Hello. This chapter is the longest I've written so far. Mainly because the first scene is a bit longer than I anticipated. As explained previously updates may be a bit slow for the next few weeks. Thank you to all of you who are sticking with this story. :)
With the length of this chapter I'm sure there are a few mistakes but they are all mine. I hope you enjoy it. :)
Chapter Twenty-One
The musketeers made their way through the palace as swiftly as possible and stopped only once to find out the location of the King. Athos could tell Porthos was angry but he was more worried about Aramis and D'Artagnan. Aramis' eyes were struck with fear for the Queen and Athos hoped the man would be able to keep his emotions in check, while D'Artagnan was constantly looking around hoping Constance would suddenly appear but they had all privately agreed that Constance had likely travelled with the Queen. Athos knew he would have to keep his own emotions in check as well as his brothers'.
The door to the throne room was opened for them and immediately they saw Louis pacing in front of the thrones with Rochefort standing nearby and to Athos' chagrin, Milady talking to the pacing king quietly. Louis looked up to the new arrivals and immediately saw from their expressions that they came with bad news.
'What has happened?' he asked quietly, as if the question would have a better answer if it was asked quietly. Athos placed the letter in Louis' hand and allowed time for the King to read it.
Rochefort was silently cursing at the four men in front of him. They were not supposed to be back until tomorrow and could completely upset his plans. Rochefort knew that Athos would counter every suggestion he made and Louis may yet believe the musketeer over him. Rochefort knew he needed to act quickly.
'No!' Louis wailed as he stumbled backwards to sit on the steps that led up to his throne. 'This can't be happening,' he shook his head slowly.
'May I, Sire?' Rochefort asked and held out his hand as Louis handed over the letter. Rochefort managed to hide his smile, but only just. The Queen and Tréville had been successfully captured but woe betide anyone if they had hurt her.
'Sire, it is time to face the facts,' Rochefort announced pompously. 'The Musketeers are incompetent and are incapable of defending the royal family.'
'Now wait a minute-,' Porthos roared as he started towards Rochefort only to find Athos arm signalling him to stop.
'The Musketeers have once again failed you, Your Majesty. The Queen has been captured and held hostage and the musketeers guarding her were obviously inadequate. This cannot be allowed to happen any longer,' Rochefort was truly enjoying the situation now but he was aware he hadn't been interrupted again and Athos' stare was making him uncomfortable. 'It is time for the Red Guard to take the Musketeers' place as Your Majesty's most trusted regiment. It is time for the Musketeers to be disbanded,' he finished defiantly aware of the seething from the four musketeers in front of him and the shallow breaths of Louis at his feet. Milady had somehow manged to quietly blend into the background and for a few moments there was only silence.
'Sire,' Athos voice broke the silence from Rochefort's tirade, 'May I help you?' Athos extended his hand as Louis looked up and took it. Athos pulled Louis to his feet and guided him up the steps to sit on his throne.
'Was there anything else except the letter?' Louis asked looking directly at Athos.
'No, Sire. Joubert arrived having been shot and he collapsed almost immediately after entering the garrison. He only indicated the letter and is currently being cared for by Dr. Lemay.,' Athos said sombrely.
'I doubt Joubert will be able tell us much more as he had obviously lost a lot of blood and may yet lose his life,' Aramis pitched in with his voice steadier than he thought he could manage.
'Sire, it is time to act,' Rochefort announced. 'I will lead the Red Guard to rescue Her Majesty at first light.'
'Sire, the Musketeers are your best soldiers. The attack must have been well planned otherwise the kidnappers would never have prevailed. Captain Tréville and the other musketeers will have fought their hardest to ensure the Queen's safety. Please let the Musketeers handle this. We will not disappoint you,' Athos countered calmly while Aramis, Porthos and D'Artagnan sent their best death glares Rochefort's way.
'Recent history suggests otherwise,' Rochefort sneered. 'Have you already forgotten that Tréville has been stripped of his captaincy?' Rochefort spat.
'I'm sure you had a role in that,' spat D'Artagnan, completely forgetting where he was and having to be restrained by Porthos.
Louis couldn't help but watch the exchange in front of him with great interest. Rochefort with his outward passion for justice and the Queen's safety but it didn't compare to the calm confidence of Athos whose didn't seem rile easily and wasn't rising to Rochefort's bait. In contrast D'Artagnan looked ready to kill. Actually, Louis had momentarily forgotten that he had stripped Tréville of his captaincy and was now regretting the decision, but he also knew that after this cock-up he couldn't justify redeeming the man, yet. One thing he wouldn't stand for though was someone assuming that they knew his mind.
'Enough!' Louis shouted silencing those around him. 'The Musketeers have made mistakes but they are still my best soldiers Rochefort,' he said standing and walking down the steps to face the man.
'Sire, I am only thinking of what is best for you and France,' Rochefort said trying to swallow his anger and bowing slightly. 'I merely meant to highlight the failings of the Musketeer regiment and offer the services of the Red Guard, who I can personally vouch for.'
Louis couldn't deny that his regiment had stumbled recently with the all the mess of his own capture, although he was truly glad D'Artagnan had been with him, the mess with the Spanish General and his cypher and top it all off the release of the dangerous woman who thought she could talk to God! Yes, the Musketeers had made mistakes.
Louis suddenly turned his attention to Milady who was now situated in the corner of the room by the window and had been forgotten by everyone in the room.
'What do you think?' he asked directly making Milady jump as she never expected to be addressed. She moved forward quietly but remained a distance away from the men.
'It is not my place to say, Sire,' she curtseyed as she spoke and looked down at the floor. Even from her position she could feel Athos' glare.
'I have just asked you so it is your job to answer,' Louis responded heatedly. Milady felt herself almost draw back from the King's scolding, almost. She looked to Rochefort who was wearing a strange look between a smirk and red-blooded anger. He believed she would side with him, she was sure of it. Next she looked to Athos whose face would have looked impassive to anyone else but she knew him too well. His eyes gave him away and his look was thunderous. The other musketeers wore similar expressions but interestingly Aramis seemed to be seething the most.
'I'm sure that Rochefort can handle the situation with help of the Red Guard,' she started and instantly saw Rochefort's smirk grow wider and Athos' eyes change from anger to disappointment. She hated that look more than anything. 'However, the Musketeers are Your Majesty's personal guard and it may be prudent to use soldiers who are used to situations like this,' she continued, seeing the smirk disappear from Rochefort's face gave he a lot of satisfaction. 'They are your finest soldiers and something terrible must have happened for them to have failed to protect the Queen. The people also know how trusted these men are and it would certainly send out the wrong message if you were not to use your personal regiment to rescue the Queen. I have every faith that they will succeed in rescuing Her Majesty,' Milady finished and bowed her head sneaking a look at Athos who was looking shocked at her words. She smiled to herself at her husband's reaction. Even now, she was capable of surprising him.
Rochefort couldn't believe what he had heard. She had sided with them and now his plans were in the balance because of this woman! He would see to it that her days at the Louvre were numbered.
'You are quite correct, my dear,' Louis said with affection that made Athos' blood boil but his face remained impassive.
'Sire-.'
'No Rochefort. No more,' Louis held his hand up to silence the Comte. And Louis returned to his throne. 'I have made my decision,' everyone subconsciously held their breath as they waited for Louis' decision.
'Milady is right. The Musketeers are my best soldiers and everyone in this room knows it. No matter their failures they are the best men for the job, however, I propose a compromise,' the musketeers all looked around at each other warily at their King's words.
'This will be a joint effort by the Musketeers and the Red Guard,' everyone inwardly groaned at this announcement. 'I know about the rivalry between the two regiments and I wish to show that you are all above petty squabbles when France's future is in the balance.'
'Sire, may I volunteer to lead this campaign,' Rochefort interjected quickly, hoping that he could at least choose who would be under his command. He would do all he could to argue against the four men before him being in the rescue mission. Louis considered Rochefort closely and then spared a glance at the outwardly calm Athos and his friends who were all still yet their presence was a powerful one. Louis knew of the talk about Tréville's inseparable musketeers and could clearly see, even now, how they all stood as one. Quite the force to be reckoned with.
'I thank you for putting yourself forward Rochefort, however I believe it would be best for Athos to lead this mission.' Louis turned to Athos, 'How many me will you need Athos?'
'I would require eight musketeers, including the four of us, and four Red Guard, including Rochefort, to guard the prisoners,' Athos stated clinically.
'Twelve men seems rather a low number,' Rochefort sneered while Louis looked at Athos enquiringly.
'In a situation like this a smaller group of men will be easier to get information passed on quickly. We cannot plan ahead as we don't know what the situation will bring, so we must be able react and direct orders quickly. With too many men chaos could ensue and put Her Majesty and Captain Tréville in danger,' Athos explained calmly and decisively.
'You're right,' Louis nodded. 'Do we need to release the prisoners?'
'Again, Sire, we will do everything we can not to hand over the prisoners but Her Majesty's safety is paramount and if they were to discover that we hadn't brought the prisoners Her Majesty's life could be put in jeopardy,' Athos stated calmly and he could sense his brothers nodding beside him. Louis could plainly see the musketeers in front of him agreeing and he wasn't about to disagree.
'Rochefort ensure that the correct prisoners are taken for the exchange,' Louis agreed and Rochefort nodded, silently cursing Athos.
'Right before you go, I will make this clear. I do not want to hear of any disagreements between the Musketeers and the Red Guard. Athos is in charge and he will be obeyed. Rochefort you will make sure your men know this. If I hear they have defied an order they will be publicly flogged as I have made it quite clear that there is to be no trouble. Athos you will make sure the musketeers that you choose also know this,' Rochefort and Athos nodded in unison.
'Rochefort?' Athos asked as the Comte turned his back to leave and then turned back to face Athos. 'Would you bring yourself, the men you have chosen and the prisoners to the Musketeer garrison at first light please,' it was an order not a question but even Rochefort was glad of the level rather than commanding tone. He could not believe that he would have to answer to Athos!
'Of course,' Rochefort replied curtly, eager to get out of the room and smash something.
'Sire?' Athos asked as he looked to Louis who nodded. 'May I send a group of musketeers an hour or so after us with a cart so we may find and lay to rest the bodies of our fallen musketeers?' Athos couldn't know for certain that the other musketeers were dead but he knew it was likely and didn't want them left to rot in the country and not honoured in death.
'Oh, yes. Make sure they are found so they can be given proper ceremony,' Louis said quietly as he began to feel his energy levels drop from worrying about his wife. He knew he would not sleep well but he needed to rest.
The musketeers and Rochefort bowed to Louis, who wasn't looking, and left to start their preparations for the challenging day tomorrow.
'Constance told me about D'Artagnan,' Anne said with her eyes shining in amusement. 'Do you know how she first met him?'
'No, I don't actually,' Tréville replied honestly while Anne looked slightly triumphant that she knew something he didn't.
'Constance said that she was shopping in the market and,' Anne started to giggle and looked a little flushed, 'when he came out of nowhere and kissed her!'
'Well, that's an interesting introduction,' Tréville mused with amusement.
'Apparently he was being chased and decided to kiss her, thinking she was a prostitute, to ward off those chasing him!' Anne finished laughing loudly while Tréville couldn't help but burst out laughing as he tried to picture the scene. His ribs ached with every jolt but he didn't care because all he could imagine was a very annoyed looking Constance!
'She must have slapped him for that!' he said once his laughter had died down.
'She said she punched him in the stomach but he collapsed soon after so she had to get some help taking him to her house,' Anne smiled. 'She said he was wanting revenge on Athos?'
'Yes. Do you remember the spate of killings that were attributed to the Musketeer regiment?' Tréville was now aware that he could fill in the other details.
'Yes, I remember. The Musketeers have always been so loyal that I found it rather strange that anything like that would happen but Cardinal Richelieu was pushing for an inquiry,' Anne creased her forehead in thought.
'The musketeer in question was Athos.'
'Yes and he was arrested after being found at the garrison. I always thought it strange that if you would go to such lengths to tell everyone who you were, that you would be found somewhere where you could be easily found. Never made sense to me but no-one ever listens to me,' she trailed off sadly and looking down to her hands in her lap.
Tréville could hear the sadness and hint of bitterness in her voice. He personally had always regarded the Queen's opinions to be important but he also knew that many men disregarded her because she was woman. Even Louis did, often seeking Richelieu's council and now choosing Rochefort over his wife.
Tréville boldly took one of her hands that had fallen into her lap and waited for her to make eye contact before he spoke, 'I know it may not be any consolation but I have always found your opinions to be engaging and knowledgeable and quite frankly much more intelligent than most of the men that advise the King.'
'If only there were other men like you Tréville,' she said despondently.
'I know of four who think the same,' he replied smiling and saw Anne's face light up slightly as she thought of her musketeers.
'Remind what happened with Athos' situation,' she said wishing to move the conversation back to the musketeers.
'D'Artagnan's father was killed by Gaudet of the Red Guard, who was pretending to be Athos,' Tréville's face turned darker while Anne felt herself hold her breath slightly. 'D'Artagnan came to seek revenge against the man he thought had killed his father.'
'How terrible,' Anne muttered quietly.
'I wasn't there when D'Artagnan arrived at the garrison but from what I hear he made quite an entrance,' Tréville's eyes were sparkling again as he remembered Aramis' recollection of events. 'Challenged Athos to a duel to the death and wouldn't take 'No' for an answer!'
'And Athos fought him?'
'Only to put the boy in his place. I don't think Athos was ever in danger but he wanted to let the boy release his emotion as well as showing D'Artagnan that he was no match for a seasoned soldier,' Tréville wished he had seen it himself. 'But D'Artagnan wouldn't stop and ended up-'
'Fighting all three of them!' Anne chimed in. 'Constance told me,' she explained.
'Athos was arrested soon after. Porthos and Aramis somehow convinced D'Artagnan to help them clear Athos' name. Those two can be quite persuasive and in the end they managed to trap Gaudet and find the stolen uniforms proving Athos' innocence,' Tréville sighed thinking that this part of the story was over but he could see Anne trying to supress her laugh and was failing to do so.
'What?' he asked.
'Do you know how they distracted the Red Guard so they could get the evidence?' she asked playfully now sure that he didn't know what she did.
'No. What did they do?' he asked with an annoyed parent expression that made her want to laugh even more.
'D'Artagnan asked Constance to dress up as prostitute to distract the guards!' Anne was almost squealing with laughter now while Tréville was lucky that his jaw hadn't dislocated from how wide his mouth was out of shock at what he just heard.
'D'Artagnan's lucky he wasn't under my command for that but Aramis and Porthos! Mind you it worked and Constance doesn't seem to have born any ill effects,' Tréville was shaking his head at his men's actions but could only be impressed that Constance agreed and it did help to save Athos.
'So ironically, D'Artagnan came to Paris to kill Athos but actually ended up saving him,' Anne smiled thinking how unlikely the situation was.
'Exactly,' Tréville agreed. 'Curiously, Athos suggested that I gave D'Artagnan a chance as a cadet. I thought he was perhaps repaying the boy for his help but I soon found out that D'Artagnan was very talented with a sword. His shooting and combat needed work but no-one ever comes into the regiment without anything to work on. I placed him a group with the other cadets and thought nothing else of it.'
'So how did he become part of their group?' Anne asked.
'To be honest, I'm not really sure. As I said before many had tried and no-one succeeded. D'Artagnan was a level above the other cadets that was obvious early on. I noticed the Inseparables were keeping track of his progress but didn't think much of it,' Tréville turned to face Anne who was looking interested in everything he could tell her about those four musketeers. Her attention hadn't wavered once.
'Those three don't normally train cadets. They are excellent teachers,' he added, 'but they can overwhelm the new recruits. It is well known in the regiment that Athos is the best swordsman, Porthos is the best combat fighter and Aramis is the best marksman. After a session with them it can become clear how far you need to go to reach even half their level, let alone get anywhere them, and that can become discouraging for cadets. However, D'Artagnan certainly saw them as a challenge.'
'I noticed that D'Artagnan was often on guard duty with them. Cadets aren't normally situated in close proximity to us?' Anne questioned as she remembered D'Artagnan being present on many occasions before he received his commission.
'I have in the past allowed cadets that were ready to be commissioned a place near to the King but they always have musketeers who are responsible for the cadet's actions,' Tréville huffed slightly and smiled at his memories making Anne hope that he would indeed share them. 'Normally there are only two reasons for the Inseparables to be in my office. One, I have a mission for them. Two, I'm about to give them a bollocking for causing trouble or because I believe they were behind the trouble but often I can't prove it!' Anne was smiling now as she couldn't help imagine those three getting a 'bollocking' from their captain.
'They cause you problems?' she asked already knowing the answer.
'They cause me more paperwork than the rest of the garrison put together! You know I actually thought that when D'Artagnan was added to their group that they might not cause as much trouble as they had someone to be responsible for.'
'You were wrong?'
'Totally wrong. If anything D'Artagnan is as much of a trouble magnet as the other three! Anyway, where was I?' he asked looking at Anne.
'Reasons for them to be in your office,' she replied immediately showing how much attention she was paying.
'Ah yes. Suddenly I find the three of them in my office with no reason that I could think of so it unnerved me slightly. Next thing I know they have declared that they want to take responsibility for D'Artagnan's training. I outlined that they would be responsible for the boy and that they couldn't just abandon him if things didn't go well. They replied that he was talented hardworking and was already well on his way to becoming a musketeer.'
'So they saw his talent and wanted to help him?'
'I can only assume that they saw his raw talent but I also believe that they could see a piece of themselves in him. They all have a similar passion for justice and honour and the same passion was clearly evident in D'Artagnan. Most of the time musketeers and cadets don't really mix but they had often invited him out with them and seemed to like his personality. To be honest I don't think any of them truly know how it happened. It just did and it was meant to be. Of course it did mean putting D'Artagnan on some of the riskier missions with them but he always came back.'
'I understand he received his commission after he substituted for you in the challenge between the Musketeers and the Red Guard?'
'Yes. I had originally wanted to put D'Artagnan in but word had come that his farm in Gascony had been destroyed by Labarge.'
'Oh, how horrible...but didn't you fight Labarge?' she asked with a confused expression.
'Yes, I did. Richelieu had decided to commission him to the Red Guard as he knew none of his soldiers could stand up to my musketeers. We missed you at the event,' Tréville looked curiously at Anne who looked slightly put out.
'Cardinal Richelieu said that it would not be appropriate viewing for a woman, although I know many women went to watch,' she said disappointedly.
'Well in the end, Labarge cheated and hurt my shoulder. Thankfully Louis allowed for a substitution. My first thought was to put D'Artagnan in but I was afraid his temperament would let him down but I only had to look at the other three to know what they thought.'
'You confirmed your choice with them?' Anne asked slightly surprised that Tréville would need to confirm his choice with anybody.
'Their looks said it all. I could have chosen any one of them and they would have won but this was D'Artagnan's chance. He now was receiving no money from his farm and desperately needed his commission. I trusted them and I trusted D'Artagnan,' pride was once again filling Tréville's voice as he spoke of his men.
'It must have been a proud day for you and them,' she said smiling.
'Indeed, especially for them. Although I'm not sure how much D'Artagnan remembers of that evening as the other three got him very drunk and he was certainly sporting a hangover the next day!' Tréville chuckled and was ready for the pain that accompanied his laugh.
'I love their banter,' Anne confessed while Tréville looked at her waiting for her to elaborate. 'When they were protecting me from the assassin they occasionally forgot that I was there and their banter started. They were trying to lighten a very dark mood and they just seemed...like brothers.'
'Dare I ask what you learned?' there was a small quirk in the corner of Tréville's mouth.
'Athos is the heaviest drinker and no-one can keep up with him. Porthos cheats at cards. Aramis is a 'mother hen' when someone has an injury but doesn't like being the patient himself. D'Artagnan is certainly the 'little brother' as the others tease him a lot but as much as he protests, he rather enjoys being included in their group,' Anne finished hoping that all she said was true.
'An excellent assessment, Your Majesty,' Tréville could tell her interest in these men was truly genuine and she had obviously studied them when she had been around them. Constance had obviously helped as well but he was glad to have shared his memories and thoughts about his best musketeers and truly glad the Queen had taken an interest.
Anne smiled at the warmth of his words. Here they were in a terrible place but for a few hours she had completely forgotten about her turmoil and Tréville had treated her more like a person than a queen.
She had learnt so much about her musketeers this night and they had suddenly become more human to her and consequently even braver and stronger than before. She truly admired all of them.