Aramis, Porthos and Athos entered their house with Planchet following clumsily behind. It had been exactly a day since they had defeated Buckingham. As soon as they thought Buckingham was no more, they returned to the palace. Arabella, being injured, was taken to one of the spare bed chambers and was being attended to. The Musketeers had also been taken care of by the King and Queen. They were able to rest and they were able to discuss the future of France with the King and Queen. Now, the next early afternoon, they had returned home.

"So, it is true then that Buckingham is still alive?" Aramis asked as he walked into the house.

"Alive and in prison," Athos said as he put his sword and sheath on the wooden table.

"And what of Milady?"

Athos turned towards Aramis, "Alive and in prison," he repeated.

"How on earth did Buckingham survive a fall like that?" Porthos asked.

Athos shrugged. "Apparently, D'Artagnan and Arabella didn't look down from the tower after he fell. Something or someone was there to lessen the injuries of his fall. I'm guessing he landed on a cart or something or the sort."

"Ah, the fiend," Porthos began to say before he sat down. "Speaking of D'Artagnan, where is he? All this time I thought he had been walking with Planchet behind us."

"Well then," Aramis smiled, "You need to pay attention, my dear friend."

Porthos scoffed and looked at Athos to give him an answer.

"D'Artagnan stayed behind with the girl."

"Oh! Is she awake yet?"

"No, but they said she would be in a short amount of time."

Planchet burst through the door, breathless from the journey back from the palace. Porthos glanced over at him. "Planchet, you wouldn't mind serving us some bread and wine, would you?"

Planchet was about to answer until Porthos interrupted with a "Thank you." Planchet nodded and frantically went to find a bottle of wine and some bread.

"So, since a side of palace was destroyed, how long do you think it will take to repair? I saw that they were already beginning to work on it," Aramis said.

Porthos reclined in his seat. "I'm sure it won't take too long. The King said that he and the Queen would like to have a ball after the palace is fully restored. It would be a ball in celebration of Buckingham's capture and the restoration of the palace, as well."

"That'll be quite a celebration," Aramis added as Planchet brought the wine and bread to the table.

"Here you are, Sirs," He began, "Can I get you anything else?"

"No, thank you," Athos replied. Planchet nodded and went upstairs. The three Musketeers began to eat and drink and after a few minutes, the bread was gone and the three began a new conversation.

"Did you know that Queen Anne wants to make Arabella a Lady of her court?" Aramis asked.

"Really? She finds her trustworthy again?" Porthos laughed.

Aramis shook his head, "Apparently so."

"I suppose when she wakes up the Queen will automatically promote her."

Athos took a sip from his cup of wine. "Well, hopefully she wakes up eventually."

Arabella felt her senses come back to her as she slowly opened her eyes. Something was over her and around her. Still groggy from sleep, she looked to the other side of her and saw nothing of familiarity. Well, she thought, this was not the first time she had woken up in an unfamiliar place. When her sight was clear again she realized she was in a four poster bed. The curtains were drawn back and the room was grand and ornate. In front of her was a tapestry and a portrait of the King and Queen and to the right was the double doors to enter the room. She was in the palace. How long had she been there? Why was she even there? She signed and sat up and winced when she felt a dull pain in her side; then, she remembered. She remembered being on the roof of the Tower of London with Buckingham and D'Artagnan. She remembered pushing her own brother off the tower and she had been injured.

She sank back into the soft pillows and stared at the portrait of the royal couple in front of her. About fifteen minutes passed before a door was opened. Arabella turned towards the door and saw a woman, who she recognized as one of the maids, enter and open the curtains of the window next to the bed. The room was suddenly flooded with light.

"Excuse me?" Arabella asked softly. The woman turned and had a look of surprise on her face. "You're awake? Oh, how wonderful! We were beginning to worry!"

Arabella blinked. How long would she have to be asleep to put everyone into a frenzy?

"How long has it been?" She asked as the lady opened up another curtain.

"Since you've been asleep? Hmm, when the Musketeers brought you here, you were already out. You were asleep all evening yesterday and most of the day today. So, it has almost been a full day. It's afternoon right now."

"Oh, not too long," Arabella thought to herself.

The woman began talking again. "You were given the best care and the physician said that you should be healed soon. Your stab wound wasn't fatal or too serious, which is excellent news."

"Thank you. Is everyone else alright? Do you know?"

"Yes. The Musketeers are fine. They each had some injuries but they were quickly taken care of."

"Oh, good. Are they still here?"

"No, I believe they left this morning. One of them is still here though. The young one, I forget his name."

Arabella sat up. "D'Artagnan, you mean?"

"Ah, yes, Him! He's been about the palace, waiting for you to awaken."

Arabella smiled and began to take the covers off of herself. "May I see him?"

"Oh, no, no, no," The woman said as she put the covers back over Arabella. "You must stay in bed. You need at least a week to fully recover from that injury. I'm sorry but, that is what we were all told."

Arabella quietly groaned. "That's fine, I suppose. Can he come see me?"

"He has been wanting to but he was told not to."

"Please?" Arabella asked sweetly.

The woman sighed. "Well, it's not proper…"

"But you can trust him. I just want to talk to him. It will only take a short while," Arabella said sounding as sweet as she could, once again.

"It's fine. I'll see if I can find someone who knows where he is," she said as she walked back towards the door.

"Thank you!" Arabella said happily. She sat in bed contently waiting for D'Artagnan's arrival. A while later, the doors were opened and D'Artagnan walked in. He didn't hesitate at all before running up to the bedside and hugging Arabella.

"Oh, Arabella, you're awake!" He said as he held her in a tight embrace.

Arabella's eyes widened at how tight he was holding her and she laughed. "Obviously, D'Artagnan, now can you let go, you're er- hurting me."

"Ah, sorry," D'Artagnan smiled and pulled away. "How do you feel?"

"I feel fine. You look tired."

"I am tired. I've been up all this time worrying about you."

"Well, that's not necessary," Arabella smirked.

D'Artagnan smiled and kissed her softly. "Oh, I'm sorry. I just care about the people I love. I need to make sure that they're alright."

Arabella blushed and looked away. "I was worried about you too. When you were hurt on the roof-"

"Eh, I'm alright. The injury wasn't too bad."

"I'm glad to hear that. So, my brother is… dead?" Arabella asked and looked back at D'Artagnan, who had a serious look on his face now.

"What? What's wrong?" Arabella asked, suddenly worried.

D'Artagnan sighed. "Your brother, Buckingham, is not dead."

"Oh, that's a relief. As much as I wanted him gone, I wouldn't be able to stand the guilt of being the cause for it. Where is he now?"

"He is in prison, as well as Milady De Winter."

"Good. Now France can be at rest."

"For now. Let's talk about something else. The Queen has told me that she would like to make you a member of her court?"

Arabella nodded. "Yes, she asked me if I would be interested in becoming a Lady in Waiting."

"And what did you tell her?"

"I told her I would think about it. I would very much like to, though. That is, if she has forgiven me for what happened. "

D'Artagnan took her hand in his and smiled at her. "She has forgiven you. The Queen likes you very much, as well as the King. I think you should become a Lady in Waiting."

"Really? Then I think I will. Besides, I have nowhere to go. I can't live with you and the other three Musketeers forever," Arabella laughed.

"Aw, I'm crushed," D'Artagnan said.

"You'll get over it."

D'Artagnan laughed and kissed her once again while Arabella happily kissed him back until the door was swung open and the Queen entered the room.

D'Artagnan and Arabella pulled away from each other; both were blushing.

"Ah, don't mind me. I know what was going on. Your both as red as a rose," The Queen giggled.

D'Artagnan nervously laughed and bowed to her. "Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty," Arabella began to say.

"Hello, D'Artagnan and hello Arabella. It's wonderful to see you again. We were all so worried about you. May I have a word with you?"

"Of course", Arabella nodded and looked at D'Artagnan.

"I shall visit you later then," D'Artagnan said bowing and leaving the room, closing the door behind him.

"Now, you look well Arabella. I'm so happy your injury wasn't too serious. The King and I had you being taken care of by the finest physicians in all the country," the Queen said.

"Thank you tremendously for that all, by the way. I know that I am undeserving of it."

"Oh, come now. You are most deserving. You saved my husband and me."

"But I was also the cause of well, all the trouble," Arabella sighed.

"That is forgotten," the Queen smiled.

"Thank you so much. I don't know how I could ever make up for it all or repay you."

The Queen smiled. "You may start by giving me an answer to whether or not you would like to become a Lady in Waiting."

"I would like to very much. My answer is yes," Arabella said.

The Queen clapped her hands together happily. "Wonderful! Oh, I'm so glad! You're going to love it here, Arabella. The other Ladies in Waiting are very kind and everyone in the palace will do their best to make you feel welcome."

"And will D'Artagnan, Athos, Aramis and Porthos be allowed to visit?"

"Of course they will," The Queen said excitedly, "I will announce your position of Lady in Waiting at the upcoming ball, once the palace is back to normal; that way all the guests will know that you are now part of the court."

Arabella smiled. "I am very grateful, Your Majesty and I simply cannot wait for that ball."