Lost in the pages

Cat amongst the pigeons

 I paced the floor in the courtyard as a sleepy looking groom saddled a horse for me. I pulled up the hood on my Cloak. He helped me up into the saddle and I pulled on the reins and nudged the horse out from the courtyard.

I had a feeling that I was being followed, I looked behind me and saw three Red Guards on horseback chasing me down. I kicked the horse into a full gallop and hunched myself low. The welcome sound of cobbles under hooves signaled my arrival close to the Garrison.

I prayed that the Gates of the Garrison would be open, I rounded the top of the street and felt a sigh of relief the gates were open. There was a crack from a pistol sounded and the bullet hit the wall of the Garrison bringing out men from the courtyard to include Aramis and D'artagnan. The horse clattered through the archway

"It's Estelle" D'artaganan called out. I pulled the horse to a skidding stop.

"Estelle" Aramis caught me as I slipped from the saddled into his arms. The Red Guard rode in and stopped 

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Treville's voice boomed in the still of the night air the fire light of the Braziers in the courtyard the only source of light

"She ran from the palace" one of the guards said as Aramis tucked me behind him

"I did not. I was coming back to see Aramis" I snapped catching my breath "You were following me, and you scared me"

"I think with the trouble the lady has had with Red guard in the past it is no wonder she was scared" Aramis said putting his hand on his pistol 

"You should return to your duties at the palace" Treville said walking down the stairs from his office.

"The Cardinal shall here of this"

"Hear of what?" Aramis threw out his arms "That the lover of a Musketeer was riding to see him; let me know how that is taken by him" 

We watched as they turned their horses around and set off out of the Garrison. I let out a huge sigh and braced my hands on my knees.

"Estelle?" D'artagnan put his hand on my back I glanced up at him and the whole world tipped and began to spin "Opp here we go again" he caught me as I fell "I've got you"

"Something must be wrong?" Treville said as D'artagnan moved with me to the stairs "Take her to Aramis's room" for all intense and purpose all the other musketeers and Cadets had no idea of the plan the less people that knew about it the better. 

D'artagnan put me on to the bed and stood back as Treville brought in a jug of water and Aramis took it from him and dipped a handkerchief into it and pressed it to my head. I groaned and slowly opened my eyes to see them standing around the bed.

"I passed out again, didn't I?" I moaned 

"You did; but you have one large lump on the side of your head" Aramis smiled

"That would be from Athos" I moved to sit up and he and Treville helped me "is he alright?"

"He's a little distraught because of hitting you" D'artagnan said sitting on a chair, but other than that he is readying himself to see the Cardinal in the morning"

"WHY?" I couldn't help the sound of my voice

"It seems the first part of the plan worked and was very convincing" Aramis refreshed the cold handkerchief and put it to my temple "we didn't expect to see you till we came to the Palace in the morning"

"I know" I closed my eyes. Why had I told the Queen that I would tell Aramis "I need to speak with Aramis, in private" I looked at Treville and D'artaganan

"Estelle, you know I have no secrets from them" Aramis frowned

"I know but this is..." I groaned at the throb in my head "We're going to need brandy"

"Estelle, you can just say it" I looked at Aramis

"Sit" I moved so he could sit on the bed next to me and Treville poured Brandy into cups and handed them out "The Queen sent me with a message" I put my cup down and put my hand over his "She wanted you to find out in private rather than in public tomorrow" he frowned at me "The Queen is pregnant" 

It took a minute for it to sink in and I could feel the shock from D'artagnan and Treville. Aramis got to his feet and walked to his fireplace

"But..."

"She is two months along and we all know what happened two months ago" I sighed 

"How do we know it is mine?" He stammered

"The Queen and King have been married for over ten years and never have they come close to a child" Treville groaned "You and her have one night together and now look; If it was treason before" He hung his head

"I need to see her" he looked at all of us "I need to see the Queen"

"NO" I got to my feet and put my hand on his chest "you cannot give people suspicion of anything they will all think that the baby is the Kings"

"Estelle is right" D'artagnan put his hand on Armis's shoulder "You will have a chance to speak with her at some point, but not now, this whole thing with an heir to be born may disrupt every plan the Cardinal and Milady have"

"We need to Leave Estelle in here with Aramis" Treville said looking at D'artagnan "We do not know if there is anyone watching" He walked over to Aramis "the child will be Heir to the French Throne you have to deal with that reality or you and the rest of us including the Queen will lose out heads for treason". 

They walked out and closed the door and Aramis dropped down on to the chair by the fire and put his head in his hands and sobbed I dropped on to the floor next to him and wrapped my arms around him and held him while until her cried himself to sleep.