A few weeks had passed since our unfortunate introduction with the three. They were helpful, Athos aided us with our sword work, Porthos with our combat, and Aramis taught us how to shoot straight. I enjoyed being in their company, though I was always struck with guilt over my identity and how I wasn't being exactly honest with them. But then they had a harebrained idea. One that my brother dove into head first.
I found myself on a cold, March morning with my brother, Aramis, Athos, and Porthos. My brother was preparing to duel a Red Guard. Earlier I had voiced my thoughts of the matter, before gently reminding my brother not to get himself killed.
"What's the vital thing to remember in a duel?" Aramis leaned into my brother's shoulder in order to give him advice. I was nervous about what was about to occur.
"Honour?" My brother received a cuff to the head from Porthos.
"Not getting killed, right? Biting, kicking, gouging - it's all good." Porthos said. I felt a chill roll over me. My brother was going to end up killed. I just knew it.
"I was raised to fight like a gentleman."
"Were you raised to die young?" Aramis asked, his Spanish accent slipping through heavily. I gripped the back of Aramis' leather overjacket. He just sent me a grin and a nod. My brother had told the Musketeers that I was young, only fourteen years of age, so my anxiety was attached to my lack of winters. In actuality I was as old as my brother, but it would have been difficult to explain how a man of nineteen never grew whiskers or was so slight in build.
"You don't have to do this." Athos stepped in front of my brother. "It's Musketeer business."
"I can handle it." My brother handed Athos his glove. I sighed and hung my head at his determination. Athos walked away to take the glove and wave it like a flag. The Red Guard took the bait.
"Leo, I want you to stay with them," my brother said, as the Red Guard began to run at him. I nodded. "Promise me!" He cried out urgently as the guard was about twenty yards away. I held out my hand and pinky swore with him like we used to as children. I stepped back just as the Red Guard flew at my brother. He lost his short sword almost instantaneously and I didn't want to watch the rest of it. Then when he was punched and went down, I thought for sure my brother was done for. Then he brought his foot up and kicked the guard in the groin!
"I taught him that move." Porthos said to both me and Aramis with a chuckle. Then once my brother had the upper hand and the guard's sword, the Red Guards began to appear.
"Lay down your weapons!" They bellowed from their horses.
"Red Guards." Porthos said to Aramis and I.
"Red Guards!" Aramis parroted, only louder. We broke out in a run in the opposite direction of the guards. My brother on the other hand, ran straight for his short sword before running directly in the path of the guards. We stopped a few yards off to watch.
"Nothing more we can do for him." Athos said.
"No point all of us getting arrested." Porthos said. I looked at them, shaking my head in disbelief.
"He knows the Musketeer motto "Every man for himself"!" Then we all broke out in a run, back to Paris and Captain Treville.
"You knew the penalty for duelling, but let d'Artagnan go ahead!" Captain Treville spat at the older Musketeers. "I don't blame you Leo. You couldn't have stopped him." He put a hand on my shoulder, which I shrugged off instinctively. He looked at me before nodding his head slightly like he knew. I felt uneasy in that moment. The other Musketeers were just glad that it wasn't them that was getting a dressing down.
"I don't like this." Aramis said. "I've never been unpopular before." I winced at these words, knowing that Captain Treville had heard them and would be more furious than ever once he heard those words.
"Did any of you think at all?!" He continued on his tirade. I was just content that it wasn't me he was referring to.
"Try trading places with me." Porthos mumbled back.
"But you're used to it. I'm more the romantic hero type." He thrust his head back. I stifled my laughter, my shaking shoulders the only sign of my mirth. Then Treville got close to Aramis, upon hearing those words.
"D'Artagnan is in prison because of you." I really hoped Treville brushed his teeth that morning. Otherwise Aramis might say something that would possibly get him condemned. "Alone friendless condemned." With each word he stayed in front of one of the Three Inseperables. "I hope you're very proud! Dismissed!"
"D'Artagnan was taken to the Chatelet at ten this morning. He's awaiting execution, at His Majesty's pleasure." We were standing in Treville's office. "Congratulations. You had me convinced - and I knew the whole thing was a charade." Treville said with a slight smile.
"We certainly fooled the rest of the men." Aramis pointed out of doors. "They hate us." I had to think on that one. I guess my brother had been making good friends amongst the Musketeers.
"They think we betrayed a friend." Porthos growled. "It makes me sick."
"Provoking a duel was a brilliant idea." Treville reassured them, sitting behind his desk. "The world had to believe d'Artagnan's arrest was genuine."
"I still think one of us should have done it." Athos said. I perched on the edge of the desk.
"Vadim would never trust a King's Musketeer." Treville scoffed at the idea. "It had to be someone he didn't know."
"He's a Gascon farm boy - promising, but raw." Athos said, in a disbelieving manner. "There's too much at stake."
"Well, he has to prove himself sometime, so why not now?" Treville reasoned. He was right. If ever he had a thought of becoming a Musketeer, he would need to build his portfolio.
"Well, I think he can do it. And I'm a pretty good judge of character." Porthos said. I felt such affection for this kindhearted Musketeer. I would have to relay that to my brother when we were in private.
"You're a terrible judge of character, especially when you're sober." Aramis teased his friend.
"Vadim stole enough gunpowder to start a small war. Where is it? What was he planning? Where are his men? If d'Artagnan can bring us the answers, then his life is worth the risk." Treville wondered. "Tomorrow is Good Friday. The Queen pardons a few deserving prisoners at this time every year. I've put you all on her guard detail. You can check on him, then." With that the discussion was closed. "Leo!" Treville called as we were all leaving. "You are to stay at one of these Musketeer's apartments until further notice. I don't want you involved in this." I panicked. I couldn't stay there! They were men! I was a woman disguised as a man. But I nodded anyway. With luck the men would be gone for the majority of the time anyway to check up on my brother.
"A beautiful morning, Madame Bonacieux." Constance was dressed in a gorgeous gown. I was staying with Porthos until further notice, so I was sticking with the three Inseparables.
"I doubt if it looks so good from inside the Chatelet prison." She snipped back.
"You've heard about d'Artagnan?" Athos said in his bland, unimpressed voice.
"You know, these stories can be greatly exaggerated." Porthos tried to shed some light on the matter, but she wasn't really thinking.
"Really? Mm. I was told you led him into danger and then abandoned him!" She said, angrily. I wanted to shake her and tell her the plan myself, but 1) I wasn't supposed to talk, and 2) I couldn't just give the plan away like that.
"That one's about right." Porthos nodded, and managed to look ashamed.
"He's your friend." She exclaimed. "What are you going to do about it?"
"We've been getting along well, but I wouldn't say friends, exactly." Aramis stepped closer to her, taking a bite of his bread.
"He trusted you!" She almost yelled, slapping Aramis. His bread flew out of his mouth; I was just grateful I wasn't on that side of him. I might have shrieked.
"My most humble apologies, sir! I can't think what came over her." Bonacieux cried, as he reached his wife.
"Your wife's actions were justified. It is I who should apologise." He swept his hat off in a flourish to convey his apology. Bonacieux swept up Constance and led her off. I didn't miss those days. Especially as my punishment was usually severe if I had ever attempted something like that. "God, I love that in a woman." Aramis said while moving his jaw.
"What? Passion?" Porthos asked.
"Violence." Those two chuckled, before we all left the Garrison. I was taken to Aramis' house where I was given a cot to sleep in. The next morning Aramis was gone, he left a note informing me that he was going with Porthos, and Athos to the Chatelet, and not to expect them back for some time.
That night I had made a stew, which was the extent of what I believed a man could make, while I waited up for the Three to come here. I wasn't surprised when they flew in the doors. Athos was furious. I went up to him and curled my fingers around his wrist, in a silent query. I looked from one to the other and found the same, confusion, but Athos also had fury.
"What was Treville thinking to let D'Artagnan go there in the first place!" Athos exclaimed. He wrenched his hand from my grip. "Apologies Leo. Your brother is apparently now in league with Vadim." I backed away shaking my head in disbelief. My brother wouldn't do such a thing. He wants to be a Musketeer too much to turn away his life now.
"Leo, you made dinner?" Porthos raised an eyebrow. I simply shook my head and went to gather the plates and cups, as well as the stew.
"This is good lad!" Where did you learn how to make something like this?" Aramis said after taking a spoonful. I couldn't tell him it was my mother's recipe, so I quickly wrote on the piece of paper, he had written on that it was something I had to do for my father and brother after mother died. He nodded, patting my hand sympathetically.
The next night we were dining at Athos' house, who had commanded his servant Grimmauld, to bring us all chicken dinners. I was eating mine, and it was good, when the door suddenly flew open to reveal Constance. We all stood up at once.
"Athos!" She cried out. "Come quickly!" She motioned with her hands towards the streets and her house.
"And why is that?" Athos asked, a hint of coolness in his tone.
"It's D'Artagnan. He says for you to come!" With that we all jumped into action and began to follow her to her house.
"Vadim plans to murder the King and Queen. Some fantasy of a peasant rebellion." My brother stated. I stood beside him, my hand seeking the comfort he alone afforded me. He soothed me by taking my hand between his. "What's wrong Leo?" He asked concerned.
"I think the lad missed you!" Porthos bellowed. I nodded as I clutched at my brother. He just smiled at me indulgently and ran his hand over my head, before allowing himself to be caught up in the intrigues of court.
"Have you seen the gunpowder? Any weapons?" My brother shook his head at Athos' questions.
"What about his men?"
"In hiding." My brother responded to Aramis' question.
"When is this plan supposed to take place?" This raised the eyebrows of the other Musketeers. I just curled in tighter to my brother's side.
"Vadim's careful. He doesn't say much." My brother admitted.
"Does he trust you?" Porthos' question was a valid one. One I must admit was burning away at me. I didn't want my brother dead prematurely.
"As much as he does anyone. Felix doesn't, but I can handle him." D'Artagnan reassured, more me than anyone else. "Vadim said the secret to a good trick is to make people look the wrong way."
"What do you think he meant?" Aramis looked up from playing with his hat.
"Honestly? I have no idea." D'Artagnan looked as confused as I'm sure everyone else felt in the room.
"You've done enough. We'll take it from here." I didn't understand why Athos was so sure that my brother was going to fail.
"Pick him up now and the King and Queen are still in danger." I had to agree with D'Artagnan. But I also agreed with Athos.
"What do you suggest?" Honestly I was shocked, at this question of Athos'. He didn't seem the type who would listen to other's opinions. But maybe that's because I never got to ask any of mine and I saw him all the time veto the other's suggestions.
"I go back in." I dug my nails into his hands, making him hiss. There was no time for any banter or thoughts on this subject as Constance walked in with wine and five glasses.
"They told me about the duel and your imprisonment, that it was all faked." She sounded hurt and upset.
"Rather well, you have to admit." She slapped him harder, this time I would imagine. I shook with my silent laughter. Porthos began to laugh outright which made her turn her ire upon him. He raised a hand in innocence. "What for this time?"
"Letting me think the worst." She stated.
"First I thought you were a condemned man, then a fugitive and now this! How many ways can a man think of to get himself killed?" She stormed out of the room.
"I think she likes you." Aramis said in a stage whisper, around the cork of the wine bottle, as he began to pour wine for all of us.
"It's too dangerous." Athos came closer to my brother.
"I can do this. Trust me." They all silently conferred before Athos gave up and hit him lightly upon his shoulder. I shook my head. "Leo, I'll be fine. This evening, Vadim visited a woman called Suzette Pinault.
You'll find her in the Rue Lagrange. She's his mistress." With that my brother was gone.
"Tell me we've made the right decision." Athos said to the rest of us. I just shook my head in disbelief. He was definitely going to get himself killed.
"Absolutely." Aramis said draining his glass.
"Definitely."
"Well what could possibly go wrong?" Athos said sarcastically. I looked at him, my eyes filled with knowing. We were staying by the fire, letting my brother have his good-byes with Constance, drinking the last of the wine when we heard a shout for the guards. I looked up at the men with fear filled eyes and we immediately began to move.
"I order you to move!" Her husband demanded.
"Order away. I'm staying here, until you stop shouting and listen." Constance was brave. I would have never done such a thing.
"Step back, please, Monsieur." Athos attempted to placate the situation.
"This man is a wanted criminal." Bonacieux seemed aghast that we would let him go.
"I said, step back." Athos said in his low voice that offered dark promises.
"I suggest you do as he says." Aramis put his rifle on his shoulder.
"Is this a threat?" Bonacieux seemed to tremble, yet attempted to maintain a rigid front.
"Not yet." Porthos moved closer and put his hand on the hilt of his musket. The merchant decided it was against his odds of winning and took a few small steps back.
"Good decision." Aramis said, deliberately relaxing his stance. He pulled me closer to him with his left arm.
"Once again, I'm in your debt." My brother breathed into the ear of Constance before he took off.
"Good evening." Athos extended to her husband, before we all began to move off into the distance.
"Go home, Leo." Aramis said. "This isn't your battle to fight. You are not of age yet." I tried to protest with my actions, but he simply raised an eyebrow. Doing what he said, I stomped off to Aramis' flat, where I drifted off to sleep, shortly thereafter. Aramis came in later at night, I stirred and looked up. He smiled at me, before gently throwing another cover over me.
"Sleep." He said before walking up the stairs. I did so. When I awoke the next morning, Aramis was in full Musketeer garb and sitting at the table waiting for me to awake.
"Leo, I will be gone for most of the day. Do not leave this house!" He warned me. "Am I understood?" I nodded. "Fine. I will probably be home late. Do not bother to make dinner, we will probably go to the pub afterwards." Again I nodded. "But there is more than enough food for you, when you get hungry. I have books upstairs, and I think I even have my old violin somewhere." With this Aramis got up and left the house. I was left alone with nothing to amuse myself.
So I began the tedious task of cleaning his house. It was utterly filthy. The only good thing about me being the youngest and mute was that my brother could make excuses that I was kept at the house and expected to do the housework while my brother and my father worked the fields. It technically isn't a lie, I just usually didn't follow it and usually aided my family in the fields.
I began to sing while I worked, which helped calm me down. Night came and Aramis did not come. I finally fell asleep, when the moon was high in the sky. The next morning I awoke to Aramis holding his head in his hands. He was fully dressed and didn't look like he had slept. I touched his sleeve gently, hoping for an answer.
"I failed you and your brother. I am sorry," Aramis said. I looked at him confused. "D'Artagnan has been found out." My eyes widened in despair. He could read the questions in my eyes. "We aren't sure whether or not he is alive or dead." Sobs began to wrack my frame.
"There was blood found on the floor of the hideout that Vadim was using. D'Artagnan was nowhere to be found. I am sorry, Leo." Aramis did look contrite. Then the door banged open.
"Ready for the parade?" Porthos asked, with a sad grimace. I looked up to see Athos behind him.
"Leo, I know you wanted to come and see the parade in all its glory but it's not going to be safe." Athos said. "We owe it to your brother to keep you safe." I nodded my head. I didn't exactly want to go to the parade anyway with my brother tentatively dead or missing.
"Good lad," Porthos said, ruffling my hair with his hand. I swallowed thickly.
"I am sorry," Athos said, before turning. "Aramis! Porthos! Let us go!" With that they all three left the house. I curled up on my little cot and began to cry in earnest. If D'Artagnan was dead then that meant I had no choice. I would have no protectors and I would be forced to go back to my husband. I didn't wish that for the world. And it wasn't like I could get married here and be safe, as the marriage would be invalid.
Loud bangs began to rock the house. I curled up tighter as the dust began to fall from the ceiling. I wondered if this was going to be how I died. If so, I didn't wish it for the world. I would rather go out in a blaze of glory, but on the bright side if I was dead, my husband would have no claim upon me. Finally it all stopped and I walked into the kitchen in order to run water over my face and rid my body of all the dust.
Several hours later, jubilant voices came through the door. I walked out, calmly, though I was preparing myself for the worst when my brother walked in. I threw myself in his arms and let him calm me down.
"Aww, Leo," my brother soothed. "I'm sorry I gave you a fright." With that I punched him. Then I shook my head and hugged him again. "And you only had these three for company. It must have been frightful!"
"HEY!" Porthos exclaimed. I began to shake with silent laughter. Then I reached my hand up and lightly touched the dried blood on his forehead. Shaking my head I pushed him to sit down on the cot. Then I grabbed some rags from the kitchen, wet them and began to dab at his forehead.
"OW!" He exclaimed loudly. "Leo that hurt!" I just shot him a scathing look and continued to tend his wound. It looked worse than it was, it bleed a lot. But then again it was a head wound. We stayed for a while, until we left to resume our room back at Constance's house. All was cleared with her and her husband.
"D'Art!" I exclaimed once we were in private with the door shut. "You scared me! I thought you were dead and that LeBarge would come and rip me out of Paris!" D'Artagnan gathered me up in his arms.
"Shh, Lene. I'm not going anywhere any time soon. And if something would happen to me, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis would be hard-pressed to let that fate befall you." He rocked me from side to side. Finally I stopped my crying.
"I know. I'm sorry. Just a little emotional." I wiped my eyes.
"It's alright. Just rest now, Lene." I thought oh well, come what may, as long as it doesn't interrupt me at this particular minute as I attempt to sleep.
Go, go, go! Death to the tyrants! Over there, in the crowd! Move! Protect the King! Kill them all! Kill them all! Protect the King! Down, down, down! Watch out! No! Move! Let her go! Take the shot! Take it! Shoot him! Bomb, bomb! Clear the area! No! Aramis, no! Move, move, move! Go, go, go, go! All clear.
It's safe! Move, move, go, go! Surround the carriage.
Go, go, go! Move, now! It's a dud.
Stay back.
Stay back! They were never meant to go off.
They're all duds! He's made us look in the wrong direction.
The palace! He doesn't want to kill the King, he wants to rob him! It's a distraction! He's at the palace! Yes! There he is! Shoot him on sight! There's nowhere to run! Surrender or die! It's up to you.
It's over, Vadim.
Not quite.
Where's d'Artagnan? Is he dead? Bang.
Get down! Come on.
Vadim's mine.
Vadim! Show yourself, you traitor! There was no gunpowder in those bombs! You betrayed us.
You never were very bright, were you, Felix? Still, you worked it out in the end.
Felix is dead.
Where's Vadim gone? Hold it right there.
Musketeers! Kill them! Vadim! Behind you.
You are full of surprises.
I had a good teacher.
This way.
Vadim, this way.
Over here.
So, you are alive? I think so.
Vadim? Woundedbadly.
He can't have got far.
Stop there, Vadim! Stop! I should have strangled you at the Chatelet, saved myself a lot of trouble.
Why didn't you? For the fun of it.
It was a good trick.
It should have worked.
It nearly did.
My apologies for the deception, Monsieur.
I had no choice.
D'Artagnan was doing his duty at great personal risk.
He deserves praise, not blame.
Oh, he is very brave, I'm sure.
Please accept our profound apologies for any misunderstanding.
No hard feelings? Of course not.
I always knew there'd be a good explanation.
I beg Madame Bonacieux's forgiveness.
I trust nothing of the kind will ever happen again.
I'll see you to the door.
Things were very quiet before you came here, Monsieur.
I'm sorry.
You must miss that.
Not for a single second.
'You were right about d'Artagnan.
' He has the devil's luck.
But all the good fortune in the world won't save him, if he chooses to be MY enemy.
Then I must help him make the right choice.
Oh, I don't suppose that there was any sign of the Queen's diamond pendant? None at all.
Pity.