Lost in the pages

In his arms

"My Queen" the King was off of his throne and down the steps and across the highly polished floor and he drew her into his arms "I was so afraid for you" he stepped back and took her in

"I was always safe my love" she smiled at him before looking around at the Musketeers "D'artaganan and Aramis kept me safe until Athos and Porthos arrived to aid with our return to Paris"

"Then I am in the debt of the Musketeers again" he looked at them I felt someone squeeze my hand and I looked at Constance as the King continued to talk to Captain Treville and the others

"Thank God you're safe" I smiled at her and hugged her tightly

"I thought for a while we wouldn't get out alive" she looked tired "We have to talk" I frowned at her "Well Athos took you away a few days ago and none of us knew where" I felt myself blush "So from that look on your face it was good" I nodded. "I have to attend to the queen" she squeezed my hand again before moving away.

The King and Queen left the room as the chatter of the court filled the air and the Musketeers and Captain Treville was grouped together talking. The Cardinal flanked with his red guards walked toward them

"How the King allows you to protect him, and the Queen still confuses me" The looks on the faces of the Musketeers and Treville were ones that wished they could draw their swords. "Your incompetence almost got the Queen killed"

"How can it be incompetence when it was an attack from Bandits" Treville rested his hand on the hilt of his sword at his hip "The Queen is always in safe hands when the Musketeers are with her" there was a look between D'artagnan and Aramis that gave me a strange feeling.

"But I would have sent more than just two red guards with her if I had..."

"Well, that is the difference" Athos snapped "It takes more Red Guards as a protection detail because they failed to become Musketeers" Porthos covered a chuckle with a cough. The Cardinal huffed and swept out of the room in a flash of scarlet robes

"Estelle" D'artaganan smiled as he saw me, making the others all look at me

"I'm glad that you all made it back safely" I said walking over to the two of them Athos's face softened, and he offered me his hand and drawing me to him.

"So are we" Aramis nodded "It was a little touch and go until these two turned up to help"

"What was the Cardinal saying to you?" Captain Treville asked as the six of us moved to the hall and headed for the stairs

"He was saying that he'd tried to find out about me and he'd not found anyone that knew me" I shrugged "He did stop one of the Red Guards that attacked me from trying to finish what he started the other night" I felt the tensions in Athos's hand and I swear I could hear the grind of his teeth

"Someone is going to have to teach them manners" Porthos literally growled

"Before you walked in the Cardinal was asking; well telling me that I should go to his Palace" Athos stopped walking and looked at me

"He did what?"

"Not here and not tonight" Aramis put his hand on Athos's shoulder "The Cardinal won't be allowed to get near either Estelle or Constance"

"Lets go back to the Garrison" Captain Treville signaled for the grooms to bring the horses Athos drew my cloak around my shoulders and fastened the clasp. Hades was brought over and Athos swung himself up and pulled me up in front of him.

"I rode here on one of the Garrison horses" I said as the others mounted their horses

"I know but I want to just feel the warmth of you in my arms" he said kissing my temple. I couldn't help but smile as I lent my head in to his chest.

 We rode into the courtyard and Aramis dismounted and came over to lift me off of Hades

"Thank you" I smiled at him he nodded and moved to the stairs to the rooms Athos came behind me.

"I just want to get in front of a fire with a brandy" he sighed.

"Then lets go" I put my arm around him and we walked up the stairs Aramis and D'artaganan were in the midst of what looked like a heavy discussion

"Problem?" Athos asked with a frown

"No" Aramis said shaking his head

"Hmmm" D'artaganan huffed

"Estelle; would you make sure that the fire is lit in our room?" Athos asked as Porthos joined us at the top of the stairs "I will be along shortly"

"You do know you could just say I'm going to talk to the boys, I don't take offense" I chuckled making Athos hang his head and smile a little "I'm right down there incase you need someone to break up a fight" the four of them looked at each other as the door to Captain Treville's office closed.

I walked along to Athos's room and walked inside to the warmth of the now low fire in the hearth. I crossed the room and added a couple of logs and took off my cloak. I sat in the chair and watched the flames begin to lick at the logs, my eyes grew heavy and I slowly lost the battle it had been a long few days.