Lost in the pages

Cardinal

The four of them rode the short distance back to the Garrison. Athos dismounted and took the stairs two at a time the others followed him into his room.

"We should never have gone through with this plan" Athos said picking up a brandy bottle and taking a deep hard drink before handing it off to Porthos "Estelle should never have been put into the situation"

"None of us knew that this was going to happen like this, we were as shocked as you when the Cardinal had her arrested" D'artaganan said poking the fire with a poker sending flames leaping

"I want to know why the cardinal wished to have her whipped?" Aramis said sitting down

"I think we need to pay him a visit" Porthos cracked his knuckles

There was the sound of footsteps on the walkway outside and the door opened, and Captain Treville was stood in the doorway.

"Constance just told me what happened to Estelle, Athos I am so sorry" Athos looked up "The Cardinal played like he didn't know any of Milady's plans"

"Typical" Porthos huffed 

"I need to speak to her" Athos got to his feet knocking the chair over

"Are you mad!" D'artaganan threw up his hands

"You can't be serious" Aramis said getting to his feet

"Let her rot" Porthos snapped "She hurt you and look what she has done to the woman you love, the woman you wish to marry"

"That is why" he looked at Porthos "I need to know why she did this to her"

"Because she wants power, and she wants you back under her skirts" Aramis said getting in Athos's way "Let the Bastille have her until the time that she is hung for all her crimes to include treason"

""Athos, Aramis is right" D'artaganan said walking over to them "think of Estelle, she needs you right now"

"I need you to be focused Athos" Treville said resting his hand on his sword "go make sure your future wife is alright, because I am sure the Queen shall be speaking to the King on the Cardinal overstepping his duty"

Athos knew they were right, as they left him in his room on his own. He washed and changed and headed back down to the courtyard. D'artagnan was sitting on his horse waiting whilst Hades pawed the ground next to him.

"Where are you going? Athos asked mounting Hades 

"Well, you might have noticed that the woman that I also love happens to be at the palace" D'artagnan smirked "And we need to make sure you go right there and not detour to the Bastille". Athos looked at him and shook his head before nudging Hades on.

As they reached the Palace and dismounted the Cardinal was walking down the stairs huddled in a fur cloak against the cold winter wind; his jaw was set tight.

"WHY?" Athos growled stopping the Cardinal in his tracks "What had Estelle ever done to you?"

"She is a danger to everyone, she is opinionated when she is nothing and no one knows about her, other than she is English" The Cardinal lifted his chin "She could be a spy for the English King. She knows you are close to his Majesty, so she has access via you"

"You're a fool" D'artaganan said shaking his head at the Cardinal "Estelle doesn't care what the King is doing" Athos looked from D'artagnan to the Cardinal 

"We do not know that; we do not know what he talks to her about" 

"I know it is not about the King that is for certain" Athos rested his hand on the hilt of his sword 

"Well, you have your whore back Musketeer, but she shall think twice about striking anyone in the future" Athos went to lunge at the Cardinal but D'artagnan wrapped his arms around Athos and held him back as the Cardinal swept down the rest of the staircase and out into the night.

"That man is..." 

"He is dangerous and slippery as an eel; you will get your chance to make him pay at some point, but you need to focus on Estelle" He felt Athos relax and he let him go.

Constance came from the Queen's apartments and stopped as she saw the two of them walking toward her.

"How is she?" Athos asked anxiously

"She is alright, she has a slight fever but nothing that is too bad" She squeezed his hand "but I think it is you that she needs" Athos nodded and walked around her and carried on to the room that I had been given. He put his hand on the handle and took a deep breath before he opened it.

One of the Queens ladies was sat next to the bed pressing a cold compress to my forehead; she looked up at him and smiled. Athos walked over to the foot of the bad and took off his sword belt and laid it on the chaise at the foot of the bed.

"I will leave you two alone" the Lady got to her feet and walked to the door and closed it softly after her. Athos took off his jacket and came and sat on the edge of the bed. He picked up the cloth from my head and dropped it into the bowl of water before squeezing it out and dabbing it on my head.

"I am so sorry" he murmured

"Athos" I slowly opened my eyes

"I'm here" he smiled weakly " he lifted my hand and kissed it "I should have listened to you, and I should have just ridden on and not stopped till we were far from Paris" I winced as I lifted my arm and touched the side of his face.

"We can't change it" I slowly blinked fighting off the sleepiness "All I thought of was being back with you" I turned his face to my hand and kissed the palm "Have you eaten?" He shook his head

"I have little appetite" he shrugged

"You have to eat" I chastised and pointed to where a tray of food was set off to the side "The Queen had it sent in for me but the pain makes me feel ill" He frowned again "Eat and come to bed"