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Chapter 12

Anne did some rapid thinking and intercepted the men that were taking Christine to the room above Louis, the young woman had tears running down her face. Anne took her by the arm, and told the men, you are dismissed, thanks for bringing my new attendant to me. She took Christine with her, she would have to figure out a way to get her out of the palace. The men thought that the Queen was probably involved in the plot as she spoke with so much authority, and who were they to question the Queen mother.

The next morning Louis realized Christine was not in the room above him, and his attendants told him what had happened, and apologized for failing his orders. Louis was not thinking straight after having had 2 attempts against his life the day before. He stormed in to his mother's suite, and started yelling at her saying, "Mother I demand that you give me Christine immediately, she is to be my attendant not yours." The Queen mother said firmly, "I am sorry my son but, I cannot obey you. She is an innocent girl, please Louis, not her, there are many other women that will willingly, and happily be with you. She has requested asylum with me, and as such I have the right to keep her."

Louis was enraged, he said, "Your choice mother, you either give me Christine, or I will exile you to the island of Saint Margarite with Christine. What good is she going to be to you in prison?" Anne knew Louis was perfectly capable of following through with his threat, but better for Christine, and her to be in prison where they could be rescued, than Christine losing her honor to her own cousin, and her son possibly condemning himself to hell. Athos had helped save her son Phillippe, and she had a debt of honor to him. She told her son, "Do what you have to do Louis, but I am not letting Christine go with you."

When Anne refused to let go of Christine once more, Louis thought about simply using force after all the was the king, but then he started getting paranoid, and wonder if his mother, and Christine could be involved in the attempts against his life. Was that why his mother was going against his orders. Maybe she was trying to avenge his brother, or she might be in love with a traitor. His head was spinning, he ordered his musketeer's to keep the Queen mother, and Christine, locked in the queen's room, until further notice. He then sent a messenger to get Aramis, he needed the consul of someone he could trust. Little did he know that the Jesuits were behind the attempts to his life.

Aramis arrived to the palace a few hours later, he already knew some of the things that had happened, thanks to some palace informants that were loyal to the Jesuits. Louis received Aramis in his office, and proceeded to tell him what was going on, and then ordered him to take the Queen mother, and Christine to the prison of St. Margarite. He also told him to find D'Artagnan, and bring him to him as he needed him to take over his musketeers, he could not trust any other with his safety. Louis knew instinctively that D'Artagnan would give his life for his without hesitation.

Aramis listened, and when Louis was finished speaking he bowed before him, and said, "May I speak your majesty." Louis had called Aramis because he wanted his consul, so he said, "I give you my permission to speak monsignor." The priest said, "Your majesty, you know that I will do whatever you order me to do without a moment of hesitation. But as a priest is my obligation to bring to your attention that in my humble opinion it would hurt your image to have your mother incarcerated. I understand you want her away while you have your men investigate. Give me permission to take her, and her attendant to the monastery. I will make sure they cannot get away, and I might be able to further interrogate her as her spiritual director.

The young monarch walked back, and forth in his office as if thinking. He finally stopped, and said, "I've decided that you will take my mother, and her attendant Christine to the monastery. Try to get information out of my mother, and keep me informed. You will also find D'Artagnan, and bring him back to me at once." The superior of the Jesuits bowed before Louis, and said, "As you order your majesty."

Later that night, Aramis, Christine, the Queen mother, and Athos were on their way to the Vineyard of the sorrowful. Aramis had decided to take Athos with him, as the man was distraught after the king had sent his son back to the battle front. He did not trust the judgment of his friend at the moment, and was afraid that he would end up getting himself killed without supervision. Anne was worried for her son, who was clearly in danger, and on top of it was paranoid, and sending her away, without her at the palace, he had no one that really cared for him, watching his back.

After travelling for a few days, the group arrived at the property of D'Artagnan early in the morning. Phillippe was walking back home from the barn, dressed in a humble outfit that he wore each morning to milk the cows, he was enjoying the last of the good weather, and had not bother to put his shoes on. He was carrying a bucket of milk with him, and was happily chanting Gregorian chants for his morning prayer. He saw the carriage approaching, and wonder who it could be.

He waited for the carriage at the front of the house to see who it was. He was surprised when he saw Athos driving the carriage, and Aramis riding a horse behind the carriage. When Aramis saw the File de France, he shook his head, what would his mother think at finding him in that condition? Why did Phillippe reject his nobility to the point of having no regard for it? What a disaster, and he was partially responsible.

There was no time for Phillippe to go and get changed, he did not even have to get his shoes on, as his mother was already opening the door of the carriage. So he put the bucket of milk on the floor, and helped his mother to get out of the carriage, as well as his cousin. Anne hugged her son affectionately, and he returned the hug in the same fashion. Then offered her his arm, and invited the travelers in to his house. Anne finally had a chance to take a good look at her son, and wondered why was he dressed in old clothes of poor quality, and barefooted. She surprised herself when she asked him, Phillippe why aren't you wearing shoes?

Poor Phillippe realized the way that he must look to his mother, and to Aramis, as Athos, and Christine were already used to his idiosyncrasies. He smiled at his mother, and said, "It is a beautiful morning, and the winter will be coming soon, then I will not be able to feel the grass, and the dirt on my feet. When I was growing up I always went barefooted in the warm season, and learned to enjoy the different textures on my feet. I still do, so a few times a week when the weather is good, I leave my shoes in my room when I go to milk the cows, and gather the eggs."

Anne listened with interest, she always enjoyed learning things from Phillippe's childhood, he had had such a different childhood from that of Louis, and herself, that sometimes she had a hard time understanding why he did the things he did, if he did not explain it. She kissed her son's cheek, and told him with maternal love in her voice, "Thank you for explaining Phillippe, I always enjoy hearing stories from your childhood. I have to say that you look very handsome even barefooted, and wearing that strange costume. I am so happy to be here with you." The Files the France smiled at his mother.

Phillippe took his guest in to the dining room, and told them, "Let me see if Adelyn is in the Kitchen." Adelyn was not in the kitchen, but Margie was, it seemed that Adelyn needed much more sleep now that she was expecting. Phillippe asked Margie to make an orange flower infusion for the guest, and to cook enough breakfast for everyone. After leaving his guest with cups of orange flower tea, he excused himself, and went to look for his father, and Adelyn.

He knocked at his father's door, and waited to be invited in. Soon his father opened the door smiled at his son, and said "Good morning Phillippe, is there a problem with Adelyn? You look worried. Phillippe said, "No, Adelyn is still in bed sleeping, but mother, Christine, Athos and monsignor Aramis are here, were you expecting them and forgot to tell me?"

D'Artagnan said with a thoughtful expression, "No, I was not expecting them, was Raoul with them?" Phillippe said, "No, he wasn't." The former captain of the musketeers said, "Go and get changed son, in the mean time I will take care of our guest, but don't take too long, I will wait for you before I start asking questions." Phillippe said, "I could change latter, and just put my shoes on now." D'Artagnan shook his head, and said, "If it was just you, Adelyn, and I, that would not be a problem, but your mother is not used to see you dressed as a farmer, so please go, and change my son."

D'Artagnan went down to the dining room, and noticed the tense atmosphere, he went bowed before Anne, and kissed her hand tenderly, then she welcomed the rest of the visitors, and said, "What a pleasant surprise to have you here, let me go to the kitchen, and make sure that Margie is making enough food."

D'Artagnan helped Margie to take a tray with freshly baked bread, and pastries to the table, and Margie walked in with scrambled eggs, fried ham, and a pot with an herbal infusion. At the same time Phillippe walked in dressed in a newer outfit, and wearing stockings and shoes. He joined the rest at the table, and said, "Adelyn will not be joining us, it seems she needs a lot of sleep lately, and I could not bring myself to wake her up."

Anne looked at Phillippe proudly, he was a good considerate husband. She remembered her husband had no consideration towards her during her pregnancy, she simply ignored her until she gave birth to her children. Suddenly Christine started sobbing, Phillippe crouched by her side, and said, "Why are you crying Christine?" The girl threw herself in to her cousin's arms, who stood up, to hold her. She said, "King Louis send Raoul back to the battle field, I am scared that I will never see him again."

D'Artagnan looked at Athos who appeared pale, and despondent, he asked "What is going on?" It was Aramis who responded, "A disaster has come over us, the King has finally gone mad." The Gascon looked at the priest worriedly, and said, "Explain yourself Aramis." The priest said, "There were two attempts to kill the king during the celebrations, and somehow he thinks his mother, and Christine are involved."

Anne said, "Louis saw Christine during the festivities, and decided to take her for himself. I found out as Louis let me stay with him after the second attempt against his life while the doctor tended to his wound. I naturally could not let that happened, so I intercepted his men and manage to take Christine away from them. Then I refused to let Louis take her, I was concerned he would use force, but instead he threatened to send Christine, and I to Saint Margarite, and it is by the grace of God, and father Aramis that we are here instead."

D'Artagnan became enraged, and said, "Is that all he can think about, sending his family to prison, because of his twisted thoughts, and paranoia." Anne placed a calming hand on his arm. Phillippe said while looking at his mother with concern, "I am glad that father Aramis was able to bring you here instead."

Everyone turned to look at Aramis who said, "King Louis actually thinks that his mother, and Christine are being held prisoners at the monastery. I also made him believe that I would interrogate our Queen using my authority as her spiritual director, and report my findings back to him. Unfortunately, I could not come up with a plan to save Raoul from the battle front."

At this Athos said, "My poor son, I am sure King Louis will have him placed at a dangerous position where he will most likely be killed." At this poor Christine started sobbing louder. Athos said, "I am sorry Christine, I know you love Raoul as much as I do, please disregard my pessimistic thoughts."

The priest said looking at D'Artagnan, "I have more bad news, the King has ordered me to find you my friend. He wants you to take your old position back, as it was the captain of his musketeers behind one of the attacks." D'Artagnan said, "I have no other choice but to obey, however I need a sometime to fix my affairs." Aramis said, "He thinks I need to look for you, we can very well delay our departure by a few weeks."

Phillippe took Christine home where she could be comforted by her mother. D'Artagnan took Athos and Aramis to the guest rooms, and after Anne had a chance to rest, and freshen up, he asked her to go out for a ride with him. He took her by the river, and after helping her to sit on a bench he fell on one knee, and said "Anne my love, I know these are not the perfect circumstances, and that I am nothing compared to you, but it might be our only chance at happiness, will you marry me?"

Anne smiled, she knew that she was not acting rationally, but D'Artagnan was right this might be their only chance, she said, "Of course I will marry you, it is the deepest desire of my heart to belong to you completely." D'Artagnan slipped a simple gold band with their initials on it on to Anne's fingers. The Queen mother initiated a passionate kiss with her soon to be husband.

That night while Anne was catching up with Adelyn, and Phillippe, D'Artagnan was talking to Aramis, and Athos was sitting with them. The former captain of the musketeer's said, "Aramis, I ask you to listen to me with an open mind, and consider my request seriously." The priest nodded, and D'Artagnan continued "Since Anne has been visiting Phillippe regularly, she and I have had a chance to get to know each other, as parents of the same son who we both love. Thing have progress farther than that, and we are in love. Now that Louis has exiled her, I asked her to marry me, and she accepted."

Aramis looked at D'Artagnan gapping, but quickly regain his composure, and thought that it might not be a bad idea, of that way, when his order managed to get rid of Louise, Anne would not be in danger. Furthermore, she would have D'Artagnan, and Phillippe to console her, plus a new identity as D'Artagnan wife. Finally, things would go his way.

He said, "I will help you, and the Queen mother, my friend. You will have to get married in the next few days, and you will still have to come with me, and serve Louis for some time." D'Artagnan said, "Thank you Aramis, you are a good friend, and of course I will go back, and guard King Louis at least until another suitable candidate can be found, also I will try to get Raoul away from the battlefield."

Athos said, "I hope you can do something for Raoul." D'Artagnan looked at his good friend understanding the anguish he must be going through, and said, "I promise you Athos, that I will do all I can to bring Raoul back safely to Christine and you."

Three days later at a makeshift chapel in the D'Artagnan property, Anne and Charles Sieur D'Artagnan, became husband and wife before God and men, as they declared their love for each other in front of those who cared for them. Aramis celebrated a simple wedding ceremony that he later registered at the books of the nearby monastery.

At the end of the ceremony, D'Artagnan, and Anne shared a chaste kiss before, being embraced by their son, who said, "Congratulations, I am so happy for you, it proves that dreams do come true." His mother and father gave him a kiss, and then Adelyn congratulated them, followed by the rest of the family and Athos.

After the wedding everyone went to the country house to celebrate with a nice diner, and wine. Afterwards Anne, and D'Artagnan left to spend a week in Phillippe's cabin, they were escorted by Aramis and Athos, who returned to the vineyard the next day.

Anne and D'Artagnan were sitting at the small table in the cabin drinking the especial honeymoon wine, eating cheese, and bread while smiling at each other, and talking. D'Artagnan said, "I cannot believe this is really happening, I almost feel like I am dreaming." Anne leaned in to him and kissed his cheek, she said, "I know what you mean, I cannot believe that I am finally your wife, and you my husband. I have dreamed of this day for so long. My only concern is that you have to go away to take care of Louis, I am afraid I will lose you both."

D'Artagnan kissed Anne's hand, and said, "You know I have to go. I cannot abandon our son in his time of need, even if he has brought all of this on to himself. But I promise you Anne that I will be careful, and come back to you, as soon as I get things sorted out, and find someone trustworthy to take my place." Anne said worriedly, "I don't know my love, Louis has many enemies, and very few true friends. I don't know if there are any that are still truly loyal to him. I was shocked when the captain of his musketeers tried to assassinate him, the only thing that saved him is the agility, and reflexes that he got from you."

While Anne and D'Artagnan were enjoying their brief honeymoon, Aramis left to check on the monastery, and to visit the people in the region that were loyal to the Jesuits. Poor Athos, was very worried, and depressed over his son. Phillippe and Adelyn did all they could for him, even Serge came over to visit with him, but Athos was barely eating or sleeping. Phillippe finally decided to get some advice from his aunt, she said, "That is how Christine is acting, bring that man over here, and I will take care of him, and make him eat."

Athos did not resist when Phillippe told him that he was going to take him to stay with his aunt as she needed someone to help protect her and her family, since his father was away, and his cousin Michelle now lived in a separate house. The man did not even think to ask, how D'Artagnan not being in the property affected Giana, is not like D'Artagnan lived over at her cottage. No to mention that her 2 younger sons were capable young men ages 16, and 18.

A couple of days after being at Giana's house Athos started sleeping, and eating again, as he was surrounded by 2 young men eager to hear his stories, and asking him to help them improve their fencing. Also since he had 3 women tending to him, it was impossible to refuse the food that they offered him. He was still very worried about Raoul, but no longer felt like he was about to lose his mind. He felt like he was useful to the family of the fiancé of his son, and that gave him hope to see him again, in the meantime he could continue living.

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