As the two guards escorted Constance up the hill to the Queen, Anne clasped her hands "Oh thank God! Oh thank God!" The two women embraced, not as Queen and subject but as friends, as sisters, tears escaping their eyes. "You have suffered too much in my service, Constance." Anne said as Constance put her hand to her friend's cheek. "I am sorry for it."

Constance shook her head, dismissing the words with no more thought. "I am only glad to see you and the Dauphin safe and well." she said touching her friend with care, as if to reassure herself it was indeed the case.

They turned at the approach of the King, Rochefort and some of the King's Musketeers. As Anne and the King embraced, Constance searched the stream of bodies coming from the old fort for the man she loved.

As Anne and the King stepped into the carriage Aramis approached. Constance looked on, wondering how the pair of them could bear to be this close without showing their true feelings for each other, especially after what had just happened. She knew the depths of the Queen's feelings for the Musketeer and she knew that the Queen's heart must have died a little when she thought Aramis was dead.

Aramis only bowed to his Queen before stepping past Marguerite, who thought that she alone possessed his heart.

D'Artagnan was walking slowly along the bottom part of the path. He looked at her, his Constance, standing so very far away from him. He knew that despite the fact he had just offered his life for hers, had professed his love for her, she would stay with that ungrateful husband of hers. And all because she was honourable and brave, kind and generous.

Constance slipped her hand from Anne's and let gravity pull her down the small hill towards D'Artagnan. She ran down the path and into the arms of the man that she loves more than anyone in the world. The man that had protected her by teaching her how to use a sword and a pistol to defend herself and others. And then by putting himself at risk for her, for woman who had broken his heart and walked away from him. She couldn't believe he had offered himself for her in the fort. And now she was running towards him with everyone watching.

The Queen and the King's Musketeers looked at the young couple as they embraced on the path, ignoring everyone around them. "I love you" Constance whispered. D'Artagnan looked deeply into the eyes of the woman he loves beyond all others on this earth and said, "I know."

They pressed their foreheads together. "I don't care what people think" Constance said shaking her head at him, looking at him with her emotions on full display in her eyes and continued "I don't care what they say. This is my life and I want..I want to spend the rest of it with you."

Constance was now well aware of the dangers that D'Artagnan and his brothers in arms faced all the time. Every time they were called to duty, called to guard the King or Queen, it could be for the last time. She now knows that she and D'Artagnan may not have the fairytale ending they so richly deserve and she's finally willing to throw all propriety away to be with man she loves, that she desires above anyone else.

"Do I get a say in this?" D'Artagnan smiles one of his cheeky smiles at her and pulls at her waist. She laughs as they come together to share a passionate kiss showing all those watching them the depth of their feelings for one another.

D'Artagnan tongue sweeps into Constance's mouth to taste her love for him. He can also taste her fear and her passion for him, for life. He pulls her that little bit closer to hold her, to keep her safe and to share his passion for her.

His brothers in arms are all watching on from the road and they smile at the couple. Aramis, the romantic of the group, the one who until recently had been the most popular with the ladies, the one who now risks his heart and life by loving the one woman he should not, smiles the widest. Even Captain Treville smiles at the young couple while Aramis takes the opportunity to look at the love of his life, the mother of his child, Anne, the Queen of France, his Queen.

"Isn't that young woman married?" the King inquired of his wife after having paid attention to the Dauphin. "Yes Sire, I do believe she is." The Queen cast her eyes to Aramis to share a look, a moment of envy, that these two young people who are so loved by their friends, can show their love for each other so easily. The Queen and Aramis both turn their eyes back to the couple they wish they could be.

Eventually, D'Artagnan pulled away from the intoxicating taste of his Constance, "We need to stop!" he said breathlessly. They were both breathing heavily after sharing their searing hot kisses.

"But why?" D'Artagnan starts to discreetly rearranged his trousers, glad that her skirts shield him from those watching them on the hill. He would never hear the end of it from Aramis and Porthos if they saw. "Oh! That's why." Constance breathed, her chest heaving. After a moment or two D'Artagnan takes Constance's arm to escort her back up the hill to the King's carriage and the Queen.

After bowing to the King and Queen, D'Artagnan was about hand Constance into the carriage for the return trip to Paris when the Queen spoke up "D'Artagnan, I would think that you would like to see Constance safely back to the palace, personally." She gave him a knowing look.

"Yes I would, Your Majesty."

"Then Constance may ride back with you, D'Artagnan. I trust you to keep her safe. She is very important to me."

"As she is to me, Your Majesty." D'Artagnan smiled at the Queen, thankful she understood how he felt about Constance.

"It is decided, Constance you will ride back with D'Artagnan." the Queen announced. Constance was about to speak when Louis turned to his wife "But my dear, we need protection from all our enemies, although D'Artagnan was ready to let Marmion kill me in there."

Anne patted his hand to reassure him "Sire, we have all those who came to our rescue. I am sure we will be safe. Besides these two deserve a small reward for their loyalty, to the both of us."

"I suppose you are right, my dear." Louis sighed. "D'Artagnan I give you permission to see the lady back to the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty." D'Artagnan bowed and Constance curtseyed as the royal carriage pulled away.