Richelieu's Revenge
Chapter Twelve
A week later Athos and Porthos were waiting outside the prison. Finally the gates opened and Aramis and d'Artagnan emerged. Both looked tired, with dark circles under their eyes. Porthos lunged for Aramis and grabbed him in a bear hug. Athos, being more restrained, held out a hand to d'Artagnan.
"What were you thinkin'," Porthos roared, causing Aramis to flinch at the volume.
"They weren't thinking. That was the trouble," Athos said.
"Porthos, I can't breathe." Aramis squirmed in the tight embrace.
Porthos released him and stepped back. "You stink."
"So would you if you'd just spent a week in prison. There weren't exactly any amenities," Aramis said.
"A bath would be nice," d'Artagnan said wistfully.
"I'm sure that can be arranged." Athos shepherded them away from the prison.
"I suppose Treville is angry," Aramis said.
Athos gave him a pitying look. "More like furious. I wouldn't be surprised if he gave you two the worst assignments for the next few weeks."
"That's not fair," d'Artagnan said. "We've served our sentence.
"Not in his eyes. Don't worry though. He'll forgive you….eventually."
Athos allowed Porthos and d'Artagnan to walk ahead and held out a hand to slow Aramis down.
"What's the matter?" Aramis asked.
"I am concerned that Richelieu might be getting suspicious. If Treville is right, the Queen advocated strongly for you and d'Artagnan. Added to that is the timing of her pregnancy and the fact that we were alone with her at the convent."
"We were hardly alone," Aramis protested.
Athos raised an eyebrow. "You didn't let that stop you."
Aramis' eyes narrowed before he gave a sheepish smile. Then he sobered. "She took a risk."
"Yes. Be very careful, Aramis. I've seen how you look at each other. It has to stop."
"I love her."
"She is the Queen. You can't love her, and neither can you love her child."
"It's difficult, Athos."
"If the truth comes out you will both be executed. Think of her safety if you won't pay attention to your own."
"Oi, are you two comin'" Porthos shouted.
Athos patted Aramis on the back. "Just think about what I've said."
Back at the garrison they encountered Captain Treville in the yard. He looked Aramis up and down and then gave the same treatment to d'Artagnan.
"Get cleaned up and then report to me. Athos. Porthos. You're due on duty at the palace.
He walked away while Aramis and d'Artagnan watched him apprehensively.
TMTMTM
Once he had washed and changed his shirt and underclothes Aramis began to feel better. He was immensely grateful to have been released. The conditions in the jail had been primitive and he was convinced that he had caught lice. That thought made him scratch an imaginary itch on his arm. He dragged a comb through his unruly hair and inspected it carefully. He gave a sigh of relief when he found nothing. Even so he decided he would give his hair a good wash later. He left his weapons lying on the bed and went to fetch d'Artagnan. Together, they approached Treville's office.
Aramis knocked and waited to be invited to enter. Treville sounded irritated, which didn't bode well for the coming interview. The Captain kept them standing to attention while he finished reading a document. When he looked up his displeasure was clear to see.
"I hope you two have thought long and hard on your stupidity."
D'Artagnan nodded enthusiastically.
Treville's eyes narrowed. "Aramis?"
"They deserved to be punished for what they did to Porthos."
"Yes, they did, but not by you."
"No one else was doing anything."
"Life frequently doesn't fall out the way we would like. That doesn't give you the right to break the law. This vendetta against the Red Guard is over. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Captain."
"If I hear any more reports of trouble I will shoot you myself."
Aramis didn't believe that for a moment but the fact Treville had been moved to make the threat brought home the extent of the Captain's anxiety. He endured Treville's piercing stare, hoping that he was giving a sufficient impression of submission.
Treville broke eye contact and sat back in his chair. "You are both on night duty for the next two weeks. D'Artagnan, you will guard the King. Aramis, you are responsible for the Queen. And, you might thank Her Majesty if you see her. If not for her intervention you would both be dead."
Aramis' heart began to pound. To be so close to the Queen would be sweet torment. All thoughts of Athos' warning fled his mind. He began to look forward to going on duty.
TMTMTM
At nine o'clock that night Aramis took up his post outside the doors leading to the Queen's private apartments. Shortly after he arrived he heard the sound of female voices approaching up the staircase. The Queen, followed by three of her ladies, soon appeared and walked along the hallway towards him. He kept completely still, his gaze straight ahead.
As the Queen drew level with him he bowed and was acknowledged by a slight incline of her head. Then she was gone into her inner sanctum which even the King was forbidden to enter without her invitation.
He tried to concentrate on his duty, but all he could see was her beautiful face and the rounding of her body. His child…she was carrying his child. Try as he might he couldn't regret this consequence of their night together.
Time passed and the Queen's ladies left. The palace quietened. The door behind him opened.
"Aramis," the Queen said softly.
Startled he turned towards here. "Your Majesty. You shouldn't be here."
"Come in. Please."
Aramis looked around worriedly but there was no-one in sight. "That would be unwise. If someone were to come along I would be reported for deserting my post. And, if we were found out, think of the consequences."
"Just for a minute," she begged.
Much against his better judgement he followed her inside and closed the door. They stood close together without touching.
"I am pleased you have been released from the dreadful place," she said. "You are well?"
"Yes, thanks to you."
"It was nothing."
"You saved my life, and d'Artagnan's. You took a risk opposing the Cardinal. I wouldn't have you compromising your safety."
A look of fear crossed her face. "I think he suspects something. I'm frightened, Aramis."
It was unlike her to show such overt emotion and it worried him. "Even if he suspects there is no proof."
"The King doesn't need proof. If he even thought for a minute that this child wasn't his…" Her voice trailed away and she put a hand protectively on her rounded belly.
"Has the King shown any hint of suspicion?"
"No."
"Richelieu would be taking a grave risk by telling him without proof. If we are careful, all will be well." He took her hand and bent to kiss it. He held on for longer than was polite but she didn't object.
"I must go," he said. "Know that I am ever your loyal protector." He reluctantly released her hand and turned towards the door.
"Stay safe, Aramis."
"Try not to worry. Once the child is born it will be all the King thinks of. It would be a brave man who labelled it a bastard." He took a final look over his shoulder before opening the door a crack and peering out. Seeing no-one, he slipped outside and resumed his post.
Tbc