The Accused

Athos hadn't been expecting it, but he wasn't surprised to find Milady in his room. Since she'd been dismissed by the king, she didn't really have anywhere else to go.

"What's wrong?" he asked, shrugging off his jerkin. "Did the Church repossess all the Cardinal's boltholes?"

She pulled a face at him. "This room is dreadful. How do you put up with it?"

"I don't spend much time here. Did you want something?"

"I can't come and visit with my dear husband?"

Athos turned to study her. "We are not dear anything, as you know." Milady shrugged, looking away. "If you need help…"

"You had your chance," she said sharply. "You didn't want my help then."

Athos frowned, thinking. "How is it the king set you aside?"

"He was bored of me," she said carelessly.

"No. How was he able to?" Milady looked at him sharply; he met her gaze levelly. "Let's not pretend. Louis should not have been able to set you aside until you were bored with him."

"Someone's been giving away my secrets, I see," she mused.

"Perhaps he was just too strong willed for you."

She laughed. "Did you really think that would work, Athos?" He shrugged, and she smiled. "Well, you deserve something for amusing me. I found myself unable to control him, because someone else was already doing so."

Athos stared at her, very cold. "What?"

"My control is short lived. It must be reinforced often. And though I can make someone do something against their nature, I have to work up to it, and it doesn't last. Whoever is working on the king is changing the very way he thinks. It makes my control ineffective."

" 'Whoever'," Athos repeated slowly.

Milady tipped a look at him. "I can't do your whole job for you, now can I? And how is it that d'Artagnan hasn't realised this already?"

"He has," Athos murmured. "We just hadn't realised the extent of it."

"Good for you." She stretched out on her side, watching him.

"Are you working for Rochefort now?"

"What would you do if I were?"

He shrugged. "Put you out of the garrison, to start with."

"I'll save you the trouble." She stood, fiddling with her sleeves.

"Anne," Athos said carefully. "If you need help…"

"Not from you. I have always made it on my own. I'll do now." She swept out.

Athos went to the railing to signal the gate guard to let her out; then he went looking for the others. They needed to know this.

"My loyal Musketeers will escort me."

Aramis was so furious he could barely speak. That Rochefort would dare, that he would touch royalty - not just royalty, but Anne, his Ana, the woman who should be sacrosanct above all others. Rochefort must be insane to think he can get away with this.

Constance's hurried warning didn't help either, and Louis' brusque dismissal of them was the final straw. Aramis was glad when the Red Guards provoked them on the way back to the Queen's quarters. The brief outburst of violence went a long way towards calming him down and helping him relax a little.

But then he had to tell the others that Rochefort knew about him, about the convent and the queen, and that meant telling the whole story to Treville for the first time. He was expecting anger; it was almost cleansing, in a way, though he was sorry that Athos bore some of the brunt of it. It really hadn't been his fault.

The others left him in his room, going to decide what to do next. He didn't blame them, really. He'd already proven he couldn't be trusted when the Dauphin was in danger, and it wouldn't be any different now that it was about the queen. He sat quietly, praying, and waited to see what would happen next.

d'Artagnan knocked on his door after a while, pushing it open. "I have to go to the palace. Tell the others when they get back, will you?"

"What's wrong?" Aramis asked, standing.

"I don't know. Constance sent for me." He waved a scrap of parchment at Aramis, stepping across to the nearest candle to burn it before Aramis could see it. "She's worried about something, and it must be important for her to ask me to come, she knows we're not supposed to be there right now."

"Where are the others?"

"Chasing up leads," he said vaguely. "Trying to figure out what we're going to do next."

"I'll go with you."

d'Artagnan shook his head. "No."

"d'Artagnan…"

"Aramis."

"I can control myself, you know."

d'Artagnan didn't speak, but the silence was answer enough.

"You will need someone to watch your back while you meet with Constance. Let me do it. Please?" A way to make up for what he had done, in some tiny measure.

d'Artagnan sighed. "Very well. Let's go, then." He found a scrap of parchment and a quill on Aramis' desk, scrawled a quick note, and left it on Aramis' bed for the others to find. "Hopefully we'll be back before they are. Come on."

Constance cracked the door, peering at him. "d'Artagnan?"

"You sent for me. What's wrong?" His tone sharpened without his meaning to. Constance was terrified.

"Who's with you?"

"Aramis. He was with me when I got your message. What's wrong?" He hesitated, trying to sort through the tangle of regret and uncertainty coming from Constance. "He can wait out here, if you want."

"No," she said reluctantly. "This concerns him, too. I'll have your oath of silence, though, both of you."

"Of course," Aramis agreed.

"Whatever you need," d'Artagnan promised.

She stepped aside just enough for to let them in, locking the door behind them. Anne was standing over the Dauphin's crib; she looked up sharply as they came in. "You called Aramis, Constance? For this?"

"I called d'Artagnan. Aramis came on his own." She stepped around them, hurrying to Anne's side. "You know that they'll do everything they can."

"Yes, of course." She smiled apologetically at them. "My apologies, gentlemen. I would trust you with my own life in an instant, but…" She trailed off, looking down at the Dauphin, and a wave of fear washed over her.

"What is it?" d'Artagnan asked urgently. "Constance…"

Constance held out a hand and he moved automatically to take it, watching her. She squeezed, gesturing to the crib; he followed the gesture. The Dauphin lay, naked apart from a nappy, kicking cheerfully, chewing on his fist.

He was yellow.

"Jaundice?" d'Artagnan said, bewildered. Aramis made a horrified noise, coming to join them.

"No," Constance said quietly. "Look at his feet."

Threads of green were visible on the Dauphin's feet, thickening and deepening as he watched, strengthening until the babe's whole body was coloured bright blue. "He's been changing for a while now," Constance told them. "Every colour I've ever seen and then some."

Aramis stripped off a glove to touch the tiny arm. Purple started spreading from around his fingertips. "He doesn't seem to be in pain," he said after a moment. d'Artagnan winced; not something Aramis could fix, then.

"No, he's not distressed at all," Constance agreed.

Anne laughed bitterly. "Yes, that's good. He'll be imprisoned for Ability, but at least he won't be in pain!"

"It won't happen," Aramis said firmly.

"The King is not above Church law!"

"Lemay," d'Artagnan said abruptly.

"What about him?" Constance asked with a frown.

He caught both her hands, studying her. "I'm sorry. I'm going to ask you to do something unfair."

"What is it?" she asked apprehensively.

"Find Lemay. Tell him you need his help urgently, no one else can do it, it has to be him. Make him swear to keep it secret; he'll agree. Bring him here."

"How do you know he'll agree?" Anne protested.

"He's in love with Constance," d'Artagnan said without looking away from her. She was furious at him for the suggestion, horrified at the thought of manipulating Lemay, already resigned to it. "He'll agree. And he's a good man besides, and loyal to you."

"How does he help us?" Aramis asked. He still had one hand on the Dauphin's arm, apparently without realising.

"Have him declare that – I don't know – the Dauphin's lungs are weak. He must be sequestered, away from the palace, with only one or two servants."

"Send him away? No," Anne snapped.

d'Artagnan finally looked away from Constance. "You have to, your majesty. He can't be allowed in public and you can't sequester him here, it's just not possible. If anyone finds out you'll be accused of infidelity. Neither you nor the King has any Ability."

"That doesn't always mean anything. Not everyone with an Ability inherits it."

"That won't matter. Especially not after what's happened. Rochefort will take him away just because it would hurt you, you know he would." He was sort of surprised it hadn't been done already, to be honest; it seemed the kind of thing Rochefort would do.

"d'Artagnan is right, your majesty," Aramis said quietly. "You can sequester him in comfort with people who care for him, visit him, and bring him home when he's ready. Or you can keep him here, and when he's discovered he'll be imprisoned and you may be set aside."

Anne took a deep breath; d'Artagnan could feel her willing herself back to calm. "How long would he need to be away for?"

d'Artagnan flinched. "A couple of years. Two, three, maybe four. Until he can control this. He can learn control, I promise."

"There is no other option?"

"What about blocking him?" Constance asked hopefully.

d'Artagnan shook his head. "It won't work on this kind of Ability, and even if it did, it would make it very hard for him to learn to control it later. He'd be crippled."

Anne nodded slowly, drawing her composure around herself like a mask. "Constance, please go and find Professor Lemay. Tell him I request his aid; tell him it must be in confidence."

"Do you want me to come?" d'Artagnan asked.

"Better not, if I'm supposed to manipulate his feelings." She sounded calm, but she was angry at him.

"I'm sorry," he said again. "It's for the Dauphin."

"I know," she agreed, bowing to the Queen and letting herself out.

"She's angry with you," Anne noted. "I'm sorry."

"We'll get past it, your majesty, we always do." Smiling awkwardly, he crossed to the window, firmly keeping his back turned to Aramis and Anne. They talked quietly in Spanish; he let himself listen to the sounds without trying to attach any meaning to them.

Perhaps ten minutes passed before there was a knock on the door. d'Artagnan went to open it, letting Constance pass him and halting Lemay just inside the door.

Anne gripped Constance's hand tightly. Aramis had withdrawn a couple of steps, watching carefully.

"Professor Lemay," Anne said calmly, "I must place myself and my son in your hands."

He swallowed. "I hope you know I will always do my best for you and the Dauphin, your majesty."

"This will require you to lie," Anne said steadily.

"White lies are permitted for the good of the patient. What will I be lying about?"

Anne glanced at d'Artagnan, who nodded. Lemay hadn't wavered and his loyalty was strong; as far as d'Artagnan could tell, he was safe.

She gestured the doctor towards the crib; d'Artagnan shadowed him, two steps behind, ready just in case. He could tell the moment Lemay saw the child; his steps faltered and blind panic swept over him for a moment before he forced it down.

"I see," he murmured, reaching to touch the child as Aramis had. "Some kind of camouflage reflex…? I don't know how I can help, your majesty. To my knowledge I've never met anyone with an Ability. I've no idea how to deal with this."

Anne had relaxed when he didn't run screaming; now she smiled shakily. "My hope was that you would put your name to a report stating that the Dauphin's lungs are weak, that he must be sequestered for his health. Perhaps in Nice, or Antibes. Somewhere he can be placed with only one or two servants, until he can learn to control this."

"Nice may be too large. May I suggest somewhere like Néris-des-Bains?"

"That's in central France," Aramis protested. "Nowhere near any coast."

"It's not near a coast, but it has natural hot springs." He smiled faintly, wistfulness tinging his words. "Madame Bonacieux knows the benefits of steam for weak lungs."

"There's nothing wrong with his lungs," Aramis pointed out.

"If this is to work it must be realistic in all aspects, so I must act exactly as I would if this were true. For a child with weak lungs, my advice is hot springs. Néris-des-Bains is a quiet town and there are several bath houses. It wouldn't be difficult to commandeer one to take his Highness to each day to maintain the fiction."

"Then you'll make this report in front of the court?" Anne asked.

Lemay hesitated for a moment – d'Artagnan could taste the fear – but he nodded. "I will, your majesty."

Anne didn't react outwardly, but the relief washed over d'Artagnan. "Name your reward, professor, and you will have it."

"I desire only to see my Queen and Dauphin safe."

He meant it. d'Artagnan was almost sorry Constance had chosen him and not Lemay; he was a good man and he deserved a woman like Constance.

"This must be done quickly, your majesty," Aramis said quietly. "If certain people find out…"

"Yes." Anne drew a deep breath. "Go to the garrison, ask for a volunteer to accompany them; this may be a long term assignment, be sure that is understood. Professor Lemay, we will speak to the King. Constance, please pack for the Dauphin and for yourself – you and Professor Lemay will accompany him for now."

"Your majesty," Constance protested.

"It must be people I trust, and I trust you above all others. d'Artagnan will go to speak to the wet nurses with you; I will trust your judgement in that matter."

"After I've escorted you to the king and back," d'Artagnan said automatically.

Anne gripped Constance's hands tightly. "I won't leave you there for long, Constance, but I must know he is safe. Marguerite will go with you, and as soon as they're settled, you may return here."

"Of course," Constance agreed quickly. "I'll take care of it."

d'Artagnan caught Aramis' eye, drawing Lemay aside a little; Aramis came to join them. "You are making enemies in court by agreeing to this, Professor," d'Artagnan said carefully, watching him. "There are parties plotting against the Queen and simply by helping her, you are choosing a side. We won't blame you if you choose to stand aside." Risky, but they had to know he would stand up if necessary.

Lemay swallowed several times. "I have never believed Abilities are inherently evil," he said finally. "I think that, as in all things, it depends on the character of the man. Certainly the Dauphin has done no wrong. I won't stand by and let him be harmed; it betrays my oath as a physician."

Aramis smiled gratefully. "Your character is of the very highest, sir. I will go and arrange your escort." He bowed quickly to Anne and Constance, letting himself out.

Anne drew herself up sharply. "Come. We will speak to the King." Lemay nodded, following her, and d'Artagnan, with one last glance at Constance, followed them both.

Constance had almost finished packing when the Queen returned, d'Artagnan and Lemay in tow. Anne went straight to the crib, whispering over her son. d'Artagnan drew Constance to one side.

"The King wouldn't see her," he murmured. "Even about the Dauphin. He wouldn't open his door. And the whole court's outside, she couldn't force her way in."

"Are we going ahead?"

"We have to. The Dauphin has to be safe. It's too important to leave to chance." He touched her cheek lightly. "I'm sorry I asked you to do that. I know you didn't like it."

Constance shook her head. She was mostly over it; she knew he'd been thinking of the Dauphin, and she knew she'd do anything for the Queen and her child. "Maybe I'll sleep with him while we're away, as an apology."

"That'll hardly help him get over you." d'Artagnan was watching her, and the expression on his face made her think of standing outside Marmion's observatory and the joy he hadn't quite been able to hide behind jokes.

"Well, I slept with you while I was married. Now I'm with you, I need to find someone else."

d'Artagnan's gaze flicked briefly over her shoulder and back to her face. "He's a good man," he said, and suddenly they weren't joking.

"He is," she agreed. "And a good friend, and I'll be glad to have him with me. But he's not you."

"So few men are," he said solemnly. "They should really try harder."

Constance laughed, moving to step away. d'Artagnan caught her hands, holding her in place. "Marry me. When this is all over, when he's safe and you're home – marry me?"

"You're proposing now?" Catching herself, she added "Without even a ring?"

"Rings are overdone. Anyone can propose with a ring. Proposing without one takes style."

"Or not much forethought."

"Not much time."

He was still watching her, but he didn't seem worried, and she sighed as she realised why. "That's completely unfair, you know."

"So Aramis is always telling me," he agreed, grinning more broadly. "Say it, Constance?"

"Why?"

"I like to hear it."

She smiled. "Yes. I will marry you, d'Artagnan."

He smiled, kissing her hands but nothing else. He was being careful of Lemay, at least. "I love you."

"I know," she agreed airily, turning away, and this time he let her go.

They were just finishing up when someone tapped at the door. Constance went to answer it; d'Artagnan caught her arm, holding her back. He knew Marguerite, a little, and the swirl of misery and guilt was completely unlike her.

He gestured the others to silence, watching Constance until she nodded, and then opened the door just enough for Marguerite to see him without seeing any further into the room.

She blinked in surprise. "You - you're not supposed to be here."

"I'm here at her majesty's request," he said evenly, watching her. "Are you going to report me?"

Guilt flared and he frowned. "Lady Marguerite…"

She turned as though to walk away. d'Artagnan quickly slipped out after her, drawing her into a side room before she realised what he was doing. "Don't touch me," she protested, but it was dull and hopeless.

"Lady Marguerite," he said carefully, keeping between her and the door. "Have you been reporting to Rochefort?"

He didn't need to see her face crumple to know he was right. Guilt and relief were warring in her. He steered her quickly to a seat, watching for a moment before risking leaving her there to get Constance.

"What's happened?" Constance demanded, hurrying to put her arms around the other woman. Marguerite made an effort to pull away, but Constance ignored it.

"She's been reporting to Rochefort," d'Artagnan said quietly.

Marguerite sobbed. "I didn't want to, I didn't! He knew about Aramis, he said he'd see me ruined, it would have killed my father! And he only wanted such small things, at first, it didn't seem - and then I couldn't stop…"

"Oh, Marguerite," Constance sighed, rubbing her arm gently. "It's all right. Rochefort has fooled many people."

d'Artagnan had been thinking carefully. Now he crouched in front of the two women, offering Marguerite a handkerchief. "We can help you," he said gently. "We didn't know about this, but it will work anyway. We're going to take you out of the palace for a little while. It will be completely legitimate. We're working to bring Rochefort down. Your secrets will be safe."

Marguerite blinked, watching him. "Out of the palace?"

"We're sending the Dauphin away," Constance told her.

"Because of Rochefort?"

"He hasn't helped, but no. Not because of him." d'Artagnan glanced at Constance for confirmation before continuing, "The Dauphin has an Ability. It's manifesting physically, and he's too young yet to learn control. Professor Lemay has created a report to say that his lungs are ill and he's being moved to Néris-des-Bains for some time. You're his governess; no one would question your going with him. It will get you out of Rochefort's power."

"Ability," she breathed. "But their majesties don't -" She flinched, looking down. "It's true, then?" she asked, small and broken. "About Aramis and the queen?"

"Abilities can present even when neither parent has one," d'Artagnan said, very carefully. "You must know that."

"Yes," she said dully, "but that's not what happened here."

d'Artagnan looked helplessly at Constance, who shook her head. "Will you come?" she asked gently. "We don't need to tell the others any of this. There's no reason they need to know."

"I need to apologise." She looked at d'Artagnan. "Is he here?"

"I can fetch him for you." She nodded, and d'Artagnan stood. "I'll be back in a moment."

Aramis looked up sharply when he came back in. d'Artagnan shook his head quickly, addressing Anne. "Marguerite will go, your majesty. She wishes to speak to Aramis briefly."

Anne nodded, turning back to Lemay, and Aramis went to join d'Artagnan. "What is it?" he murmured.

"Let her tell you," d'Artagnan advised, waving him into the room. He didn't go in - this conversation wasn't for him - and a moment later Constance came out, leading him back to the queen's chambers.

A Musketeer called Dantes came from the garrison. d'Artagnan didn't know him very well, but he knew he was a skilled swordsman, and that he was loyal to the regiment above anything else. He and Aramis took him aside and explained what was happening.

Dantes nodded, unruffled. "I'll guard him with my life. Who's coming?"

"Professor Lemay and Lady Marguerite. One of the wet nurses; she's blind, so they haven't had to tell her what's really happening. Constance is going along until you're settled, and then she'll be returning to the palace."

"Do you want another Musketeer with you?" Aramis asked. "The Dauphin should really have more than one."

Dantes considered for a moment. "Barrois. We've worked together before, and he's fairly unflappable."

d'Artagnan nodded. "I'll go and fetch him. Do you have everything you need? We need to get moving, Lady Marguerite says that Rochefort may move on the Dauphin at any time."

"I have everything, yeah. Why don't we start? Barrois can catch up to us, he'll move faster than we will anyway."

"Good idea," d'Artagnan agreed. "I'll go and send him after you."

He was halfway back to the garrison when he met Treville and the others coming in the other direction. He reined in to talk to them. "What's going on?"

"We're taking the queen out of the palace. It's not safe for her there. Where have you been?"

"Long story. Where are you going?"

Athos glanced at the others. "We're going to the convent. They sheltered her once before."

d'Artagnan nodded. "I have to finish what I'm doing. I'll catch up to you."

"You need help?" Porthos asked. "Where's Aramis?"

"He's at the palace. And no, thank you, I don't need help. I won't be long."

Barrois didn't take much convincing. d'Artagnan sent him out of the city towards Neris-des-Bains and started away himself. The others hadn't gotten far and he caught up to them barely outside of the city gates.

"So," he said, falling into step beside Athos. "The queen and the Dauphin are away from the palace. What happens now?"

"We can discuss that once we're safe," Athos told him.

He had some kind of plan. d'Artagnan nodded, falling back to let him ride alone.