Author's Notes: One of my favorite new games is to write from an outsider's point of view.
Done. Finally.
I own very little and absolutely nothing related to The Musketeers.
Caroline stood in the early morning light and watched the trunks and crates being loaded on their ship. The dock bustled with sailors, workers, and merchants. Her attendants were already aboard, readying her cabin. Her guards were checking the ship and keeping a wary eye on the wharf. They were so close to being safely away, they were taking no chances. She could see the Musketeers moving through the crowd. Apparently, Athos wasn't taking any, either.
"Caroline." She turned, delighted to see Aramis.
"Good morning, Aramis."
"Good morning, Mademoiselle. I believe you are nearly ready to depart."
"Indeed. I thought I'd love a good adventure, but I have found it rather exhausting," she said with a laugh. "I don't know how you do it."
"You seem to think everyday is explosions and daring escapes," answered Aramis lightly. "I'll have you know, there are a great many utterly ordinary days. Boring guard duty. Parades."
"I don't believe you. Not for a second." Aramis smiled mischievously and she couldn't help but smile back.
"May I ask you something?"
"Aramis, you may ask me anything."
"You said you had no desire to marry. That the life of an ambassador gave you the freedom you wanted."
"I did."
"Tell me," said Aramis, his eyes tracking Edwards before settling back on her. "Is that still so?" Caroline looked down, feeling the blush rise to her cheeks.
"Edwards and I have much to discuss," she said quietly. He studied her a moment.
"Love is not the cage you seem to imagine, Caroline." She looked up sharply.
"I never said anything against love. But surely you cannot deny that you are as bound to this life, this danger, as firmly as if you were chained." Aramis said nothing, but toyed with his hat. "You love it. You love them." She looked toward Porthos, Athos, and d'Artagnan, who stood near the gangplank. "I will not say it is a cage. But we must all choose what we are willing to lose and what we could never bear to live without."
"Sometimes, a heavy cost," nodded Aramis. "I pay it gladly."
Caroline cleared her throat lightly.
"As I said, we have much to discuss. And we will come to an agreement, or we will not. But I will no longer deny that I finally wish to have the conversation. Perhaps, I too, will find an acceptable price.
"My lady?" Caroline turned and saw Edwards approaching. "My lady, we are ready to depart. The captain does not want to lose the tide."
"Of course," she nodded. She followed Edwards to the gangplank and looked at the Musketeers assembled there.
Caroline realized she would miss them. Athos' quiet composure, D'artagnan's eagerness, Porthos' vitality, Aramis' charisma. They were compelling individuals.
Perhaps she had enjoyed the adventure more than she was willing to admit. She turned to Athos.
"I could spend my life attempting it and I would never succeed in repaying you and your Musketeers. But I would try. Anything you need, just ask, and I will see it done."
"We do our duty, Mademoiselle," said Athos kindly.
"If you are ever in need, do not hesitate to contact me." She carefully make eye contact with each of them. "I will do whatever I can."
"Thank you, Excellency. Hopefully, we never had need of your offer."
"We can only hope, Monsieur. But you lead terribly exciting lives. Let's not rule anything out." Porthos laughed and Athos smiled. She curtsied and smiled at them. "Farewell and be safe."
"You as well, Caroline," said Aramis. She nodded and walked up the gangplank. It was quickly pulled in behind her and the ship cast off.
Caroline watched the blue cloaks until long after they grew small and became one with the water.
A/N: I have decided. I will do this story, at least in part, from Porthos' point of view.
I'm curious what happened after Aramis and Caroline rode away...
;)
Oh, and here's the title inspiration:
John Preston: There's no war. No murder.
Partridge: What is it you think we do?
John Preston: No. You've been with me, you've seen how it can be - the jealousy, rage.
Partridge: A heavy cost. I pay it gladly.
-Equilibrium