Awakening with a start, I dragged a deep gulp of air into my lungs and quickly attempted to sit upright, forgetting that I had fallen asleep on a horse. "Easy sweetheart, you're alright." Immediately Porthos draped an arm round me, a hand pressing into my back to keep me from losing my balance and toppling to the ground as I blinked furiously against the light. I recognised the road we were upon and when I looked, I saw Paris in the near distance. "Did you have a bad dream? You were moaning a fair bit." God strike me down for shame. My cheeks flushed with humiliation and I quickly drew my sleeve against my mouth to remove the sight and evidence of saliva which had started to pool free from my mouth.
"No, if I dreamed, I do not recall," this much was the truth. As far as I knew, I had not dreamed at all. "Thank you, Porthos. I can return to my own horse now."
"Why bother? Might as well ride the rest of the way with me." Tilting down his chin to look at me, I caught the devilish smile which naturally mollified me somewhat.
"I have inconvenienced you long enough, and we are almost returned. I shall ride ahead and prepare for the king's arrival." Looking into the sky, I judged the time to be a little after noon. "The christening will soon be underway, and we cannot have the king appearing in the state he currently stands." Porthos seemed a little unhappy with my reasoning and was reluctant to release me.
"Can't someone else go?"
"They know me better than anyone else here, they will do as I ask without question, and I must also change. We are running out of time," thankfully my brother had overheard me and agreed that it would be more efficient to have everything prepared for the king's arrival. Patting Porthos's face affectionately, I waited until he had steered his horse next to mine which was being led by Aramis holding its reins, so that I could lean across and pull myself into the saddle without breaking stride.
The gelding tossed its head to feel an unexpected weight suddenly appear on its back, but a firm word soon had it settled and I took back the reins from Aramis, drawing them over my horse's head so that I had control once more. Settled, I gave a sharp command and the gelding sprung forwards with renewed energy, seemingly knowing that this was the last ride before it could return to its stable and rest. It carried me swiftly for I was lighter than the men, and soon enough I was charging through the city streets all the way to the palace gates.
The guards let me through when I showed them my badge of office as a lady in waiting, and immediately I made for the king's quarters. The servants there were shocked when I breezed in, looking wild and dishevelled, but before they could begin to protest at my impertinence, I silenced them. "The king is coming, make ready for him! He will need hot water and clean cloths to wash, bring out the incense and oils! Fetch clean clothes and adornments, everything he needs to be made ready for the prince's christening, hurry!" They stared at me, gaping until with a final snap, I all but roared. "Now!" They jolted to obey.
There was no time to even forewarn the queen, having to run all the way to my own chambers were I washed myself clean with cold water and raked my hair with a comb to untangle it. Every movement was rushed, hurrying to arrange myself into presentable attire befitting a lady so that I could attend to the queen, covering my hair with a coif for simplicity, I adorned the front of my gown with my signature wren broach. It was comforting to wear it again, discarding my riding attire to be dealt with later so that I could rush back to the king's quarters.
I arrived just as he entered and Milady was being led away by two maidservants, though as she disappeared her eye caught mine. Seeing her victorious little smirk set a fire within me, and I scowled after her until Athos called my name. I quietened myself, fisting my fingers into my skirts to relieve tension before descending the last steps to join everyone. "You are just in time, we should make it if they hurry." Praise be for the king's servants and their excellent capability. Before I had even begun to pace the hall, fretting for the moments slipping away, he returned looking fresh faced and exactly as a king ought to look. He even nodded towards me, inclining his head after I dropped into a deep curtsey. "I owe you all tremendous thanks, but that will have to wait for now. I have an important appointment to keep." No words sounded sweeter to me in that moment.
I walked with them, following after the king as Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan all fell into rank behind us. As we moved, I allowed myself to smile at them over my shoulder as we made for the chapel, where all the most prominent figures of France and Europe had come to witness the christening of our prince. When the door opened to permit us entry, the look of relief and resounding joy Anne bore to see King Louis calmly walking towards her was so rich a reward, I would have been satisfied to feast upon that expression for the rest of my life.
When King Louis stopped before his queen, he maintained his regnal dignity as he addressed her directly, but spoke so that all could heed his words. "My apologies. I was detained." It was the only excuse a king need give, and it was enough to settle any rumours or whispers which had begun to ripple at his noted absence. Taking Anne's hand, I noticed how the king squeezed her fingers lightly, before leading her to the baptismal font where Prince Louis was to be christened. Exhaling softly, I fell into step beside my brother, sharing a gladdened look with him as we ascended the aisle together.
We parted ways when he moved to stand with Treville and the others, whilst I stood on the side of the queen and her ladies, as was my place. The moment I came to stand beside Constance, I felt her hand seek mine until her fingers were wrapped firmly about me. We were smiling together, sharing only a swift glance before we observed and witnessed Prince Louis was blessed and cleansed with water in the name of the Holy Spirit. It was a wonderful sight to behold, and I felt equally blessed to have been part of it.
When the ceremony was over and all duties attended to, Anne took little Louis away with her retinue following, but she swiftly dismissed them, leaving Margeurite to care for the prince. Only I and Constance remained, and the moment the door closed upon the last woman to leave us three entirely alone, Anne swept her arms around me and took me into a fierce embrace. "Bless you, Madeleine, bless you! You brought him back and not a moment too soon…how can I ever repay you?"
"It was my honour to act as your instrument, my queen," I answered truthfully, smiling as I returned her embrace, holding her slight frame in my arms as it trembled with emotion. "Fret not, Anne. The danger is passed." Nodding her head, I felt her chin tap against me from the movement. She tightened her grip, savouring the sensation for a moment longer before releasing me.
"Tell me everything I do not already know, were you injured in any way? You look quite done for. Come, sit for a while." Leading me to a seat, Anne also signalled for Constance to join us, and together they sat as I regaled them with my tale from beginning to end, admitting to my mistakes and wincing at my own follies, but Anne assured me that although I had failed at first to bring the king safely home, she did not hold it against me. "For I know you did all you could, and you did not abandon him recklessly. You remained, and defended him valiantly. I knew that I could depend upon you."
"Now and always, your majesty." Bowing my head I chuckled softly as Anne reciprocated, Constance exhaling with relief. I would have liked to have remained a while longer just the three of us, but a queen's duties never truly ended, and our time was interrupted by someone requesting leave to enter to bring a message. Errands to run and tasks to fulfill, Anne took my hand in hers.
"You may rest for today and tomorrow; you have earned a reprieve. Return to me when you are fit and ready." Promising that I would rest well and returned to her fully revitalised, Anne looked to me warmly before leaving to attend to whatever demand had been made upon her, allowing Constance to stay. Once we were alone, I sank into her, grateful to continue resting. "I think…I need rest…and a brandy…most preferably the drink first." Constance laughed.
"Come on then, let's get you settled. You've earned a little luxury I think after all you've gone through." Helping me along so that I could continue to rest against her, Constance brought me back to our room whereby she helped me strip down of my finery, removing the coif and the gown so that I could crawl under the sheets and descend into the comfort which was my bed. "I've rung for a tray to be brought up, the queen instructed that you were to be given whatever you wanted, so I've asked for food and that brandy."
"You are an angel amongst women, Constance," groaning tiredly, I felt my entire body throb with aches and pain I did not know were possible. "If this is how soldiers live their entire lives, then I no longer envy them their adventures. Everything is sore from my heel to the crown of my head."
"Shall I rub you down for a while? That might help," I chuckled.
"You are sweet to offer, but I politely decline. I fear being touched will only hurt more." Sympathising with my struggle, Constance sat down beside me and stroked at the one thing that did not hurt. My hair. I dozed until the food was brought, then I sat up with her as we partook of the culinary delights of the royal kitchen and shared the entire bottle of brandy which had been placed in a crystal glass decanter. It was fiery stuff, and soon we were giggling and gossiping like old women as I once more regaled her with the heroic feats and the battles I had fought.
Then we slept beside one another, fingers laced into one another's until I could no longer tell which were mine and which were hers. It was a comforting sensation to feel someone's warmth beside me, but in the darkness of the night, I could not help but wish the form was not that of Constance, but of someone else. Someone taller and broader, someone heavier who breathed more deeply, someone I longed for with an ache which ran deeper than the pains of my body. In the cloak of night, in the solitude of wakefulness when all others slept, I whispered his name. Porthos.