He very quickly is, however, when his little device starts beeping and startles him right out of bed. For a moment he stares at it like he’s ready to attack it. This is what happens to a man unused to alarm clocks.
When his senses return, he finally grabs the device. He will never get used to these little things. ]
Oh, all right. He can breathe again, and also stop trying to fasten his sword belt one-handed. He lets it drop back to the floor and falls back into bed, with the device raised to his ear.
That’s a strange request, but if it’s what she wants, he can certainly oblige. He runs a hand over his face and feels glad she can’t see how unkempt he looks. ]
Of course. It’s not a very interesting story, I’m afraid. I grew up on my father’s farm, in Lupiac in Gascony. It was a place full of fields and plants. We had horses, and sheep. It was quiet. Too quiet for my liking.
[A pause, and then a small laugh. Queens don't usually do it where she's from, either.]
My first guard, when I was very small, I think he wearied himself of being so tied to a child. I would not let him be until he taught me weaponcraft; a bow, first, something that would not have me seeing battle so close, and a sword later.
Narnia is oft at war, and I do not like to feel useless.
[She wants to say yes; she wants so dress and have him close, but she does not think he would be comfortable with the familiarity she would crave; to hold her close and keep off the sharp pain that is missing Narnia and Cair Paravel and her family. Especially Peter.]
Oh, I know you would. You are the best kind of man.
But a voice in the dark, it is a great balm to my heart.
I think-
Do you really mean to guard me, then, as if you were mine and in my employ?
[Said with a possible idea at the end of this sentence.]
[ That’s a difficult question. D’Artagnan is a Musketeer, and will always be a Musketeer. His service is to the King of France, alone.
But he is here, far from home. He must ask himself what might be expected of him were he sent here by design, since with no way to go home, all that is left to him is to serve his King’s ideals as best he can. Were Queen Lucy a visitor to France, he knows he would be expected to keep her safe.
Would Louis approve of him helping her here? He thinks so, hopes so. Certainly, he feels better doing it than standing idle when she is here without her own Guard, and without her family. ]
I cannot be in your employ, Queen Lucy, as I am still a Musketeer. Until I die or am discharged, I will remain one. But I believe my King would want me to do what is right, and honourable, in this city, even if he is not here to command it. I mean to guard you for as long as I’m able.
[ He could give no stronger commitment than that. He hopes it is enough. ]
[She doesn't say anything, at first. She is silent and still, and thinking. The quiet goes another momenr, but before she thinks he can worry for her, she speaks again.]
I am very jealous of your king, to have the loyalty of such a righteous man.
[ He hopes Louis would feel the same way. With as jealous as the King can be, one never knows. But in his heart, d'Artagnan believes that Louis is a good man - even if he does not always show it. He would not be against this, surely. ]
You need not be jealous. I am loyal also to my friends, to my brothers, and I have given you my word. You can rely on me, I swear it.
And I would not see you alone. If it pleases you, will you tell me more of your Narnia? I would like to hear it.
It is very green. There are several rivers, and it spans great wide forests and countryside that has been tamed alike, but we are not known for having a great many cities. There are mostly villages, towns, and small places where people gather. It is a very small kingdom but rich in resources; oh! and there are the Lone Islands, which are out and to the east.
The people are hard working, and kindly, I think - and they speak very plainly when they feel mistreated, and so Edmund is able to keep justice. We all, we all serve in different ways, you see. Peter governs mostly, and is the utmost leader in war and crisis, Susan keeps the castle and the art, and Edmund deals quite firmly with the courts.
[ That's how it sounds, anyway. He sounds thoughtful. ]
France has only one King, my lady, but the Court supports him, and advises in all the matters you mention. And of course, there is the First Minister.
[ For the first time, d'Artagnan finds himself approving of the man in that position. It's a strange thought.</small. ]
But I note you didn't tell me of your own position, Queen Lucy. What is your role among your family?
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voice;
She can't sleep, she misses her family and her life.
She does not have the comfortable trappings of her world with her, and Athos and d'Artagnan are as close as it is, in their home a few houses away.]
d'Artagnan? Sir? Are you awake?
[Her voice is a very quiet kind of whisper.]
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He very quickly is, however, when his little device starts beeping and startles him right out of bed. For a moment he stares at it like he’s ready to attack it. This is what happens to a man unused to alarm clocks.
When his senses return, he finally grabs the device. He will never get used to these little things. ]
My lady Lucy. Yes, I’m here. Am I needed?
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[She pauses a long moment, unsure of what to say. She's in bed, she should feel indecent, but he cannot see her, can he?]
Would you tell me of the place you grew up?
[An odd request, but she wants to reach out to someone, to not feel so terribly alone.]
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Oh, all right. He can breathe again, and also stop trying to fasten his sword belt one-handed. He lets it drop back to the floor and falls back into bed, with the device raised to his ear.
That’s a strange request, but if it’s what she wants, he can certainly oblige. He runs a hand over his face and feels glad she can’t see how unkempt he looks. ]
Of course. It’s not a very interesting story, I’m afraid. I grew up on my father’s farm, in Lupiac in Gascony. It was a place full of fields and plants. We had horses, and sheep. It was quiet. Too quiet for my liking.
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Did you long for war? Susan is oft heard saying that all young men seek war or love, when she would have them seek peace or solitude.
[Her voice is a little bit louder, now. Sometimes the solution to fierce loneliness is a voice in the dark.]
She says it most often when I refuse to put down the sword.
[Susan should learn that Lucy thinks nothing of being compared to a boy.]
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No, not as such. But that's a complicated question. He leans his head back. ]
I longed for the chance to prove myself. To fight, yes, but to fight for honour. To do my duty, serve my King.
[ He smiles at the thought of Lucy fighting. Queens don't do that where he is from.
But Constance had. She had, because he'd taught her, despite worrying about her safety every time she lifted it. She'd fought alongside them. ]
Who taught you to fight, my Lady?
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[A pause, and then a small laugh. Queens don't usually do it where she's from, either.]
My first guard, when I was very small, I think he wearied himself of being so tied to a child. I would not let him be until he taught me weaponcraft; a bow, first, something that would not have me seeing battle so close, and a sword later.
Narnia is oft at war, and I do not like to feel useless.
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[ A pause, then. ]
But I still prove myself, every day. I have to.
You, on the other hand, are a Queen, my Lady. What if you were wounded in battle? It would be my duty to keep my King safe from that, in France.
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[She makes a very small noise; it's hard to tell what it is.]
I have my guardsmen; they would not see me injured.
[But she has been, in the past.]
I would not like to see them injured, either. But such things cannot be helped.
Would you honestly take your sword up against me in mock combat? I would like to not lose my skills.
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He feels the same wary indecision as he had when Constance had asked. But I can protect you, he wants to say.
He knows that attitude will fly about as well with Lucy as it would have with Constance. ]
I would, if that is what you'd like. We can help to keep each other sharp. And you are right, your guardsmen would not like to see you injured.
I would not like to see it.
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And loneliness.
And that is a greater care of my royal personage, I think.
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Then I will do my best. I don't want you to be lonely, my lady.
I know the hour is late, but if you wished to see me before you, I would come right away. On my honour.
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Oh, I know you would. You are the best kind of man.
But a voice in the dark, it is a great balm to my heart.
I think-
Do you really mean to guard me, then, as if you were mine and in my employ?
[Said with a possible idea at the end of this sentence.]
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But he is here, far from home. He must ask himself what might be expected of him were he sent here by design, since with no way to go home, all that is left to him is to serve his King’s ideals as best he can. Were Queen Lucy a visitor to France, he knows he would be expected to keep her safe.
Would Louis approve of him helping her here? He thinks so, hopes so. Certainly, he feels better doing it than standing idle when she is here without her own Guard, and without her family. ]
I cannot be in your employ, Queen Lucy, as I am still a Musketeer. Until I die or am discharged, I will remain one. But I believe my King would want me to do what is right, and honourable, in this city, even if he is not here to command it. I mean to guard you for as long as I’m able.
[ He could give no stronger commitment than that. He hopes it is enough. ]
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I am very jealous of your king, to have the loyalty of such a righteous man.
Thank you.
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You need not be jealous. I am loyal also to my friends, to my brothers, and I have given you my word. You can rely on me, I swear it.
And I would not see you alone. If it pleases you, will you tell me more of your Narnia? I would like to hear it.
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[She says it quietly, thinking-]
It is very green. There are several rivers, and it spans great wide forests and countryside that has been tamed alike, but we are not known for having a great many cities. There are mostly villages, towns, and small places where people gather. It is a very small kingdom but rich in resources; oh! and there are the Lone Islands, which are out and to the east.
The people are hard working, and kindly, I think - and they speak very plainly when they feel mistreated, and so Edmund is able to keep justice. We all, we all serve in different ways, you see. Peter governs mostly, and is the utmost leader in war and crisis, Susan keeps the castle and the art, and Edmund deals quite firmly with the courts.
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[ That's how it sounds, anyway. He sounds thoughtful. ]
France has only one King, my lady, but the Court supports him, and advises in all the matters you mention. And of course, there is the First Minister.
[ For the first time, d'Artagnan finds himself approving of the man in that position. It's a strange thought.</small. ] But I note you didn't tell me of your own position, Queen Lucy. What is your role among your family?
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[She makes a very small noise-]
I am the youngest, don't you think that's work enough?
[She laughs a little-]
I am the people's queen, is what is said about me.
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There are worse things to be. Worse than being youngest, too. I am, among the Musketeers.
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[She's teasing a little.]
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I'm not sure Aramis could forgive me for claiming that crown. He'd take offence all the way from Paris.
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[She's still teasing, playing. This is better than loneliness.]
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So you may have missed your chance. [ Which is unfortunately since, being a Queen, she's certainly his type. ] My apologies, my Lady.
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