Athos' shady past is brought to light, showing the romance he embraced and the pain he suffered, in the form of a passionate letter written to him by none other than his most mysterious lover.

Letters to Athos

He took the letter, but never read the words,

Stood by a candle

Watching paper burn,

As I sit by this window, watching the birds,

The candle flickers

And away he turns

From the dancing light, and from a daze stirs,

For the love he knew

He inwardly yearns

Dear Athos, my love,

What more is there to say?

I write one more time

Of how empty each day

Feels without you here,

My love

I recall, fondly,

Those days in the meadow,

Bright summer colours

Before Autumn's mellow

Shades of amber red

My love

Those were the best days,

I'll remember my dress,

The flow'r in my hair,

You – forever, no less,

I'm lost without you,

My love

These memories will

Stay 'til at last I go,

I smile when I think

Of a man that I know,

A man that I love,

My love

My dearest Athos,

Do not leave me alone,

I'm not one to sit

Contentedly and sew,

Unless I'm with you,

My love

Not that I'm lonely,

There's your family - but

Thomas is less of

A gentleman, you see,

I miss you dearly,

My love.

A charming young man,

This I cannot deny,

Comes uninvited,

To you I cannot lie,

To my bed at night,

My love.

Dear Athos, I can't

Be so disgraced and used,

With this I leave you -

He cannot be excused,

He must pay the price,

Nobody crosses me,

Especially not twice.

Hi there, I hope you enjoyed reading this little poem I wrote - just a few notes:

You probably realised that the letter was from Milady, written to Athos before she was 'hung', explaining why she murdered Thomas.

Also, the introduction is about how Athos, after discovering the murder of his brother and sentencing his wife's death, never reads the letter, therefore never finding out why she committed the murder.

I know Milady comes across very differently to how she is seen later (in the series), assuming the character of a desperate lover in places. I think this can be justified as part of the reason she becomes the independent, fierce woman we see throughout the TV show.

I'd really appreciate any comments you have - it makes my day to see someone has reviewed my work.