Galloping into the courtyard of the barracks, the horse had barely slowed to a halt before I was springing from its back. Jacques rushed from the stable to capture the horse by the reins, but I was already flying to the captain's office. My cloak billowed at the rush of my movement, hood pulled low over my face so that anyone present saw only a fleeting figure before I was hammering my fist upon the captain's door. "Captain!" My voice caught upon a choke, tears blinding my vision as I struggled for breath.

Inside I heard a clatter of movement, someone rushing to the door before it was yanked open and I all but fell into Treville's arms. "Tell me what has happened! Where is Athos? Where is my brother? Please!" Staggering to catch me, Treville pulled me inside and closed the door behind us, supporting my weight until he was able to settle me back upon my feet.

"Easy now, Madeleine, everything is alright. I can assure you; Athos is alive and well." For a moment, I thought I had misheard him. Everything seemed to wash itself away, leaving feeling numb. Looking upon me tenderly, Treville held my face in his hands to begin brushing away my tears, holding me steady as I stared at him. "He is alive, Madeleine."

"You swear?" Treville gave me his solemn vow. "But Jacques…he looked so distraught, he said…he could not even bring himself to tell me. You are sure?"

"Yes, little one. Come, you have had quite the fright, you should sit down." Almost carrying me to his own chair, Treville sat me down and poured me a drink of his own precious brandy. My second in a day, it must have been eventful. "Now as far as anyone else knows, Athos was killed earlier today by d'Artagnan. It is only a ruse, but it is imperative that we maintain the illusion that Athos is dead."

"Why such secrecy? What is going on, captain?"

"We are attempting to trap both Milady de Winter and the cardinal, to prove that they were the ones behind the attempted assassination of the queen." Mind reeling, I took a sip of the brandy which although did not clear my head, at least comforted my stomach with its warmth.

"Milady?"

"You know her as Athos's wife. Milady is one of her aliases." Suddenly, it all became clear. After the convent, the money which Gallagher had bequeathed on his death to the nuns was found to have a pressed flower on the inside of its lid. Athos and I had both recognised it when he had showed it to me, knowing it to be the chosen symbol of Anne, his former wife. Milady de Winter…Madame de la Chapelle…Anne…how many names did that woman possess? Thinking of her made me angry, enflamed by the brandy in my stomach. "D'Artagnan had to appear to kill Athos after an altercation between them to gain Milady's trust. We are even preparing for his funeral."

"Dear God…I am relieved. I thought my heart was about to tear itself in two! When I get my hands on him…I will strangle that man to within an inch of his life!" Now chuckling at my vehement declaration, Treville perhaps wisely moved the brandy out of my reach. He knelt down before me, gazing up at me with a comely, fatherly smile.

"When I saw you yesterday, I almost did not recognise you, Madeleine. You look so well, dressed in fine clothes and standing amongst other fine ladies…I should have recommended you into the queen's service a long time ago." Hearing such words I was happy that my improvements had been noticed, but the feeling was slightly soured from the devastation of having believed, even if just for a short while, that my brother was dead. Somehow my mind was still caught between grief and relief. "Now in order for our plan to work, everyone must continue to believe that Athos is gone. Do you think you can pretend, little one?"

"I shall give a masterful performance, captain. Rest assured, I shall not betray the ruse," satisfied with my answer, the captain squeezed my hand. "There is something else, Jacques came to tell me that he could not find Constance today. Have you seen her?"

"Aramis and Porthos mentioned that she came here yesterday to look for d'Artagnan in distress, but that is the last I heard of her. I'm sure she's alright, don't worry yourself, little one." Still, something did not quite sit right with me, and it was not the strong brandy.

"Why was she distressed?" And so Treville explained to me everything that had happened from the very beginning, from the moment they had devised the plan to capture Milady and the cardinal once and for all. It involved a great deal of trickery and play-acting, whereby everyone turned against d'Artagnan when his relationship with Milady was revealed after Athos accosted her in a drunken rage. In the skirmish, Athos had shot d'Artagnan, grazing him with a bullet, which explained Constance's distress yesterday. I frowned deeply. If Constance came running here at the first indication that d'Artagnan had been injured, then it only convinced me further that her actions until now had been forced. Only a woman who cared deeply for a man would rush to his side when he had been wounded.

"What are you thinking, little one?"

"That…I do believe I have a funeral to attend." As I promised, I made certain to look as devastated and grief stricken as possible. It was not difficult, for the shock had all but knocked me from my senses and they did not so readily recover. As the grieving sister, I was even able to cry. It was imperative that everything appear authentic, just in case Milady was watching. Taking me upon his arm, Treville walked me out of his office and to the cemetery where they were to bury a coffin filled with stones, the grave freshly dug and releasing a moist, earthy scent into the air.

The men had already gathered, but upon seeing the captain approach with an unexpected guest, I caught them murmuring to one another, frowning. When I was brought forwards, I looked to Porthos and Aramis, who were both studying me with perplexed, uncertain expressions. "Madeleine?" It was Aramis who recognised me first, so I lifted a handkerchief to hide my mouth so that no one could tell that I was smiling, even with my cloak's hood raised over my head. Porthos dropped his jaw.

"That can't be Madeleine, she's…" he could not find the words.

"I assure you, I am indeed Madeleine. What, three months apart and suddenly you have forgotten me? I am deeply hurt, I thought we meant more to one another than that." They continued to gape at me until I laughed which I covered by pretending to sob. I went to them, reaching out my hand to grasp at Porthos by his arm, creating a fine display of requiring him to hold me upright as he jumped to hold me steady. He was still staring. "Porthos, I am a grieving woman. Comfort me!"

"Uh…" seeing that Porthos was incapable of recovering from his shock, Aramis stepped in and placed his arm around me, pretending to console me in my grief whereas in actual fact, he was embracing me firmly and hiding his bright smile.

"You take our breath away, dear Madeleine. Or in Porthos' case, any sense he has left." Flicking his hat at Porthos, the gentle giant spluttered and tried to recover himself but struggled immensely. "So you are now part of our little ruse?" Aramis whispered as he continued to pretend-console me, using my dry handkerchief to dab at non-existent tears. I delivered a mournful expression.

"I heard the news and went to the captain, he told me everything. At least by now, the rumours would have spread throughout the palace that some terrible news was brought to my attention and I had to leave immediately. It will further the illusion, at the very least." Continuing to whisper, Aramis stepped to the side to draw me to stand between himself and Porthos behind Treville as the funeral began. "When this is over, however, I may kill all four of you myself for putting me through such a terrible fright."

"We completely understand," although quietly spoken, there was a tone of amusement in his voice.

"I mean it," warning him clearly, Aramis allowed himself a chuckle. His hand remained resting upon my back and eventually Porthos also touched my shoulder, the two of them holding me as Treville conducted the ceremony to honour my not quite dead yet brother. We shall see if he remains alive after I was through with him.

"Today, we bury a lost comrade and brother. Athos was a loyal friend and a fine warrior," Treville began, making the entire farce as realistic as possible as we all stood around the grave.

"Great." We all looked at Porthos who had interrupted, his voice seemingly finally returned to him. "He was a great warrior." With a sigh, Treville turned back to the grave to continue, amending his previous statement to assert that Athos was in fact a great warrior.

"And a brilliant swordsman," Aramis added, lest it be forgotten that my brother was the finest swordsman in the regiment.

"A great warrior and a brilliant swordsman," completing the two additions, Treville made to continue as Porthos smilingly reasoned that Athos would like to be thought of as a great warrior and brilliant swordsman. "His death is a tragic waste…"

"He was considered handsome," interrupting once more, Treville groaned in exasperation as Aramis raised another point, though Porthos countered this with his own thoughts.

"He was more rugged, I'd say, but, you know…" considering this, Aramis doffed his cap acceptingly as Treville turned around to glare at them both, all the while I had to press my handkerchief to my mouth to hide my laughter as my shoulders trembled. From behind, it would merely look as if I were sobbing.

"Well, I suppose it's in the eye of the beholder."

"May I continue?" Eyeing them both, warning them to say another word, Treville resumed his eulogy. "His death is a tragic waste…but none of us could save him…" beside me Porthos shifted, drawing my eye towards him where I noticed that he was looking a little emotional.

"Was a funeral strictly necessary?" He asked, blinking as if something was irritating his eyes.

"Milady might be watching. We had to make it convincing." After a moment, Porthos' voice sounded heavy and shaky.

"It's very emotional." Enamoured by his softness, I slipped my arms through his and leaned myself against him, my head coming to rest against his shoulder guard as I curled my fingers through his. I squeezed them to bolster his resolve as Aramis reminded him that Athos was not actually dead. "Still, it's the thought that, you know…"

"You are a sweetheart, aren't you Porthos?" Whispering to him, I looked up with a smile as he allowed me to lean against him, his own grip securing itself on my hand as he struggled to hold back his own emotions. "It's alright, you can cry if you need to." Despite this, Porthos managed to keep himself together until the end of the funeral. Then began the long parade of everyone offering me, the grieving sister and only living relative remaining, their condolences. There were many bows and kisses to my hand, and a great deal of struggling to keep from smiling and embracing in gladness to see one another again.

Aramis and Porthos remained standing behind me until the last soldier had bid his farewell, the captain following shortly afterwards with a quiet word to maintain the ruse whilst in public. We did so, sombrely walking away with Aramis gallantly holding me upright as I wept and cried until finally, we were out of sight of the cemetery and hidden from view. Then we each broke into elated smiles and rushed to embrace one another, Porthos lifting me cleanly off the ground with a boisterous laugh. "There she is! Can't believe it's you, Madeleine! Finally got some meat on them bones," he prodded at my stomach as he sat me on his one arm, "still able to carry you like this though, so you still need to fatten up more." He ruffled at my hair as he set me down and I beamingly swatted him away.

"Even if I were as fat as a pig, you would still be able to carry me, Porthos, so that will never happen." Unable to hold myself back, I flung my arms around his waist and held onto him as tightly as I could. "I have missed you. Both of you, I am glad to see you both." Looking to Aramis, I embraced him next where he cheekily kissed my cheeks until I had to swat him away too. "Can you take me to Athos? I must see him, even if it is only for a moment…"

"Well, it would not be convincing if we were to suddenly part ways after a beloved friend and brother's death, would it? Join us for a drink, dearest Madeleine." Sweeping his hat into a bow, Aramis then returned to have me settled upon his arm as I pinched my cheeks to make them appear flushed from crying. They took me directly to him, keeping watch for any followers whilst I kept my face hidden by the hood of my cloak.

They brought me to a tavern, one which was quiet and discreet, but the moment I stepped inside I recognised the form of my brother sat towards the back in a dark corner, wearing a heavy coat and large hat to hide his face, but I still knew it to be him. We closed the door behind us and Porthos pulled out a seat for me to take as I lowered my hood and smiled gratefully. Recognising our presence, my brother lifted his head. "How was my funeral?"

"Rather lovely, as a matter of fact," I watched his entire body stiffen, neck straightening upright in recognition of my voice. Athos began to turn, his shoulders twitching towards the source of my voice but at the last moment he caught himself and settled back into his seat. He did not look at me, but that was not important. All that mattered was that he was alive and I could see him for myself.

"The Captain had some very nice things to say about you," Porthos added as he settled himself into his own seat which was turned to face my direction.

"Porthos even shed a few tears." At this Porthos glared at Aramis as I chuckled, drumming my fingers against the table as my brother spoke in an amused drawl.

"I'm sorry to have missed it." I for one was glad that he had, because it meant that he was not the one in the coffin. Were that ever to be the case, then I would probably follow him into the ground soon after. Imagining life without Athos…I could not bear it. Not when he was all I had left of my own flesh and blood. My one true lifeline whom I knew I could depend upon to love and protect me should ever I need. My heart trembled and I felt fresh tears rouse themselves from their hibernation. "Any news from d'Artagnan?"

"Not since he killed you." Beginning to think of d'Artagnan, I prayed that he was alright and that the elaborate ploy which had been orchestrated to trick the cardinal and Milady had worked, my thoughts did not spiral far before they were interrupted by the arrival of none other than Monsieur Bonacieux.

"Where is she?" He demanded, coming directly to our table whereby looked to him in surprise. Although he glanced at me, he did not show any sense of recognition and quickly focused his attention upon Aramis and Porthos. "Is he hiding her somewhere?" Constance. Clenching my fingers together, I held my breath to keep myself from allowing my burst of anger to tear free and rage at him. He was to blame for how Constance turned away d'Artagnan and ended my friendship with her, I was convinced of it. "I know what you Musketeers are like." Clueless as to the meaning of his senseless blathering, Aramis asked him what he was talking about. His sharp eyes glowered fiercely as his upper lip hair twitched uncontrollably in anger. "Madame Bonacieux left my house yesterday afternoon. I know she's eloped with that wretch d'Artagnan." When none of us offered an explanation, he huffed with a ruffle of his cloak. "Well, I'll challenge him. I have no choice." Such a notion was as ridiculous as it was unwise.

"Calm down," rising to his feet, Porthos faced Bonacieux before he could run away with himself and such reckless notions as challenging d'Artagnan to a duel. "Right, tell us exactly what happened."

"I already have. She disappeared and hasn't returned." I knew it. I knew something was wrong.

"Well, she's not with d'Artagnan, I can assure you that." Covering my mouth as I began to feel rather nauseous, I kept my face turned away from Bonacieux who continued to huff pompously at both Aramis and Porthos.

"A respectable woman doesn't just disappear in broad daylight." When none of us offered to help him, he cussed under his breath before storming away, slamming the tavern door behind him. The moment he was gone, I was on my feet.

"I must look for her,"

"Settle down, Madeleine. We cannot act rashly," Aramis advised, both he and Porthos catching my wrists before I could race away and begin searching Paris for my lost friend. "We must act cohesively if we are to succeed in our venture."

"Grieving or not, I would never abandon a friend if they were in trouble. I would do the same for any of you, no matter how deep my pain." At this, both men looked at me with untold fondness, and even Athos turned himself in his seat so that I could finally see his face. He still did not look at us directly, but I caught a brief glance before he averted his gaze and hid the upturned tilt of his mouth betraying a smile. "Jacques told me that he could not find Constance to deliver my letter to her. I felt something was wrong ever since that moment. I intended to go looking for her, but then Jacques revealed that Athos…" trailing away the words, I could not even bring myself to say them.

"If Constance has been missing all night, she might be in danger." Agreeing with me, Porthos gently tugged on my wrist to have me sit down. I obliged, but only because I worried that if I did not, he would pull a little more strongly and I might lose my hand altogether. He sometimes forgets his strength.

"D'Artagnan can't know about this, not now. It will only distract him," my brother decided, which seemed cruel but necessary.

"You know he loves her," ever the romantic, Aramis understood that d'Artagnan would want to know if the woman he loved was in danger. Remaining practical, however, had always been my brother's strong suit.

"All the more reason to keep it from him. One lapse in concentration might cost him his life." To this, Aramis wondered what it meant for Constance's life? I dared not think that any harm might come to her because of this. I no longer had to pretend to appear sickened and aggrieved, I felt plenty of the genuine article to convince even the harshest critic. As the door opened once again and someone asked for Aramis directly, I hid my face in my hands. I felt Porthos reach across to pat my back, reassuring rubbing circles to comfort me as Aramis received a message from the cardinal.

"The cardinal's got d'Artagnan. He will hand him over in exchange for Gallagher's letter." Handing the note to Porthos, I caught a glimpse of it and read the determined place of meeting. Place de Mon Pere.

"If Constance is missing, then I can only surmise that this is the doing of Milady." Removing my hand from my face to speak clearly, I looked at the note in Porthos' hand before rising to my feet. "She must know that d'Artagnan is in love with her and seeks to use Constance to ensure his cooperation. Can we be certain that your plan is still working according to your original construct?"

"We have no reason to believe otherwise. Our entire purpose is to convince the cardinal that we have evidence of his part in the assassination attempt," Aramis reasoned with me so I bit down on my lip, thinking quickly.

"You will want witnesses if you extract a confession, will you not?" I could feel their eyes upon me as I quickly guessed the entire purpose of their venture, knowing how they think certainly had its benefits. "In that case…I expect you will have need of a lady in waiting with access to the queen."