Where the Heart Is – Chapter 6

With his doublet and weapons belt in place and his hat sitting rakishly on his head, Odette's brother-in-law no longer looked like the defeated man who had arrived only days ago. There was a purpose in his stride and a determination in his eyes Odette was thrilled to see, and she watched as he and Porthos finished packing their gear onto the horses that stood ready in the courtyard.

She held back a sigh, not wanting to appear anything but supportive of his decision to return to Paris, though she would miss him terribly. René had always been the one person who could make her smile even in the darkest of times, and she had sorely missed his light all these years. But the man she watched now was not the young boy she had helped raise, no longer the carefree youth whose quick grin and even quicker wit gave her such hope and promise for his future.

This man before her was not René d'Herblay, but Aramis, a stalwart soldier and one of the King's finest Musketeers. She smiled at the easy camaraderie that flowed between him and Porthos and knew that whatever it was that had driven him to despair was no match for the deep and loving friendship they shared.

Aramis sensed her gaze and said something to Porthos who raised his eyes to look in her direction. She lowered her head, not wanting either of them to see the tears forming in her eyes. She knew their lives were dangerous, keeping the King safe and the whole of France secure was not a job for the faint of heart. The bravery of the Musketeers was legendary and knowing this man was one of them left her heart swelling with pride.

She felt Robert step up behind her, his arm going around her waist in a show of support. They had never had children, and René had been so much younger than Robert, Odette had always treated him like he was her own. After their mother had died, she had taken the role more seriously, always letting René know she was there for him when he needed a mother's touch. When he had left before, it was under a cloud of hostility, but not this time. Aramis had shown everyone the honorable man he'd become, and this time no one would be able to mistake his leaving for running away.

She straightened, plastering a smile on her face as the two Musketeers approached. She reached out to take Porthos' hand, placing the other against his cheek.

"Take care of him for me, mon fils," she said.

Porthos smiled and leaned forward, kissing her lightly on the cheek. "You have my word."

"Then I will have no worries. I know he will be in good hands."

Porthos nodded to Robert who returned the gesture, then made his way back to the horses, leaving Aramis alone with his family.

"I wish I could stay longer," he said to Odette. "But there are things I must make right."

She nodded, a tear falling down her cheek despite her efforts to contain them. "You will always be welcome here, but Paris is now your home, Aramis." At the use of his name, he smiled sadly at her.

"But part of me will always long for this."

"Then maybe you should return for a visit more often."

Both Odette and Aramis turned to Robert in surprise.

"I didn't think you wanted me here," Aramis challenged his brother.

Robert shifted on his feet, a blush of shame rising on his face. "You are my brother. And you are a good man. I want you to know that I've always believed that."

Aramis smile graciously, accepting the apology for what it was. "I know. And I will return," he promised.

Odette threw her arms around him and hugged him fiercely. "I will hold you to that." She released him after a few moments and held his face between her hands as she placed a kiss on both his cheeks. "Good bye, mon ange. Be safe."

With a final nod to both of them Aramis turned and joined Porthos who was already mounted. As he swung into the saddle, Odette blinked the tears from her eyes and held a hand to her lips, sending her love to the boy she'd cherished and the man of honor he'd proven himself to be. René and Aramis. She would hold both of them dear to her heart.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

As they rode into the garrison, the two errant Musketeers were greeted by wide smiles from their comrades. Porthos pulled his horse to halt and slid from the saddle, rounding his mount to watch Athos and d'Artagnan rush to greet their friend as he dropped to the ground.

"Aramis!" d'Artagnan threw his arms around the Spaniard, much to Aramis' surprise and amusement. "Welcome back!"

"It's good to be back, d'Artagnan." Aramis laughed, patting the young man on the shoulders as they pulled apart. He gave the Gascon a fond smile and ruffled the hair on his head. It was good to see his friends. He had truly missed them. He'd been worried they would be angry at how he left, but was grateful at the warm welcome he received.

"You've been missed," Athos said quietly. He stepped forward and placed a hand on the back of Aramis' neck, pulling the younger man to him, and Aramis felt another piece of his heart shift into place. "I regret the harsh way I spoke. I hope you can forgive me."

"An apology from Athos," Porthos chuckled as he reached out and took Aramis' reins. "Guess you really were missed, eh?"

"Apparently," Aramis responded with a glint in his eye. He turned to Athos, his smile warm. "There is nothing to forgive, mon frere. You were only speaking the truth. I was just not ready to hear it."

Athos studied his face, seeing the certainty in his eyes. He nodded and stepped back as Aramis looked up at the landing leading to the Captain's office. "I suppose I have some things to explain. Hopefully Captain Tréville will be as understanding of my lapse as the three of you have been." It was Tréville's response that had troubled him the most. Porthos had assured him the Captian would welcome him back with open arms, but Aramis wasn't as sure. He had not confided in the man, and he had sensed Tréville's disappointment. After all they had been through with Savoy and Marsac, he could only hope the Captain would have enough faith in him to give him another chance.

"I'm sure the Captain will be pleased to see you return," d'Artagnan assured him. "He seemed very upset about losing a good man."

Aramis chuckled. "He did, huh?" He pulled his hat from his head and ran a hand through his hair, looking up again and taking a deep breath. "No time like the present, I suppose."

"I'm sure he will only have you mucking out the stables for a few weeks for your truancy," Athos offered helpfully.

"A few weeks?"

"A month at the most," Porthos agreed.

"Wonderful." Aramis squared his shoulders and marched up the stairs, stopping before Tréville's office, knocking forcefully.

"Come."

The young man cleared his throat as he stepped through the office door, coming to stand at attention before Tréville's desk.

"Captain."

Tréville looked up from the parchment he had been writing on and leaned back in his chair, his eyes roaming up and down the wayward soldier before him. He said nothing and Aramis remained stiff, his eyes carefully focused on the wall behind the officer. He felt a drop of sweat fall from his temple and track down his cheek, but he forced himself not to flinch.

"At ease," Tréville finally allowed.

Aramis relaxed marginally, his mouth dry, his eyes flicking to Tréville's.

"I owe you an apology, Captain. And an explanation."

"Yes, I suppose you do. Though I'm not sure I would want to hear it."

Aramis frowned, unsure of the man's meaning. Did he somehow suspect? Or was he so angry at his soldier's lack of professionalism that he no longer considered him fit to serve? He had no idea what to say, so he simply waited for Tréville to continue.

"Aramis." The Captain leaned forward, his elbows on his desk, his hands clasped before him. "Whatever it is that drove you from here, cannot be overlooked any longer. I believe I've been more than lenient because… well I suspect we both know why, but I need to know I can count on you. Your brothers need to know they can count on you."

Aramis dipped his head, unable to meet the man's gaze. "I know. I have no excuse. I…" he swallowed hard and raised his eyes, returning the Captain's stare evenly. "I certainly wouldn't blame you for not taking me back –"

"How can I take you back when you never left?"

Aramis' brow furrowed. "Sir?"

Tréville stood and crossed the room to a cabinet against the wall. He opened the door and pulled a familiar leather pauldron from the shelf. Turning, he held it out to the stunned young man.

"I never got around to reporting to the King." Tréville's face was the picture of innocence, a mask of stoicism to rival Athos' on his best day. "Officially, you never resigned your commission. As far as anyone knows, you were on leave due to a… family matter."

Aramis accepted the pauldron, brushing his hand over the familiar leather with reverence. "I don't know what to say."

"Say this nonsense is finished."

The younger man nodded. "I was… confused, but I know where I belong now."

Tréville moved back to his desk, clasping a hand on the younger man's shoulder as he passed. "Good. I will expect you at muster in the morning."

Aramis recognized the dismissal and moved to the door almost by rote. He paused on the threshold, looking back over his shoulder to see Tréville watching him.

"Thank you, Captain."

Tréville simply nodded and Aramis took his leave. His friends were waiting at the foot of the stairs; Athos leaning his back against the post while d'Artagnan and Porthos sat on the lower steps. They both rose as he started down the staircase, holding his pauldron up in his hands.

"Apparently the Captain hadn't found the time to return this to the King."

Porthos smiled and grabbed the leather harness, deftly slipping it over Aramis' arm and bucking it in place.

"There," he slapped a hand on the pauldron. "That looks better. How does it feel?"

Aramis huffed a laugh. "Like home."

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Athos watched Aramis closely as d'Artagnan explained what had happened in his absence. He had wanted to tell the marksman about the threat to the Dauphin in private, fearing he would react from emotion, unheeding of the scrutiny of those around him. So far, Aramis had remained outwardly calm, only his dark eyes betraying the anger and guilt at not being here to help resolve the situation.

"So what of the woman?" Porthos asked after d'Artagnan had finished his tale. The big man was sitting close to Aramis, his hand casually placed near the other man's arm in case he tried to bolt from his seat at the garrison table. Athos had positioned himself on Aramis' other side, one hand on his shoulder for much the same reason. Athos could feel the tension running through the younger man's body, but so far he had made no move to escape their company.

"We spoke with the Queen, explained to her the circumstances of Madame Cornette's involvement. She seemed to feel sympathy for Marie and convinced the King to spare her, though she will never be welcome in Paris again."

"She said she had relatives in Marsielle," Athos concluded. "We can only hope she will be able to find some kind of solace there."

Athos and Porthos exchanged a glance, both of them looking at Aramis who hadn't said a thing since d'Artagnan began.

"Sounds like you handled things fine while we were gone," Porthos praised the others, but kept his eyes trained on Aramis' profile. "All's well, eh?"

"The Dauphin is fine," Athos agreed. "The Queen is happy to have him back safely."

Aramis eyes flicked to Athos as if he understood he older man's message, but his eyes still burned with anger. Athos raised an eyebrow and subtly motioned toward d'Artagnan. Porthos immediately understood.

"I'm starved," he said, his voice loud and boisterous. "Come on, lad. Let's go see what we can talk Serge into cookin' up for us."

As soon as they were out of earshot, Athos sat down next to Aramis, his back to the table.

"He's fine," he assured his friend. "I give you my word. He was not harmed."

"And Anne? Was she unharmed also? Having to live through the trauma of losing her child?" His voice shook and Athos could hear the self-loathing saturating it. "And where was I when they were going through this? Feeling sorry for myself! Running away from every promise I made."

Athos placed a hand on his friend's arm and leaned close. "You could not have known, Aramis. And even if you had been here, you would not have been able to stop it. There were forces at work nobody would suspect."

"Meaning what?"

Athos sighed. "Meaning Cornette and his wife were hired by someone who wanted to create the situation for their own gain. I doubt the Dauphin was ever in any real danger."

Aramis frowned. "What are you saying, Athos? Someone orchestrated this? To what end?"

"To put themselves in good standing with the King, I presume."

Aramis' eyes smoldered. "You mean Mazarin."

"It cannot be proved."

"But you believe it so."

Athos sighed. "Before he was killed, Cornette told d'Artagnan he was hired by a woman. I may be overly suspicious of my former wife and see her hand in everything evil, but if she was the woman who approached Cornette, it would only follow she was acting on the Cardinal's orders."

Aramis hands clenched into fists and he slammed them against the table violently. "I will kill him."

"You will do nothing," Athos ordered.

"Such wanton malevolence cannot go unpunished!"

At his friend's burst of anger, Athos held up a hand. "His strategy failed and we will find a way to thwart whatever he has planned, I promise you. But for now, we must bide our time and keep our eyes and ears open. He will make a mistake and when he does we will be there. For now, you're responsibility is to the Queen and your son, Aramis. They need your protection. Can they count on you do give them that?"

Aramis nodded, his anger replaced by a fierce resolve Athos was pleased to see.

"I will never leave them vulnerable again."

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Aramis paced the empty corridor, nervously awaiting an audience with the Queen. Athos had tried to dissuade him, but he could no longer contain his anxiety and needed to see for himself that she – and their son – were safe and well.

The doors at the end of the hallway opened and he turned, his knees nearly buckling as Anne strode through, followed by her attending ladies and guards. She held up a hand, halting the courtiers near the door as she stepped across the tiles toward him, a soft smile on her radiant face.

"Aramis," she greeted, extending her hand for him to kiss.

"Your Majesty," he took her hand, bowed, and placed his lips on her warm skin. "You look radiant."

Her smile increased. "I am well," she responded, her eyes meeting his, not bothering to hide the emotion they contained. "As is my son, thanks to your friends."

Aramis ducked his head. "You were fortunate they were here to bring the situation to a successful conclusion." He tried to hide the self-contempt in his tone, but wasn't quite sure he'd accomplished the task when she placed her other hand over his.

"As I'm sure you would have done, had you not been pulled away by matters beyond your control."

He looked up and caught her eye, fearing condemnation, but seeing only remorse and understanding.

"I should have been here."

Anne nodded. "Yet your absence was not entirely of your own doing." She took a step closer and lowered her voice. "I was wrong to say those things to you. Knowing you are here for us is the one thing that makes this life bearable. I hope you can forgive me my rash behavior."

Aramis frowned, confused. "There is nothing to forgive, Your Majesty. You spoke the truth."

She shook her head. "It was not my truth, Aramis." She hesitated, looking over her shoulder nervously at the people congregated behind her. "We cannot speak freely now, but I hope you will trust me enough to believe I spoke those words in fear. A fear I will no longer allow to control me."

"Did something happen? Did someone threaten you?"

Anne nodded. "The Cardinal insinuated I was being watched… closely. I… was afraid of his meaning, so I pushed you away."

Aramis' eyes narrowed, his lips thinning to a hard line. "The Cardinal's days are numbered. His affiliation with the church will not protect him from my wrath." he hissed.

Anne's hold on his hands tightened. "You must do nothing. As Athos pointed out to me, he has no proof and we cannot give credence to his suspicions."

Aramis sighed and took a step back, heeding the wisdom of her words, wary of the scrutiny they were currently under.

"You are right, but I give you my word, you shall have nothing to fear from Mazarin or anyone else. I will let no harm come to you. Either of you."

She smiled and he felt his heart leap in his chest at the trust and love reflected in the gesture. "I have faith in you, Aramis. I know we are safe as long as you are here."

He bowed, his eyes holding hers, conveying his resolve. "Then this is truly where I belong."

She took a step back and folded her hands regally across her stomach. "Your loyalty and concern have never been in doubt, Monsieur Aramis" she said, pitching her voice louder for the audience behind to hear. "And both are very much appreciated."

He nodded as she turned and strode back to the assembled servants, leading them back through the doors. His hand strayed to the gold cross he wore and pulled it to his lips, kissing it reverently, his eyes watching the Queen's entourage disappear from view.

"It seems even though you missed all the excitement, Her Majesty still considers you her champion."

Aramis forced himself to remain still as the Cardinal's voice echoed across the wide hallway from behind him. He felt the man's gaze on his back like a dagger through his skin and swallowed hard to control the bile that rose in his throat at the thought of Mazarin's nearness to Anne and their child.

He took a deep breath through his nose, letting it out slowly in an attempt to calm the rage that thrummed through his body. His muscles were tense and he knew his anger showed in his eyes. Closing them, he fought to contain his emotions, remembering what Anne had said about not lending credence to the Cardinal's accusations.

Athos was right. Mazarin had no proof of anything. He could speculate all he wanted, but there was nothing to condemn them save their own actions.

He would not give the man that satisfaction.

He pasted a dangerous smile on his face and turned to the man who had orchestrated the kidnapping of his son.

"So it would seem," he responded, surprised at the evenness of his voice. "From what I've heard, no harm was done and the Dauphin is safely back in his mother's arms – thanks to the Musketeers." He added the last simply to bait the Cardinal and was pleased to see a cloud of annoyance briefly pass over the man's countenance.

"Yes, your comrades should be commended. I'm sure the King will reward them justly."

"I'm sure he will." Aramis bowed, not able to stand to be in the man's presence any longer than necessary. "If you would excuse me, Your Eminence, I must return to my duties."

"Of course," Mazarin replied. "I shan't keep you." He turned to leave, then hesitated and turned back to the Musketeer. "You should remain vigil, Aramis. There are eyes within the palace that see everything."

Aramis narrowed his eyes at the man and nodded, acknowledging the thinly veiled threat. "And the Musketeers have eyes that see even more."

Mazarin nodded in return. "I see we both understand one another. Good day. Aramis."

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Mazarin stormed into his office, slamming the door behind him. In a fit of anger he stalked to his desk and ran an arm across the surface, violently strewing the accumulated papers and gadgets from the wood to clang and flutter to the marble floor in disarray. He leaned both fists against the polished surface and breathed harshly.

"That was quite the display." Milady rose from the high backed chair she had been seated on, a delighted grin gracing her features at the man's obvious irritation.

"Those damn Musketeers are a nuisance. I now understand why Armand was so ardent to be rid of them."

Milady chuckled, the sound self-satisfied. "Yes, men who consider themselves heroes do tend to get in the way of progress."

Mazarin huffed a reply and stalked around the desk, dropping heavily into his chair, rubbing a hand across his forehead as if trying to alleviate an ache within. "We must do something about them. I cannot have them meddling in my affairs any longer. The King will not confide in me if he can still rely on Tréville and those damned Musketeers."

"It would be difficult to eliminate the entire regiment."

"I am well aware," Mazarin spat. "But even one would make me feel better." He raised his head, a sneer of distaste twisting his features. "Starting with that bothersome champion of the Queen, Aramis."

Milady raised an arched brow. "The handsome one?"

Mazarin simply glared in response.

"I thought the King trusted you?" Milady perched on the corner of the desk, her skirts parting to reveal the tight, black leather breeches worn beneath. Mazarin's eyes were immediately drawn to her legs, smiling at the sheathed dagger strapped to one of the shapely limbs.

"Louis does trust me… to an extent. But Tréville does not, and now he has the King's ear more than ever."

Milady leaned forward, waiting and watching as the Cardinal's gaze traveled from her leg to her bosom, then finally up to her calculating eyes. "The Musketeers rely on their captain's lead. Perhaps Tréville is the nuisance that must be removed."

Mazarin returned her smile and placed a bony hand on her thigh. "Perhaps, my dear, you are absolutely right."

The End…. For now

Three stories down – one more to go! The conclusion to my little arc will be up soon. Many thanks to my Guest reviewer! I wish I could thank you personally, but i just want you to know I appreciate your reviews and I'm so happy you're sticking with me! I'd love to hear what you all think! Thanks for reading!