28Well, it's here...the final chapter. I apologize for the wait. I was on vacation for two weeks and this first week back has been spent catching up. This is a short chapter, just a nice little bit to close out this little journey for d'Artagnan and the Inseperables (and of course, Marie and little Yvette). I hope you enjoy :)
Chapter 6
Three Days Later
"But I don't want you to leave," a tearful Yvette cried to the kneeling musketeer in front of her. "You still suffer from your shoulder…it would not do it any good to travel such a distance yet!"
d'Artagnan smiled as he wiped a tear from Yvette's cheek. "I am a King's musketeer, Yvette…I must return to Paris. We all must," he consoled, the small girl's hands held gently in his own.
"Surely the King wouldn't want his best musketeer to injure himself further by leaving too soon," Yvette cried indignantly. She fixed Porthos with a blistering glare when the large man chuckled at her words. He held his hands out in a placating manner and managed to hide his smirk at the fierce, yet adorable look the girl was sending his way.
d'Artagnan held in his own chuckle, then turned serious again when Yvette turned his way. "Of course the King wouldn't want his best musketeer to injure himself further…that is why we waited until Aramis gave the okay for me to travel," he explained.
Yvette stomped her foot once as she glanced over at the fidgeting medic. "I don't think that Aramis knows what he is talking about, if you ask me. He has given in to your badgering way too easily!"
"If I may…" Aramis began before he was silenced with one raised hand from the Gascon.
"Aramis is a very good medic and despite my badgering, he would never let me travel before he felt I was ready. We will travel only as far as my pain will allow and, on my honor, I swear that I will let Aramis know as soon as the pain becomes too much," d'Artagnan said. "I will be fine, Yvette. I promise."
Yvette held the Gascon's gaze, her lower lip sticking out in an adorable pout that made the musketeer want to pull her into his arms. "Surely you can stay a few more days," she whispered sadly, her shoulders sagging in resignation when d'Artagnan shook his head.
"I'm sorry, sweet Yvette…we must get the information that we found out from the villagers to the palace. We were incredibly lucky that a few of them recognized the men who attacked us and gave us the name of the man they worked for. The King must be told as soon as possible," d'Artagnan explained.
"Couldn't Athos and Porthos ride out ahead and then you and Aramis follow in two or three days?" Yvette queried softly.
"Yvette, you must stop this. They must go, my sweet girl," Marie said from where she stood next to a silent Athos.
"But mama!" Yvette cried.
"I would like nothing more than to stay a while longer, but we cannot split up. We are more vulnerable with fewer numbers. We must travel together and we must leave today," d'Artagnan said as he pulled the miserable girl into his arms. "I'm going to miss you terribly, Yvette," he added as he pulled out of the hug. "I promise that I will be back to see you. Our missions take us this way sometimes and I will make a point to stop for a visit."
"Really?"
"Yes, really," d'Artagnan said with a wide smile. "Now, I'm sorry, but we must go."
Yvette nodded before throwing her arms around d'Artagnan's neck and hugging him tightly. "I'll miss you. Don't wait too long to come back for a visit," she whispered. She pulled back and placed a soft kiss on the Gascon's cheek before stepping back.
"I won't," d'Artagnan said as he pushed to his feet. He turned to Marie and smiled as she stepped up to him.
"I will miss you as well, d'Artagnan. Please be careful, and take care of yourself," Marie said as she gave the musketeer a tight hug.
"I will. I promise," d'Artagnan said. "Thank you for everything, Marie. I can never repay you for your kindness."
"Just get to Paris safely and return when you can," Marie said with a smile.
"I can do that," d'Artagnan said. He gave Yvette another hug before moving back to allow his friends to say their goodbyes. All three of the remaining musketeers offered their heartfelt thanks to both Marie and Yvette for taking such good care of their youngest and all three promised they would bring him back for a visit as soon as they possibly could. More tears were shed as the four musketeers mounted their horses, and with a long wave goodbye, they rode out of sight. Marie gathered up her daughter in her arms and took the softly crying girl into the cottage. She set Yvette down in front of the fireplace then cocked her head when she saw something small and white sitting on the hearth. She walked over and ran her fingers over a lovely embroidered handkerchief that she had never seen before. Beside the handkerchief was a messily scrawled note. She picked it up and read it, then smiled.
"Yvette, d'Artagnan has left his promise that he will return. Come and see," Marie called. The girl stood up from the stool she'd been sitting on and came to stand beside her mother.
"What is it, mama?" she asked.
"I'll read it to you," Marie replied.
My dearest Marie and Yvette. I will never be able to thank you enough for what you have done for me. As a token of my sincerest gratitude, and a promise of many visits in the future, please accept this small gift. This handkerchief belonged to my mother. It was her favorite and I have carried it with me since her death. To never hold it in my hands again would be torture to me, so you see, I must return. Not that I need my mother's handkerchief to visit as it would also be torture to never see either of you again. Yvette, I am entrusting you to take care of this piece of my mother. Keep it safe. I love you both so very much. Until we see each other again ~ d'Artagnan
"He wants me to take care of it, Mama," Yvette whispered as she carefully lifted the handkerchief up and admired the intricate needlework.
"That shows how much he trusts you. You must find a safe place for it," Marie said with a smile.
"Oh, I will, Mama! I will take the best care of it! d'Artagnan will be so proud!" Yvette exclaimed.
"Yes he will be," Marie agreed. She smiled widely when Yvette scampered away, obviously on a search for the perfect place for the precious gift. She looked around her home and sighed. It seemed a bit hollow now without d'Artagnan there. Their lives had been enriched with his presence and it wouldn't be the same without him there, but she knew that he was where he needed to be…with his brothers, serving his King with honor and loyalty. She would wait with as much anticipation as her daughter for the day when he would appear at their door. Until then, she had lunch to prepare.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
d'Artagnan smiled as the day wore on. He was finally on his way home, his brothers on either side of him, alive and well. His shoulder ached, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. The pain in his heart was a little bit harder to ignore, but he knew that someday he would see his new "family" again. His smile faded somewhat when he remembered the miserable look on Yvette's face when they had left. She was young and just didn't understand why he couldn't stay. He hoped that his small gift would give her hope that he wasn't saying goodbye…only farewell, until they could see each other again. He sighed as the sting of separation hit him. He had no idea when he would see Marie and Yvette again and the idea of it hurt more than he thought it would. He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of a deep, throaty laugh. He glanced over at Porthos and wondered at what conversation he missed in his brooding that would pull such a laugh from his friend. He shook his head and smiled as he thought that it didn't really matter. Just the sound of it was perfect. They were back together, as it should be, a little worse for wear, but intact and happy. It had been a long, hard journey of fear, pain, grief, and finally, joy at being reunited with his brothers. He was where he was meant to be and it would take more than a few hired thugs to destroy the unbreakable bond he shared with these three men whom he called brothers. d'Artagnan raised his face to the sun, closed his eyes and breathed in a deep breath. He was finally home, for home really was wherever his friends were, and he would fight anyone who tried to take that from him again.
The End
That's it. Thank you to all who took the time to leave me comments...I so enjoy reading them. Until next time!
Cindy :)
