When one is summoned to court, it is usually for one of two reasons. To be rewarded, or punished. I hoped it was the former, and yet the small voice in the back of my head whispered that somehow, I had done something wrong and was about to be made responsible for all that had happened to the queen. My brother and Captain Treville were to go with me as my escort, and I did my best to make myself as presentable as possible. I wore my best dress and tidied my hair, covering it with a prettily embroidered cloth. There was nothing I could do about my face, but I hoped I would only be seeing a representative of the king, and not the king himself.
It was far worse than that. Led by Captain Treville, I was brought before the king and queen who sat upon their thrones in the small court, with numerous courtiers and nobles in residence come to spectate on the curiosity in the form of myself. The moment I came into view, they began to whisper, looking at me with their beady little eyes. I gripped at Treville's arm which I clung to for dear life. "If you help me escape, I shall be forever in your debt," I whispered to him fearfully, and I heard him chuckle richly in response.
"Assassins and cutthroats do not frighten you, but a few nobles and a summons from the king has you trembling?" Scowling at him, I had no opportunity to reply as my name was called, summoning me forwards. I could feel my brother smirking in amusement behind me, so I held my breath to ready myself, then allowed Treville to bring me before the king and queen. Once we were before them, I let go of Treville in order to curtsey, lowering myself with a smooth incline of my neck.
"You may rise," the king spoke lightly, observing me curiously as I obeyed but kept my eyes downcast. "My beloved queen tells me that you valiantly fought to protect her life during the recent unpleasantness with the assassins." He began, the whispering rising once more as I swallowed back the nervous swelling of my throat. Treville nudged me gently, prompting me to speak.
"It was my honour to be of service to the queen, your majesty. I did only what any loyal subject would do," the king laughed.
"Bravo! Excellently said, you are very eloquent for a servant girl," this was most likely meant as a compliment, and not intended as a slight, so I elected not to be affronted by the misguided delivery. "In any case, lift your face a moment. I feel that I have seen you somewhere before…" doing as the king asked, I raised my face a little higher and allowed my eyes to lift a little from the ground, looking no higher than his chest as I could not allow myself to meet the eyes of a king. It was not my place. "Cardinal, isn't she the same girl who helped save your life when you were poisoned?" It was then I noticed the cardinal, standing silently at the side.
"Yes," he answered begrudgingly. "If I am not mistaken, this child is the one who tended to me at such a time."
"Ah," now I heard a slight bashfulness in the king's voice, now recalling from where he had seen me before. "I also seem to recall that I promised you a reward if the cardinal lived. It seems I have been remiss in my promises."
"Your majesty is a busy man with a great many things occupying his mind," I reasoned quietly, lowering my face once more. "I was happy to simply be of service."
"Your loyalty does you credit, Madeleine," it felt like a breath of fresh air to hear the queen speak, recognising the voice of a friend amongst so many strangers. "But you have saved my life and that of the cardinal's. A reward, I think, is not only owed, but overdue." With a glance, I saw Anne look expectantly at her husband who shifted in his seat and cleared his throat.
"Quite right. Loyalty shall always be rewarded, and I do not forget those who distinguish themselves for such a virtue. Therefore, if there is anything you would ask of me, young madam, then I shall grant it if it is within my power and reason." This caused a drastic stir amongst the court, several gasps of astonishment and one man barking in protest that such a lowly commoner should be granted so high an honour. The king raised his hand, and his expression darkened. "Such is the gratitude I feel, I am offering this boon. The life of my queen and trusted advisor is no small matter, and this young lady has seen to it that both have survived their ordeals. I will reward her, I shall hear no protest on the matter." The court was immediately silenced.
"Madeleine," speaking to me directly, I allowed myself to look towards the queen, slowly raising my gaze until my eyes met hers and the soft, warm smile she was offering me. "What is it you want? Land? Rank? Wealth? You may ask for anything." Anything I wanted? I knew that this was much a test as it was a gift. My response would greatly impact upon my future, and I had very little time to decide what to do with it. Taking a deep breath, I looked to Anne, for she gave me confidence to speak without trembling before the stares of so many unfamiliar eyes.
"My wish and only desire, is to continue to be of service to you, your majesties," bowing my head reverently, I asked the king to grant me my wish. "My queen, please accept me into your service. I should like to continue to be by your side, if you will allow it." Daring another look at Anne, I saw her eyes become glassy with withheld tears, beaming with pure joy which I had not expected.
"Well, I think we can manage that much, at least." Regarding me for a moment, the king finally smiled. "It will put me at ease knowing that my beloved Anne had someone as brave and loyal by her side as you, madam." He snapped his fingers and a pageboy immediately moved towards me, holding a silver platter with a sizeable purse upon it. "You will take this as a reward for your loyalty, and I shall leave my queen to arrange the particulars of your station in her household, if of course, that is what you wish, my dear?" Looking to Anne, the queen smiled serenely.
"Nothing would make me happier." I exhaled quietly. Whatever the court may think, I was pleased to know that I would be accepted by Anne. I could never be a musketeer, a king's man. But perhaps I could become a queen's woman. I liked the sound of that. Beside me, Treville whispered his congratulations as the king left and the other nobles swiftly dispersed. Anne remained, however, approaching me to take my hands. Behind her I noticed the cardinal frowning slightly, but I paid him no mind, focusing instead upon Anne. "I am pleased to receive you into my household, Madeleine. I should like you to become one of my ladies in waiting," this took me aback.
"Your majesty, I…"
"Do not be modest, I hear a rumour that you are in fact a lady of nobility, is this not correct?" Unable to deny it, I looked at Athos to see how he felt. To my surprise, he stepped forwards and lifted my hand, bowing to the queen before presenting me formally to her.
"Your majesty, may I present Lady Madeleine de la Fère? The only daughter of the late Comte de la Fère and heiress to the present comte's estate." Hearing the word heiress made my stomach twist and my ears burn, never having thought of it in such a manner before. Anne smiled prettily and inclined her head.
"It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Madeleine. I look forward to a long and fruitful friendship between us." Seemingly having all the particulars settled, Anne took my hand between hers. "I will give you time to settle your arrangements with the captain, and any other business you need take care of. Come to me when you are ready, and I shall ensure you are well taken care of."
"Thank you, your majesty…" I murmured dimly, still a little spellbound to think clearly. She left the three of us alone, meaning now Treville and Athos were both looking at me with proud expressions.
"So, little one. You are leaving us," I winced slightly.
"If you still have need of me, then I am certain that I can…"
"No, child. It is about time you found a better life for yourself. I am only sorry I could not give it to you." Treville silenced my worries with a wave of his hand. "I am very fond of you, Madeleine. You have been a blessing to the musketeers for the past five years, but you were meant for far more than serving tables and washing linen. Were you born a man, you would have made a fine musketeer. At present, you make an exemplary honorary one. You have always been one of us and shall continue to be even when you leave." Warmed by such touching words, I found myself sniffling a little, unable to hold back the sense of sadness to realise that this part of my life was ending. It was the right thing to do, as the captain was right. I needed to find a better way of living than the way I lived now. It was slowly killing me, putting it bluntly.
"Besides, it is not as if you are going far away," Athos reminded me, so I managed to smile and nod my head. "We will not be far, and we will find a new routine which will allow you to have a better lifestyle and still come back whenever you wish." He was right, I was being silly. "Come here, sweet sister. Dry those tears." Of course, this only made me weep further as Athos brought me towards him and let me cry into his chest, Treville also placing his hand upon my shoulder.
This was a good thing, yet I was sad to let go of the musketeers. They were my home and family, but they would understand. In fact, when the news spread that I was leaving them, they shared in my sorrow, but they congratulated me with such enthusiasm and genuine joy that it filled my heart with an incandescent light. I used the time to make my preparations to move to the palace, ending my other commitments and fulfilling any commissions I had left outstanding until just over a week later, the time had come for me to spend my final day working for the musketeers.
That night, they hosted me in a jubilant celebration, everyone sharing in their wishes for my future success. Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan were particularly reluctant to see me go, but they too were happy for me. "Just promise you won't forget about us," Porthos made me vow for the umpteenth time, all of us sharing in celebratory drinks. For once, it was a celebration for me, and so I was not the one serving. "You'll come back, right? If I never get to taste your cooking ever again…I might as well go jump in the river right now."
"Perhaps you should, you stink." D'Artagnan jested, earning a roar of laughter as Porthos swatted drunkenly at him.
"Rest assured, I will be back. Once I have settled at the palace, I can use my free time however I like. I will be able to come and go as I please, though it won't be for a few months whilst I am in training." Hearing this, Porthos wailed and flung his arms around my waist, holding me tightly and refusing to let go.
"Don't leave us! It won't be the same without you Madeleine!"
"Unhand her you drunken fool," Aramis and Athos had to pry Porthos away from me, even as he heaved and sobbed. For such a large man, Porthos had always been the most sensitive of them all. I smiled at him fondly as he sprawled upon the ground, too drunk to realise what he was doing. "Well, at least you know you will be missed, dear Madeleine," Aramis sighed as he doffed his cap and bowed to me. "I wish you only the best in your future endeavours. May your future be bright and bountiful." For a moment, I did not look at Aramis, occupying myself with a large drink of my wine.
Things had been…tense ever since we had returned from the convent. Part of me still resented Aramis for what he had done, yet the majority of me simply could not stay angry at him. Our friendship meant too much to me to discard it so readily. "Thank you, Aramis." Reaching for his face, my fingers curled against his beard and brushed against the fine hairs. "I shall miss you." Relieved, Aramis looked at me with a subtle softness which made the wine suddenly feel twice as potent in my head.
Towards the end of the night, the men all gathered around me as Treville led them in a triumphant cheer as I was lifted up into the air and paraded around the courtyard of the garrison, my name chanting from their lips as they saluted their cups and drinks. They each embraced me or kissed my hand, wishing me well and thanking me for my years of hard work, telling me how much they appreciated all I had done for them. I was in tears towards the end, where finally Captain Treville stepped forwards and presented me with a small wooden box. Frowning in bewilderment, I accepted it, uncertain of what it could be.
What I did not expect to find when I lifted the lid, however, was a gold pendent upon a chain, embossed with the arms of the musketeer's regiment. I held it up towards the torchlight, staring at the proud symbol which was borne upon the shoulder of every man in the regiment. They looked at me with a silent pride as I could not hold back my tears. "It is to remind you that no matter where you go, or how long you are parted from us, you will always be counted amongst our number." Treville said, offering to fasten the clasp for me.
I felt the comfortable weight sink against my neck as the cool metal rapidly began to warm itself against my skin. I could scarcely think of what to say. "How…where…this is far too much, captain…" but he hushed me, shaking his head in disagreement.
"We all contributed towards it," Athos revealed as everyone nodded, beaming proudly. "And you are worth every penny."
"Aye!" Porthos bellowed, raising a valiant cheer from the others. I laughed through my tears.
"You are all such silly creatures…what will you do without me?" They laughed with me, and Treville kissed my hand to see me off with his blessings and well wishes. Part of me wanted to regress upon my decision to leave, for how could I leave such wonderful men such as they? But as the celebration continued and I stepped back to watch them, I knew that in truth, they would do just fine without me. I was not paramount to their survival, only a contributor to their comforts and happiness. Now it was time to seek my own. Silently, Athos came to stand beside me, followed by Aramis, then d'Artagnan and finally Porthos, who swept me up and deposited me upon his shoulder as if I weighed nothing. I laughed and ruffled his hair, making him twist his face to beam at me.
They were good men. Some of the very best I had ever known. But it was time to let go and take the first step in a new life, and see where it would take me.