Love and Strife

This is a story about the lives of our favourite musketeers and those they love. Also, what happens to bring them all back together in Paris. It starts 2 months after the series finale.

Chapter 1

In a tent in the French camp of a battlefield far from Paris, Porthos is pouring over a map of the region, thinking about tactics when Brujon enters with a letter.

"A letter from your wife Admiral"

"Thank you Brujon, now go find Lt Dupond, I need to speak with him"

"As you wish"

Brujon then left the room and Porthos read the letter:

Dear Porthos

As I write this, our daughter is lying asleep next to me, she looks so peaceful and I cannot wait for you to see her like this again, it makes ones heart want to leap for joy. I hope that things are going well, we miss you terribly, Marie is growing by the day, I swear you won't recognise her, she's already growing out of many of her clothes. Finally, I hope that you will stay safe, I want you back with me, I love you.

Your loving wife

Élodie.

Meanwhile, at the newly rebuilt Garrison in Paris, the cadets are training, being watched by D'Artagnan when Constance comes back in from the market.

"It looks like things are going well here" says Constance

"Yes, they're not bad, how was the market?"

"Good, the new swords are in production, I got us a deal"

"Of course you did"

"I can be quite persuasive when I want to be"

"I know" replies D'Artagnan

"Now, if you excuse me, I have things to do, I shall see you later"

"Yes you will"

D'Artagnan then watches as Constance disappears through a door before turning to the cadets and saying "Tomas, watch your left flank, Pascal, change your stance".

Away from Paris, Athos is getting used to being Lord of the Manor again and is at his desk reading letters when Sylvie enters the room, a small bump beginning to show.

"How's it going in here?" she asks.

"I'd forgotten how tiring this all was, but never mind me, how are you?"

"We are fine, but, husband of mine, your presence is requested on the lawn in 30 minutes"

"Why?"

"Madame Laroche is serving tea"

"How thrilling"

"Hey, this may be old news for you, but being waited on is still a novelty for me"

"I'll be out in a moment"

"You'd better be"

Back in Paris, Queen Anne is in her chambers and saying her prayers when there is a knock on the door so she stands and bids the person to enter her room. A moment later Aramis enters the room, closing the door behind him.

"Good morning Majesty"

"Aramis"

"How are you? I heard about last night, why didn't you call for me?"

"I didn't want you worrying"

"Tell me what happened"

"I woke up last night, feeling extremely ill, so a physician was called, he confirmed something I had suspected. I'm pregnant Aramis"

"Really!"

"Yes, ….. what are we going to do?"

"Nothing we haven't done before"

"Be serious Aramis"

"I am, we are still close enough to the death of the king, I believe it will be ok"

"You do"

"I do"

"Thank you Aramis, you've always been kind to me"

"You're welcome"

"…. Now go fetch me our son, I would like to see him before his lessons begin"

"As you wish"

End of Chapter