Hiya, sorry for the excessively long wait but I've had AS levels to worry about but I've had some free time (thank you, study periods!) and so I've finally gotten round to this epiloguey follow up thing. Please, please review x I'm actually really proud of this x

After his invitation to become the royal baby's godfather, the King and Queen of France had become close-like siblings-to d'Artagnan; an idea he never would have thought possible for a simple Gascon farm boy.

In that short two months, Anne had requested the pleasure of his company every day at sunset, unless he was on mission. In the beginning, d'Artagnan had been nervous, uncertain; but, as the weeks turned to a month, then to two and the due date drew nearer till it loomed upon them, himself and Anne had become close friends and their long walks around the palace gardens had been a welcome escape from the hectic chaos of their responsibilities.

It was a time for honesty and advice; one especially for the Queen, whom has sought the same solace as her husband for a companion whose word was true and heartfelt. D'Artagnan took pleasure in spending time with Anne: he enjoyed sitting on the intricate metal bench with its silken cushions and listening to the beautiful woman beside him just open up like a budding spring flower, fresh with life and wonder and a wisdom and complexity one could never quite imagine.

Sometimes they talked about their childhoods, d'Artagnan's father and his life on their farm after his mother passed and Anne's beautiful palace in her dear Spain. Other times, they spoke of serious matters of State that plagued the Queen and those hard, painful missions that left men scarred, that conflicted with d'Artagnan's sense of honour and moral duty. Most of the time, they just talked till the sun was truly gone and the stars were like a thousand pinpricks of silver light. If they wished to speak about something, free themselves of a burden or worry, they did so freely and the other would hang on their every word.

In honesty, some of d'Artagnan's best memories were spent with Anne and their friendship was something the both of them cherished, about as much as d'Artagnan treasured his the brothers who he lived and fought beside day after day. But it was always sunset that was the peaceful reprieve from the stresses and horrors of the world and even in the bleakest of weather, the two would brave the elements-if only for a short time-to talk.

Of course, they had issues with the arrangement: Anne was heavily pregnant and her physicians wished her to avoid strenuous activity due to the chance of sickness whilst d'Artagnan would find himself whisked away on another important mission to protect the welfare of France. But they just worked around their issues and found another time to just gossip.

D'Artagnan had also grown close to the King and was now a trusted confidant in much the same way Anne was-though their discussions were rather less frequent given Louis' surprisingly gruelling political schedule and usually less in depth about their deeper issues-and d'Artagnan enjoyed his chess games with Louis. In fact, Louis had insisted that d'Artagnan teach him the secrets of fencing and swordsplay while The King shared his own knowledge of hunting in return and the two had lessons quite continually at rather odd intervals of free time.

It was late summer and d'Artagnan and Anne walked side by side through the maze of the palace gardens, enjoying their quiet time together. The sun was just teasing at the inky blue of the horizon, lighting the sky with the last traces of red and pink and orange that danced and swirled into odd colours on the canvas of the sky, setting the world aflame in a picture of burnt amber. If you squinted, you could just discern the stars just beginning to sparkle dimly as a navy sheet slowly pulled over the eastern hills, as though the world was tucking the people of France into bed.

All around them flowers grew in bright colours, their petals drifting lazily on the light breeze, splashed with a multicoloured hue of the sky. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of the ambrosial meadow and crushed blossom which seemed to waft up from the neat patches of grass whenever they strayed from the path.

The two companions had fallen into a contemplative silence, though d'Artagnan's contentment was disturbed by Anne's pained and distracted expression. He knew her well enough to see the signs that she was debating something with herself; though her hesitancy to ask him was unusual.

"Anne, is there something wrong?" He asked her gently, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder and taking careful note of the way her fingers were resting protectively over the large swelling of her stomach.

Anne seemed startled by the question and finally seemed I come to a decision "I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" Her tone alone made d'Artagnan's heart clench with worry "Are you unwell?"

"Follow me...we must speak privately." The heavily pregnant queen have him no chance to respond as she grabbed his wrist and dragged him to an area out of sight of the palace.

It was a small alcove, almost invisible from the outside-like a secret garden-walled by thick green furs, a slightly uneven patio in the centre. There was an old table, made of wrought iron, flanked by two chairs and they stood like a tableau to a forgotten era.

"I've never been here before." D'Artagnan whispered scarcely as his eyes explored the small area.

"It is known to very few." The Queen supplied softly, taking a seat elegantly and gesturing for d'Artagnan to do the same "Here we can speak freely without fear of being overheard."

D'Artagnan frowned and followed her instruction, eyes searching hers for some clue as to her worry "This must be serious."

"You have become a trusted and meritorious friend over the last few months and I hold your opinion in the highest regard." Anne admitted carefully, her features making her seem conflicted "I have confided much in you- as you have placed our trust and secrets with me- and that is why I can no longer withhold the truth from you."

D'Artagnan was alarmed by her words "What are you talking about?"

"What I am about to tell you, must stay between us and only us. No one can know my secret, least of all the King."

"Stop with all this mystery, Anne and tell me. I will not betray you, you know that." D'Artagnan reached out and gripped her delicate hands in his and squeezed them reassuringly.

"I know..." Anne was trembling even under his comforting hand and her eyes were shining with unshed tears "But as soon as I tell you...if we were to be discovered...you could be executed along with..."

She stopped herself suddenly and shied away "Along with who, Anne?"

"Aramis." The Queen breathed in a fragile whisper, the words so quiet they were almost in audible above the soft, summer breeze."

"Aramis?" D'Artagnan could not hide his confusion and surprise as he tilted his head to meet Anne's eyes again "What has he got anything to do with this?"

Anne pulled her hands back, till they rested gently on her stomach, where her unborn child nestled safely inside her. The action sent a jolt through d'Artagnan's spine and knocked the air from his lungs in a sharp gasp as he reeled back from her.

"Anne..." the sound he made was strangled with shock, like a vice was crushing his windpipe "You didn't...?"

Seeing that he understood, glistening tears began to spill down her cheeks, making the sovereign look fragile and innocent. Never before had Anne shown such weakness in front of the young Gascon and he saw a new side to her that was entirely mysterious and, is he was honest, unsettling.

Reeling in the eruption of impulsive emotion he was prone to, d'Artagnan nodded his head and took a deep few breaths as he settled down into his seat.

"Okay...okay. When?"

"At the monastery." Anne brushed her tears away gently, looking down as she seemed to struggle to control herself "When the Cardinal tried to have me killed."

"How? Wait, stupid question...I do not need that talk again." d'Artagnan rubbed his temple hard though Anne seemed to appreciate the humour as she made a quiet, tearful chuckle.

"We were talking..." She began thoughtfully, wet eyes staring fondly into space as d'Artagnan watched the young woman reminisce "We-I...we shared the truth with each other...of our heartbreak, our past."

The Gascon nodded his head and murmured "The baby."

"He told me of a time before...before the Musketeers...a wife, a child. I can't-"

D'Artagnan smiled reassuringly and waved her flustered words away "It is not your story to tell. I understand."

"He was so kind...so understanding...it was my fault." Her confession was heartfelt, her guilt obvious in the tension of her shoulders and the way her hands pressed against her stomach "I just needed him...needed his love...from the one person on this earth who seemed to understand me."

She breathed deeply for a few tense seconds as d'Artagnan absorbed her words.

"It was foolish...of course, it was. And now both our lives-and that of our baby's-hangs in the balance."

"Anne...if the Cardinal were ever to find out about this...not even his attempt on your life could save you." d'Artagnan leaned forward, speaking to her in soft, hushed tones.

Anne turned her head sharply away to cover a sob, hand coming to rest across her mouth as she held back tears.

"I'm scared, d'Artagnan."

There was a painful sensation in d'Artgnan's chest and he reached across as her hand came down to meet his gratefully, open in invitation.

"I don't know what to do."

"Anne," the Musketeer's hand tightened around the smooth contours of the Queen's own in a gesture that was grounding to even the most distraught "Calm yourself. This will all be alright. You've said to me yourself: this baby is the best thing that has ever happened to you. I will not abandon you, nor my godchild."

"I could not keep the secret any longer, not from you." Anne gasped as her shoulders shook and her hands trembled with emotion.

D'Artagnan smiled gently at her "Thank you for trusting me. Does anyone else know?"

"Athos." She replied unsteadily, breathing more evenly as d'Artagnan's thumb rubbed soothing circles on her skin "He was there."

D'Artagnan shook his head at the information "Of course he knew. No wonder he and Aramis have been acting so strangely lately."

"I imagine it was the secret you and Porthos believed them to be hiding."

"Most likely." The Gascon agreed reflecting on his numerous conversations on the subject with both Porthos and Anne "How do you feel about it?"

"I trust Aramis...and Athos. If he wished to report of my adultery he would have done so by now." She smiled faintly and d'Artagnan could not deny the slight relief the reaction gave him "Besides, they are your dearest friends and I have heard enough from you to know they are honourable and loyal men who would most certainly give their lives for one another."

"I'm certain they'd be glad to hear of your faith in them."

Although d'Artagnan was shocked, he knew now was not the time to worry with it and allow it to toil with his emotions. Anne needed him. She needed to be reassured. She needed to know he was there for her. She needed to relieve herself of this crushing secret that threatened to bury her alive.

"I'm not regretful of what I did." Anne confessed, sounding bolder and stronger than before as she met his eye with her piercing gaze "I do love my unborn child and I have every belief he will be as strong and brave as his father. A great King."

"Don't let Aramis hear you say that; his ego doesn't need another boost." d'Artagnan said kindly before saying in a more serious "Though I agree. Aramis is a great man, if your son inherits his nature then he will be a very blessed, indeed."

Anne laughed, not loudly, but a genuine one the same "How are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Being so calm. Making jokes yet still being serious."

D'Artagnan thought on his next words carefully "What would be the point in losing my temper? This has already happened, Anne, there's nothing I can do to change that."

"Still..." She mumbled uncertainly, rather unlike her usual powerful nature "I expected...anger, incredulity, surprise. You act like you've know for months."

He thought carefully for a moment "Perhaps I have..."

Anne apparently knew not to push further, seeing that d'Artagnan was rather uncertain about the statement before taking a quick sobering breath. The noise pulled him from his abstract thoughts and d'Artagnan straightened uncomfortably in his seat.

"You do realise we may still be caught."

Her eyes widened at the choice of pronoun before she covered her surprise with a nod "Yes."

"I mean, no offence to Louis or anything, but he isn't the most attractive man in France." D'Artagnan sighed deeply and leant back in his seat in an oddly relaxed posture considering their situation "Theres a reason why so many women sleep with Aram-"

The Queen coughed lightly to interrupt and his eyes sparkled as he winced.

"Sorry."

"I didn't sleep with him for his looks."

He raised an eyebrow doubtfully

"They did play a part though."

Rather artfully, he dodged the fiery glare Anne threw his way and continued.

"Aramis is good-looking...like ridiculously, painfully good-looking. The worst thing about him is probably that he knows it. He turns wooing into an art form..." D'Artagnan flushed in mortification at what he was saying before abruptly moving on as he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat "Anyway, I think people would notice the difference. Aramis has a rather dark skin tone to Louis, plus you can't really deny those curly brown locks."

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Anne couldn't help but tease, feeling calmer than she had in months as a small smirk spread across her delicate lips.

"No!" D'Artagnan pulled an undignified face "Don't even joke about that! He's like my brother, we spend every day together. Plus, you are the one who...you know..."

Anne's look was deadly "Just say it...I dare you."

"Alright, alright, I'll stop!" D'Artagnan acquiesced quickly, unwilling to face her wrath "But my point still stands."

The pregnant woman rolled her eyes at his playful antics before becoming serious and seeing her mood reflect upon him immediately.

"What do I do, d'Artagnan? If the baby...if someone can tell..."

D'Artagnan leaned forward with a reassuring smile "We'll plan for it, Anne. I'll make sure you and the baby make it out of France...whatever the cost."

"I cannot ask so much of you!"

"You're not," d'Artagnan chuckled softly, eyes alight with determination and fondness "I am the baby's godfather and it's father is like a brother to me."

"But your life here! Constance, the Musketeers, even Louis! If anyone found out you could lose everything-"

"It's a risk I am willing to take." D'Artagnan's interruption was calm and collected, but his tone was filled with sincerity.

They sat in blissful silence for a few still moments, content in each other's company, words and emotions satiably bared. Finally d'Artagnan turned to Anne.

"I just have one question."

The Queen automatically sat straighter to show her willingness "Ask whatever you please."

"When you said Athos knew..."

"Yes...?"

"Well, you specifically said he was there. He wasn't *there* there, was he?"

"D'Artagnan!" Anne shrieked scandalised and batted his arm hard so that he pulled away laughing "What in the lord's name is wrong with you?! No! Of course not!"

They young man seemed to have stopped listening, leaning back in his chair in fits of laughter-so far that it tipped and he almost fell off, which only made him laugh harder-arms around his stomach as his body shook and tears trickled from the corner of his eyes.

Eventually Anne could fight the urge no longer, giggling slightly less unabashedly as her annoyance swayed to amusement at her friend's reaction.

"O-okay!" D'Artgnan wiped away the tears breathlessly as he forcibly stopped laughing "O-okay, now m-my tummy hurts...I-I think I'm done...that was just..."

He burst into some hysterical giggles again. Anne rolled her eyes exasperatedly and clucked her tongue.

"I don't think it would be particularly impressive if one of the King's Musketeers died of laughter."

D'Artagnan's eyes were sparkling with merriment "I'm s-sorry. I couldn't help myself,

Annie."

"Don't call me that!" She scowled "I am still the Queen of France you know. I could have you public ally flogged."

D'Artagnan grinned "I love you too, Annie."

Anne sighed and shook her head in fond irritation, placing her head in her hands.

"Will you ever change?"

"Nah," d'Artagnan replied easily, sitting back to prop his feet on the table "I'm your annoying kid brother, it's my job to make your life a living misery. I do the same thing to Athos and Porthos...less 'Mis, we usually team up to make double the trouble but you already about Aramis' skill-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence."

"I was just going to say you know how much he likes to cause trouble! Get your head out of the gutter, Anne, you are the Queen of France after all."

"Don't be cheeky." She reprimanded lightly, struggling to keep the corners of her mouth from twitching upwards.

D'Artagnan smiled wolfishly "But it's one of my many charms."

Anne sighed once more-all too aware of how much she had done so in the last couple of minutes-and looked up into the shadowy canopy above them to see the faint twinkling of stars in the darkening sky.

"We should go, my doctors will be getting worried."

D'Artagnan nodded in agreement, moving round as she stood and he pulled her chair back so she could step away. He did a low, patronisingly exaggerated bow with a boyish smirk plastered on his face before offering his arm.

"Will you walk with me, milady?"Anne only raised an unimpressed eyebrow before sliding her arm into the crook of his elbow as they began a leisurely pace back through the gardens.

"How can you just worm your way into everyone's hearts?"

D'Artagnan looked at her sharply before he shrugged nonchalantly"It's a gift. Pure adorable-ness."

"If only trouble seemed to think so."

"Yes, well I can't be perfect."

Anne smiled despite herself before sobering, eyes watching the paved stones beneath their feet as she squeezed her arm so he was pulled closer for a moment.

"Thank you, Charlie. For everything. I don't think I could've gotten through the last couple of months without you."

A smile ghosted d'Artagnan's lips as his head dipped for a moment before rising to the horizon where the sun had just dipped below the dark line "I'm here for you, Anne. We're family. Always will be."

"Thank you, little brother."

"My pleasure, Annie."

"I told you not to call me that."