Sometimes Salvation is Found in Agony
Chapter Fourteen
"So, is it true, Treville?" Louis asked immediately upon the captain's and the other musketeers' arrivals into the gardens outside of the palace, where the King was sitting down having tea with Anne and Cardinal Richelieu. "You and the Cardinal's guards worked together to apprehend our assassins? Armand tells me that his men have discovered their hiding place deep within the woods and that he sent Count Rochefort and his men to fight against them after you and your musketeers took off."
"It is true, Your Majesty," the Captain answered as he and his soldiers glared at the dangerous man even more powerful than the King himself. "One of my men infiltrated the criminals' camp pretending to be a newcomer within their rebellion, while these three kept a close eye on him. I sent him in so that he would be able to learn of their plans only, though he was quickly found out by someone we have met before, not knowing that the young woman was dangerous."
Queen Anne looked at the young woman trying to remain invisible, then spoke up as she asked, "And is this her, the woman who betrayed your man?"
Athos pulled her forward as he grabbed her arm and then responded, "No, Your Highness. This is Claudette, a young woman whom we believe is not as bad as she makes herself appear to be. We are not yet sure of what her story is, though we do believe she is going to help us find the rest of the people looking to see the Cardinal dead. The woman who betrayed us is missing. We don't know if she was killed in the fight, or if she simply ran away. It's also possible that the Red Guards have taken her prisoner."
"It's a pity that I wasn't the one to bring her in," Porthos said angrily, thinking of how she had caused Aramis to become a prisoner amongst the criminals. "Although I would have rung her neck."
"And what of your valiant musketeer who infiltrated the camp?" Louis asked before Anne could. "I see that he is not among you. Was he harmed?"
Athos looked at the Queen with a sad smile, while d'Artagnan turned to the King and replied, "His old wound in his shoulder reopened again in the fight. He's hurting right now, but he's going to be just fine."
Athos added, "He's resting for awhile."
"And what of those who escaped?" the King asked again. "Do you have plans to go after them?"
"If that is what you wish of us, Your Majesty," Captain Treville answered, then looked over at the Cardinal, who was smiling smugly. "Claudette here has also told us of a smaller group of these rebels hiding out down in Marseille. So far, we have not been able to convince her that it would be in her own self interest to help us find them."
As he stared at Claudette coldly, Porthos continued, "However, we're certain we can get her to change her mind. She'll do the right thing when the time comes for her to."
King Louis stood from his chair, then moved to stand in front of the young woman, who was only glaring, and spoke up saying, "You mustn't have much regard for me either if you and your friends are fighting to try to kill the one man I trust most in this world. It is all right to speak. My men have vouched for you, so I will trust them and believe that you do have good in you."
"If I may speak candidly, Your Majesty, you're right," Claudette responded coldly. "I don't hold you in high regard. The man you trust must in this world slaughtered my family and all of the people from my village. I don't know why, but I do know that the Cardinal is a murderer and if you love him, then you do not love your people as you claim to."
"I like this young woman," Louis replied haughtily with a chuckle. "My dear, you have been misled. You mustn't listen to all of the wild rumors being spread around Paris about Cardinal Richelieu. He is not this monster the people have made him out to be."
Then the King grew serious as he continued, "I want you to help my musketeers track down your friends so that this whole mess can be finished once and for all. Do I make myself clear?"
She remained silent until she was given a shove forward by Athos, then she bowed down before the King, as well as the Queen who also stood from her seat, and finally answered, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"There now, you will have her full cooperation, Captain," the Cardinal spoke up at last from his seat, then took a sip of tea while his eyes remained on Athos, who only glared back at him with a fire in his eyes. "And when you musketeers leave for Marseille, I shall send Count de Rochefort and some of my own men with you, just to see that this mission is finished properly. You seemed to have worked well together during your earlier battle."
"Excellent idea, Cardinal," Louis responded. "As usual. Make it happen gentlemen and end this, as soon as possible."
When the King walked away, as did the Cardinal, leaving Queen Anne behind as she sat back down at the table and continued enjoying her tea, Captain Treville, Athos, Porthos, d'Artagnan, and Claudette bowed before her and started to leave, until she suddenly called out to them.
Anne quickly asked, "Forgive me, I know that you must all be very busy, but if it is all right, Porthos, may I speak with you for a moment in private?"
His friends walked off, leaving the larger musketeer behind as he bowed again, then spoke up as he replied, "Yes, Your Highness. Is there something I can do for you?"
"I know that Aramis is going to be fine, but I wish to know of his… mental state I suppose," the Queen answered nervously. "I know I have no right to ask you, but I wish to speak with him again. I wish to try to fix the strain that has come between us over the last few weeks. I cannot stand how angry and hopeless he has become because I made his life complicated."
"I am afraid that he will not allow himself to come, Your Highness," Porthos responded sadly. "I know he wants to, but Aramis is afraid. He is not the same musketeer you fell in love with."
Anne shook her head in disagreement and then replied, "You're wrong. He is the same man, just wounded. Aramis thinks of all others before himself and right now, he fears that by being close to me, that he will hurt each of you. I just can't stand knowing that he will never be able to move on until we've mended the hurt I've caused."
Porthos smiled sadly as he answered, "It seems that the two of you share many same traits, including blaming yourselves for the things that are not your fault. Why speak with me to try to get Aramis to come?"
"It seems that you and he have a closer bond than even he and Athos or d'Artagnan, though I know each of you love each other as brothers," the Queen responded. "However, you are more protective of him, as Athos is of d'Artagnan. If anyone can talk him into meeting with me again, it would be you."
"I will certainly try," the large man replied as he gave a final bow and then began to walk away until he turned to look at her again. "If only the circumstances could be different. Aramis has loved before, but never as he has loved you, Your Highness. Perhaps one day, the Lord will see fit to see the two of you together and happy."
When Porthos rode off, Anne stared off into the sky, ignoring her ladies in waiting as they cleared her dishes, then spoke to herself sadly, "I dream of that day every night."