2 - Constellations
'Come. Dine with your old friends.' D'Artagnan said, leading me over to the table and pulling out a chair for me.
Sitting down, I glanced over the table. Someone had made a ham... It must have been Athos. He knew I loved it.
'How is your family, Marie?' Aramis asked, sitting to my right.
'Thankfully, they are all in good health. I'll send them your regards.' I replied, picking at a platter of carrots.
Aramis nodded in appreciation as I handed the platter to him, after placing a few of the vegetables on my own plate.
'Send mine as well.' D'Artagnan said, pouring wine into my glass.
Porthos nodded in agreement, chewing a piece of ham he had just popped into his mouth.
'Of course. They will be happy to hear of you all.' I stated with a smile as I took a small sip of the wine.
Later, after dinner, we all sat in front of the fire as my uncle and his fellow Musketeers regaled me with tales of their daring escapades. I laughed as I heard story after story and wondered how many were being exaggerated.
After finishing one of their stories, Porthos collapsed in the chair beside me and let his arm rest behind me.
'You have changed quite a bit, Marie. How did that happen?' He asked rather shakily. I was beginning to think he had a bit too much to drink.
'Everyone keeps telling me that... Have I really changed all that much?' I asked, looking at the fire as it danced happily.
'You forget, Marie, that you were barely thirteen when you last came here.' Athos said, looking over from his seat.
'Yes, of course.' I said softly. Of course I had changed over so many years...
'You were a child back then.' D'Artagnan said from the chair to my left.
'Yes... And now two of my younger sisters are married. Time goes by much too quickly, my friends.' I said, looking around at my four companions.
But, one wasn't with us.
Lifting myself from my chair quietly as Porthos and D'Artagnan started reminiscing again, I slipped out the door. Standing in the middle of the large yard behind the house was Aramis, looking up at the sky.
'Is something wrong, Aramis?' I asked, walking up to him, making his head whip around to face me.
'No... No, of course not. Not on such a joyous occasion...' He threw in a smile before continuing, 'I just wanted a touch of air... See the stars for a bit.'
'May I join you, then?' I asked, adding a small smile.
'Yes, I think I'd like that.' He replied, smilling softly and looking back up at the sky.
We stared up at the stars in silence for a few moments before I spoke up.
'I'm amazed that people can navigate by the night sky. I can't really make heads or tales of it... Just the fact that it's beautiful to gaze at.' I said softly, not looking away from the sight above me. I heard Aramis let out a small, but deep, laugh before giving his reply.
'Well, you see... Do you see that group of stars out there? They're shaped like a 'W', do you see?' He asked, pointing upward.
I nodded in reply. It was simple enough to see.
'That is Cassiopeia. People follow this, and other, constellations to find their way. Different constellations signify different directions...' He stopped, looking down at me.
'Why did you stop?' I asked, looking away from the stars and glancing over at Aramis.
'I sound like a tutor.' He replied, a small smirk beginning to grace his features. I laughed at his answer.
'I have had tutors, and trust me, I would rather be taught by you.' I assured, still smiling.
'I appreciate that.' He stated simply, laughing softly.
We looked up at the sky for a bit longer before we heard a voice from behind us.
'Dear God, how can you two stand it out here? It's freezing.' Porthos exclaimed, standing between us and putting his arms around our shoulders.
A small smile crossed my face. Porthos' cheery personality would never fail him.
'You're hogging the company, Aramis.' He continued, looking over at my companion.
'For all you know, we were just going back inside when you barged out here.' Aramis stated slyly.
'Is that true?' Porthos asked, raising an eyebrow.
'No.' Aramis shot back, letting a smirk graze his lips.
With a laugh Porthos made a move to use an advantage of the placement of his arm to grasp Aramis' head in a lock, but Aramis quickly evaded him, laughing softly as well.
'Please, Porthos. Not in front of the lady.' He stated, grasping my hand dramatically, making me burst into a quiet fit of laughter as well.
'You two are worse than school children.' I stated, with a smile still on my face as I made my way back to the house. As I walked I heard Aramis say one last thing to Porthos.
'Did you hear that? She said you were worse than a child. I hope you take that to heart.'
The next morning I awoke early, got dressed quickly in casual clothes, and came downstairs hurriedly to meet my uncle, who was serving breakfast.
'Smells delicious, uncle.' I greeted, following it with a 'Good morning' and a soft kiss on his cheek.
'Thank you, Marie. Sadly, you'll be eating it alone, I have errands to run in town. I should be back shortly, though.' He stated, throwing that last bit in when he saw the disappointed look on my face.
'You can't even stay for breakfast?' I asked, looking up at him.
'No, actually. I was supposed to be at Luc's father's home half an hour ago. He's counting on me to help him with his barn. Raoul's waiting for me there as well. It's almost finished, I shouldn't be gone long.' He replied, taking his coat from the rack and slipping it on quickly.
'Alright...' I stated finally, a defeated tone in my voice as he said his good-byes and left, leaving me to my breakfast.
About three quarters of an hour later later I had finished my meal and was stoking the fire slowly when there was a knock on the door.
'I'm coming!' I called out, wiping my hands down on a rag that was laying on the table and heading for the door.
'Good morning, Marie.' Aramis greeted as I opened the door.
'Good morning, Aramis.' I said, my eyebrows furrowing. Why was he here so early in the morning?
'Where is your uncle?' He asked casually, looking around as I stepped back from the door, gesturing for him to come in.
'He's out helping a friend with his barn. Why?' I replied, closing the door behind me.
'Oh. Nothing urgent, just some things he should know.' He said, looking back at me.
'Just some things? Is that why you came so early?' I asked, smirking with a raised eyebrow, making Aramis laugh softly.
'I've been up for hours, actually.' He stated, laughing a bit more at my surprised expression.
'Well, you're welcome to wait for him. I'll make some tea.' I said finally, moving toward the kitchen.
'Oh, that's really not necessary.' I heard him call out.
'Nonsense! I'd be glad to. Maybe you can do a bit more tutoring.' I replied, laughing softly at the last bit of my statement.
'More constellations?' Aramis said finally, a smile in his voice.
'A bit... I was thinking more along the lines of their histories this time, though.'
I watched out of the corner of my eye as he nodded and began.
A/N: Hah, victory! I updated! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! I definitely liked writing it. Same huge thanks to Rio and Nerds, for letting me bounce ideas off of them. Anywho, thanks to all who read, cookies to those who review! Please R&R and have a bright-blue-and-green day!