Le Mousquetaire Femme

Flashback 2

Anna looked up from the book in her hands as the sound of hoofs could be heard approaching the Chateau.

"Are we expecting anyone?" She asked Athos who had stridden into the room.

"None I can think of." He approached the huge window and stared out, hoping for a look at the visitor's face. "Anna..." He gestured for her to join him.

"Thomas." She whispered excitedly as two horses stopped outside the house and Athos' younger brother handed his reigns to a waiting servant before reaching up to help a strange woman from the second mount.

The pair rushed outside to greet the younger occupant of the house.

"Thomas!" Anna embraced the younger man as he grinned. "How are you?"

"Well...very well actually." He told them as he and Athos embraced too. "Especially now that I can introduce you to Helene." He held his hand out to the woman standing alone. "The woman I intend to marry."

Anna and Athos stared at the grinning couple in shock.

"Helene..." Anna said slowly. "It is a pleasure to meet you..." She glanced up at a still shocked Athos. "Would you like to come in; I'll show you the house." The woman smiled gratefully as they entered the home. "Please make up a bed for Helene." Anna said quietly to a nearby servant as she began her tour of the Chateau.

"We are in love Athos." Thomas answered his brother's unasked question. "It is what is done when two people love each other. Or at least, what most people do." He nudged his brother playfully.

"When do you plan to wed?" Anna asked as servants whisked their empty plates away from them and re-filled their goblets.

"As soon as possible." Thomas grinned at his shy bride-to-be. "We hoped to do it here."

"Thomas mentioned a tree?" The raven haired woman asked.

"The one mother and father wed underneath." Thomas added.

"How wonderful!" Anna clapped her hands together happily.

"Will you invite the village?" Athos asked.

"You must!" Anna exclaimed. "We'll make it a huge occasion!" She clasped Helene's hand. "It'll be beautiful."

"You're getting over-excited again." Athos told her with a small smile.

"Oh hush." She rose. "Now, excuse us gentlemen; we ladies have a wedding to plan." She pressed a kiss to both of their cheeks before ushering Helene from the room.

"Women, eh?" Thomas joked.

"You don't know the half of it." Athos drawled but his eyes deceived him as they flitted towards the room the women now inhabited and a loved-up smile graced his lips.