nightmare, but the upcoming dinner could prove enjoyable if she kept this up.
It seemed they've reached their destination - the woman opened the door and let them into a cozy small apartment. The living room was lit by a large fireplace and as soon at they entered a deep voice called from the kitchen:
"Did you get the bread dear? I'm finishing up here!"
"I got the bread and I also got you something even better, Serge! Come out and see!"
Milady looked uncomfortable and Athos wondered why that would be… It wouldn't surprise him if her history with that… Serge was tainted.
Serge turned out to be a tall man in his fifties, still handsome even with grey hair. He appeared in the kitchen doorway wearing a tired expression, but as soon as his gaze fell upon Milady his blue eyes sparkled, lighting his whole face with a youthful happy glow.
"Elise, darling!" He stretched his hands out and Athos watched, enthralled as the killer he had come to hate pressed her hand to her lips to stop them from trembling and walked right into those open arms, clinging to the man like a little girl. "Now, now." Serge said, stroking her hair. "How lovely to see you, we have missed you terribly." They stayed like that for a couple of minutes and Athos watched the man exchange a warm look with Annabelle. His eyes were proud, life a father's would be and Athos felt like an intruder in this house. He came here out of spite and suspicion, but witnessing Milady be so utterly undeniably human was not what he was in any way prepared for.
Annabelle motioned for him to sit at the large table by the fireplace and he obliged, taking his vest off along the way only to have it taken out of his hands by the woman of the house and placed in the small wardrobe by the door. Annabelle moved around the place swiftly, and soon there was bread and fresh vegetables on the table, along with some home-made drinks and cheese. It wasn't much, but by the looks of it it was more then this family would have on a normal day and Athos once again felt a tinge of guilt for coming into their house under false pretences. No matter what Milady's game was he shouldn't be involved in deceiving those kind unsuspecting people.
"I'm sorry." He heard Milady's voice and it must have been meant for Serge because the man answered immediately:
"Me too, darling." He led her to the table, pulling out a seat for her. "The thing is… I didn't know you'd be stopping for dinner and I'm afraid we only have onion soup."
"Oh no!" Milady laughed and Serge joined in, sitting down to nip on some bread and cheese.
Milady followed his example and Athos watched her delicate fingers send a piece of cheese in her mouth when Annabelle slipped onto her seat beside her.
"It's a thing, onion soup, you see." She told him a-la confidante. "You know Elise now, when she's a lady and all, but once, several years ago she was among the simple folk, just like you. Yes, yes, believe it or not," she said, mistaking his lack of reaction for shocked silence. "And she was in need of help, you see…"
"I'm the town doctor." Serge smiled at him and stood up, stretching his hand out. "I'm sorry for not being gallant earlier, it's not often when someone dear who was believed to be lost forever suddenly reappears. Please, accept my sincere apology."
Athos shook his hand. "No apology needed, sir. I am Athos, of the… Lady Elise personal guard." He couldn't quite explain the lie to himself, but something like gratitude flickered in said Elise's eyes and he decided to play along until he found out what her plan was.
"A pleasure to meet you, Athos. This is my wife, Annabelle. Married for almost thirty years, aren't we?"
"Oh, I don't know, Serge, seems like it was juts yesterday that you proposed. If I remember correctly you weren't too coherent."
"I was a mess." Serge admitted with a tender smile and Milady giggled. It was almost a foreign sound, too light, too fresh, too innocent for someone like her. Serge's voice brought his mind back to the conversation: "Don't mind Elise, it's just she heard this story a thousand times. Annabelle never gets tired of telling it."
"Especially if you're talking to a person who never talks back! It was so tiring, no wonder I happened to repeat myself."
"You could have always read her a book, dear."
"I tried, but all I have was those romance novels and she would…"
"Annabelle." There was a tinge of steel and a warning in Milady's voice and the woman stuttered.
"She… would have none of those." She finished awkwardly and it was quite obvious she was afraid she had said too much. Hoping to save the situation she went on hastily: "Hence the online soup thing: as I said, she needed help - she was injured quite badly and she couldn't speak at all for months… not could she eat anything solid - only soup. And we couldn't afford to buy meat often, so mostly it was onion soup for weeks."
"I still remember the day her voice came back." Serge finished for Annabelle. "I had almost given up hope of ever hearing her voice when she said and I quote "I'm never having that terrible soup ever again!" Yes, that's what she said. She was weak like a kitten, but always witty this one. I remember it like it was yesterday." He smiled nostalgically and turned to Milady who was being strangely quiet. "You've made a wonderful recovery my dear, one would say a miraculous one."
"It must have been the soup." She teased and laughter broke out, warm glances were exchanged, bread and cheese passed around. Just like your average family dinner.
Athos felt his throat close up. He had never truly though about how she survived before, it was merely a fact that she was alive, well and breathing. Revengeful. Plotting. Dangerous. Now that he was faced with the truth of the suffering he caused her, he was torn between regretting her pain and regretting his cowardice. Had he stayed to watch her die none of this would have happened. She wouldn't have had to go through months of pain and eating nothing other then onion soup and the nice couple wouldn't have had to spend their last money extending welcome to the murderer in their house.
"By the way, Serge, is the money still tight?" Milady's question was dead onto what he was thinking and once again Athos wondered if the woman truly had devil's powers. But her attention was focused on Serge only, her hand reaching for his.
"You know how it is, Elise." Annabelle answered for her husband, her voice thick with emotion. "People need help, they don't always have the means."
"I know." Milady's head was down, but she forced a smile back onto her face. "I'll have some of that soup now please!" And just like that the tension was gone, the laughter ensued and the gloriously terrible soup was served. After that the conversation flowed into the "he's" and "she's" of her past in this town, the usual talk of marriages and adventures.
Athos was surprised to discover she really had made a home here for quite some time, judging by the way she was around these people and by the number of other folk she remembered. He had to admit it was quite strange watching her in this setting, in this perfectly ordinary house of perfectly good people, making perfectly innocent talk about neighbours and such. He kept quiet mostly, careful not to eat too much, which didn't go unnoticed by Annabelle who stared him down angrily and said she wouldn't have the guest she invited for dinner leave hungry. he had to oblige and eat properly, catching Milady's teasing look a couple of times. She surely enjoyed this, him being berated like a boy by a woman who would hear none of his arguments. But tonight he didn't have it in him to be angry at her anymore so he let it slide, enjoying the meal and the company of this loving pair and ignoring his for once not so evil wife.
"Pay attention darling, he's one of the good ones." Annabelle said as she hugged Milady goodbye.
"And he is still not deaf." Milady scoffed, but the woman paid no attention to her whatsoever:
"Look after her, will you?" She addressed him and he didn't have the strength to lie her in the face saying that he would. He managed to come up with a vague half-nod instead.
"I'll wait outside, Milady. A pleasure to meet you, Annabelle. Serge." He'd seen enough and he felt she should be allowed a moment of privacy to say goodbye. No matter who she was, they seemed to be her people and they seemed to be quite fond of her for whatever reason. Then again he himself used to be utterly smitten with her so he could understand where they were coming from. He just hoped to save them the pain of ever finding out what kind of a creature they fell victim to.
Milady appeared on the doorstep, closing the door behind her quietly. Before they could leave, Serge followed her, catching her by the arm and shooting Athos a wary look.
"Annabelle might be oblivious, Elise, but I am not." Athos bristled up, alert. Now was the moment the truth would come to light. And he was almost fooled by all the smiles and the family atmosphere, but of course it was never that simple.
"You show up here three years later, dressed like a princess with a King's Musketeer on your arm. The king's musketeer who is your personal guard?" Serge continued and Milady was suddenly busy studying her feet. Athos wondered what it was about the man that reduced her to looking like a guilty child so easily.
"Serge…"
"You don't need to explain yourself darling. God knows I am not your father. Just please tell me you know what you are doing so I can sleep at night." Athos was almost disappointed at this display of trust and affection. It seemed like there really was nothing more to the story then what was on the surface, no deep waters to thread for once.
"I wish I could, Serge." She whispered. "But I will be alright, I promise. I can look after myself."
"Don't I know that!" He enveloped her in another hug and Athos wondered if him feeling like an intruder was over for the evening.
"And Serge…" He was already re-entering the house when Milady called.
"What is it, dear?"
"I never had a father and… In my head I think of you as… All I'm saying is I'd like to have to explain myself to you sometime." The man nodded, lost for words, a happy smile blooming on his handsome face. Athos saw his blue eyes water and found himself looking away from this man, undone by her words. "And please tell Annabelle that some precious things that are found were most probably never lost in the first place."
"Come back sometime, Elise."
She nodded and watched the man she would like to call "father" disappear behind the feeble door. Athos could swear he saw her shudder at the sound of that door closing shut, but he refrained from saying anything.
As he was helping her get into the carriage, her bare neck caught his eye, her scar angry and dark in the moonlight.
"I take it some precious things were left behind on purpose?" He asked before he could stop himself.
"Wake the coachman." Her voice was cold, reminding him that the woman he had just had dinner with was a myth, a dangerous fantasy he couldn't afford to believe in.
"What are you going to tell his Majesty? That necklace is worth a fortune, he will not be happy."
"I'll just say the robbers stole it."
"Really? Which robbers?"
"The ones that are probably going to attack us in this hour on the way to Versailles."
"It's nice to know the legend just in case."
"Oh? Are you telling me that noble Athos is willing to corroborate my lies now?"
There was no good comeback for that. Would he or wouldn't he? Lying to the King was treason of the state, but leaving those kind people live in poverty was treason of the soul. Damn this woman for always putting him in an impossible situation.
"I will in this case." He growled and went on to wake the coachman.