Upon the day of selection, I stood with Treville collecting the entry fees of every man willing to participate. I wished each of them luck, earning their smiles as they brushed my chin with affection in turn, telling me to pray for them the most in a light-hearted jest. The last to enter was Aramis, who's patroness came with him to the barracks' entrance, smiling and giggling until finally he was able to extract himself from her. Unable to help myself, I smirked in amusement as he approached. "Entry fee?"
"I've earned it, believe me," he assured us all as I lifted the bowl and allowed him to place his contribution atop the others. "Dear Madeleine, perhaps a kiss of good luck for your favourite musketeer?" He teased me, to which I scoffed lightly.
"I have no favourites, Aramis. I am cheering for you all equally." To prove my point, I turned on my heel and walked away. I heard the men laugh behind me as I carried the collection away and brought it to the captain's office, quickly locking it inside so that I could rush back to the balcony and watch the first four shoot their targets. Leaning precariously over the beam, I observed as Athos took the first shot, followed by Porthos and d'Artagnan. Both Athos and d'Artagnan struck the innermost white ring, whilst Porthos struck the outer one. Aramis, however, struck his target dead centre. He had always been the best shot.
Smiling gladly for them all, I waited until they had lifted their weapons to return down to them, wanting to avoid any stray bullets. "Well done," I praised them all before helping to change the targets for the next four contestants. I had stocked plenty of targets for this very reason, so that there could be no doubt as to whose bullet was whose. After shooting came wrestling. Here was Porthos' strong suit, for he was by far the strongest man amongst the ranks. His opponent, poor Arnaud, was tossed about until he must have felt battered and bruised.
Watching from the post I leaned my back upon, Aramis and Athos stood either side of me with d'Artagnan beside Aramis, all of us watching as Porthos enjoyed playing with Arnaud without really putting in any degree of effort. Eventually Porthos must have decided that he was finished playing games and struck back at Arnaud, hitting his chest, gut and finally his face with enough power to stun Arnaud without damaging him. Arnaud staggered, blinking rapidly in a daze and grasped at Porthos for balance.
Taking pity on his opponent, Porthos effortlessly lifted Arnaud over his shoulders to carry him and toss him into a pile of hay. "The wonder of it all is, he's not even trying." Aramis noted as Porthos looked at us, beaming triumphantly. Aramis lowered his voice to me. "I should like to see how you fair in these challenges." My mouth curled upwards, the scar on my upper lip twisting as I imagined myself attempting to wrestle with Porthos and thinking how pitifully I would lose.
"And leave you men so woefully devastated at my victory?" I challenged, giving Aramis a side glance as I straightened. "I would not subject you poor souls to such humiliation." This amused him, hearing his chuckle as I moved away to see to Arnaud, passing Porthos as I did so. "Bravo, a clean victory."
"Wasn't that hard,"
"Do not let Arnaud hear you say so, you will hurt his feelings." Smiling at one another, I went to Arnaud and had someone help me bring him to the infirmary so that he could rest and recover from his bout against Porthos. After the wrestling matches there were a great many injuries to treat, including several dislocated fingers and thumbs. Every man came to me with their hurts and I saw to them each in turn, putting fingers back into place as well as a shoulder, carefully returning it to its correct location before tending to the cuts, bruises and concussions.
For some, the challenge was over, but they maintained merry spirits as I gave them a small sip of whiskey to dull their hurts as a reward for their valiant participation. After the wrestling came the swords, and once again many injuries were brought to my attention after each match, though thankfully little more than small nicks and a few twisted ankles. Each were easily rectified, and I watched d'Artagnan come into his own against Aramis, proving his skill with his blade for all to observe.
The result would not be announced until tomorrow, so I rallied the spirits of the men by passing around the wine, each of them toasting a drink to whomever should be chosen as champion. They cheered and celebrated, giving me affectionate pats and claps upon my back whenever I brought fresh wine which had been the captain's instructions. He wanted his men to celebrate, and I saw many of them in the tavern that night. Between then and the morning, I did not have a moment to speak alone with Treville to ask him his opinions.
I was curious as to who he would choose. Aramis was the best shot. Porthos the strongest wrestler, but d'Artagnan had proven himself to be of equal standing even amongst the best of the swordmen. I was giddy with anticipation, and when Treville gathered everyone to hear his decision, I stood at the base of the steps beneath him, leaning against the post with my arm looped through the gap so that I could rest my chin upon my hand, giving the captain my rapt attention. "Choosing a champion from such a fine group of soldiers is a near impossible task," he began.
"And the winner is…" calling from the back, one of the other men, Jean-Claude, earned himself a laugh from his fellow contestants. Only Treville did not laugh. In fact, he looked quite serious, which I found odd.
"For that reason, I have decided that the only man who can fairly represent you…is me." A wave of shock swept through the men and even I jerked in astonishment, staring at the captain in disbelief. This was so unexpected. Immediately I looked for d'Artagnan but he was already walking away, head hung in defeat and disappointment. Treville did not linger. He ascended the stairs to return to his office whilst the rest of us wallowed in our stupor. Eventually, I rallied myself.
Swinging my body around the post I began to bolt up the stairs, rushing to follow after Treville to at least extract an explanation. Out of courtesy and respect, I knocked upon his door even as he made to close it, drawing his eye upon me. He exhaled, but allowed me inside. "Captain…what is going on?" Knowing Treville as I did, there had to be a reason why he would not select a champion amongst his own men. I knew that he did not doubt their capability, trusting each and every one of them independently. There had to be something else at work here.
"I have made my decision, Madeleine. I will not change it," I did not fail to note that he had avoided answering my question. Opening my mouth I made to persist, but another knock of the door interrupted me, and my brother stepped inside after Treville allowed him to enter. Athos glanced to me, then joined me at my side to face Treville together.
"This is wrong, and dangerous." He announced simply, but Treville was adamant in his position.
"This challenge is my doing. It is my responsibility to see it through." For once, Athos did not bow to Treville's judgement, instead taking a stand to champion d'Artagnan's future prospects.
"Instead of giving yourself one last moment of glory, you should be giving d'Artagnan the chance to win his commission from the king," he reasoned, resting his hands upon Treville's desk to lean towards him. Surprised to hear Athos speaking out of turn to the captain, my hand jumped to his back to stay him, speaking his name softly.
"Athos, take care of your words. This is the captain we are talking about, he would not do something like this merely for self-gratification." Treville looked at me appreciatively for a brief moment before returning to my brother.
"You think this is about glory?"
"All I know is that d'Artagnan has it in him to be a fine musketeer, perhaps the greatest of us all. But now? We'll never know, because you have stolen his best chance to prove it." Clearly this event had upset Athos more than I had realised. He stormed away after speaking his mind, not even waiting for Treville to give his response. After the door was slammed shut behind my brother, Treville lowered his head and suddenly, looked exceedingly weary. I have known him for a long time, worked with him side by side during every manner of situations. I knew something was troubling him.
"He merely has d'Artagnan's interests at heart," murmuring softly, I tentatively reached across the desk and placed a hand upon the captain's shoulder to console him. "Please forgive him."
"It is alright, little one." The endearment brightened my mood, and so I settled myself that my suspicions must be correct. There was something else at play which the captain was not telling us.
"Tell me how I can assist you, captain." If there was anything I could do, then I would gladly do it to help Treville. The man was like my father, and I hated to see him so morose and uneasy.
"This is something I must do, Madeleine, but I appreciate your concern. You are a good girl," understanding that Treville would not tell me anything further, I nodded acceptingly.
"If that changes, you will tell me?"
"Indeed. I know that I can trust you, my dear. Now go, enjoy your day. Leave everything else to me." Recognising that this was the captain softly dismissing me, I inclined my head respectfully before quietly retreating from his office. Below, several men had gathered to hear what the captain had to say, but I could give them nothing. No explanation, no words of comfort. They were angered that the captain had seemingly deceived them, but I stood my ground in this matter.
"The captain has always acted as he has judged best and has never given us reason to doubt his leadership," standing where Treville had stood to deliver his decision, I looked across the faces of the disappointed men. I understood their feelings, but I would not have them thinking poorly of the captain. "Captain Treville is a fine man and an excellent soldier. Whatever his reasons for doing this, we must trust that he is thinking only of you and your safety. We must have faith in his reason, as he has always had absolute faith in us. Please, let us at least wait until we have all the facts. The captain will not disappoint us, I am certain." Resolute in my belief, I reminded the men that Treville was and always had been our champion.
Whenever one of us had need of him, he was there to support and stand beside us. My words appeased a great deal of their ire, settling their tempers to recall that there was a reason why the captain was such a respected man. Nods of agreement arose as the men accepted the reason behind my words and gradually dispersed, leaving me with Porthos and Aramis, both of whom smiled at me. "Excellently done, dear Madeleine. Only a hand as fair as yours could so effortlessly placate wild beasts such as disappointed men," Aramis praised, so I swatted at him lightly for his excessive crooning.
"I only spoke the truth. Captain Treville will have his reasons. I trust him. As should all of you,"
"All the same, it's a shame. I was thinking about the prize money, if I'm honest," Porthos shrugged with a grin. "Now I wish I'd just kept the thirty livres."
"I am sure the captain will return the purses in due course. He is not a greedy man." The discussion now settled, I made to step down from the stairs, which had elevated me to the perfect height to match Porthos, however he duly reached for my waist and effortlessly lifted me to the ground. His head cocked to the sight slightly, regarding me.
"You're still far too light, Madeleine. We need to get some meat on your bones," he ruffled my hair. "How about we all find ourselves something to eat? I'm starving." Without any excuse to offer, both Aramis and Porthos insisted that I join them for a meal whereby they promptly took me out of the barracks to find somewhere with delicious food. I reminded them that they had just handed over thirty livres of coin each to the collection purse, but Aramis cheekily smirked and assured me that he had worked very hard to earn his coin, and his patroness had been exceedingly generous. Our meal was entirely on him.
At such generosity and their obvious care, I could not refuse. I found it difficult to muster an appetite, still feeling utterly uninterested in food, but Porthos ate plenty and ordered a veritable feast for us all. They coaxed me to eat, beginning with a flavoursome soup before gradually encouraging me to sample a little of everything. I knew what they were doing, and I felt I should at least show my gratitude by obliging them. In truth, my time supping with them was enjoyable. We joked and laughed together, effortless discussion flowing as we avoided the topic of the challenge and instead, focused upon other things to make for a lengthy and pleasant meal.
Within a few mouthfuls I felt full enough to burst out of my corset, but I continued to eat small portions, just to please my friends. Each time I ate a little more, I saw their eyes brighten, and I wanted them to at least have something to distract them from their disappointment. The challenge was scheduled for the afternoon, so we had time still to wile away. Aramis ordered us a fine bottle of wine which we shared, the drink helping me to swallow down what I had consumed. Anything more and I might just waste it all by bringing it back.
They were too good to me, Porthos and Aramis. As they discussed their patronesses, I listened to them with a dreamy smile, thinking what fine men they both were. I was a fortunate woman to be in their favour, to be considered one of their own, something akin to a sister. To have their affections in any manner filled me with delight, and I was grateful that even as they talked of other women, they continually returned to me to see that I was well, was happy, and that I did not feel slighted by their conversation. I smiled further, something which Porthos noted. He arched an eyebrow in my direction. "What's that look for, darlin'?" He asked, curious by my expression.
"I was merely speculating how fortunate I am," I answered truthfully as both he and Aramis looked at me. "And how very fond I am of the both of you." Were it appropriate, I would have told them how deeply I loved and cherished them, but we were in a public setting and I did not want there to be any misunderstandings by eavesdroppers.
"It is we who are the fortunate ones, and we who are exceptionally fond of you, my dear," Aramis immediately returned, taking my hand to kiss my fingers charmingly. The wine made my cheeks warm and flushed, but they deepened a little then. "You are the treasure of the regiment."
"What he said," Porthos agreed. He glanced at my plate, where half a chicken still remained. "You going to finish that?" Laughing, I pushed the plate towards him and watched him hungrily wolf it down. We talked some more until it was time for us to go, as it was nearing the time of the challenge. When we rose, both Porthos and Aramis offered me their arms to escort me, and feeling giddy from the wine going to my head a little, I accepted them both. Truly, what more could a woman ask for than to have two handsome men at her side? My life at present, albeit not the one I had imagined, was rather close to perfection.