Bitter Memories ~The Musketeers fanfic~

 She was running through the woods, fearing for her life. She didn’t remember her name, where she lived, from what, or who, she ran away. She had woken up in the middle of nowhere, lying in the snow, with the feeling that she should run. She couldn’t see nor hear anything behind her, but she was sure she wasn’t safe yet. Whatever that was following had to be horrible, for she would rather die there than being caught. She finally reached the end of the wood, when strength left her body and she fell to the ground, unconscious.

 //

 Athos and his three loyal friends were in the château of the Count de la Fère. Furniture was burnt because of the fire Milady had set the house in months ago. At least the walls were still standing and they could spend some days there.

 Two days after they arrived, Athos was looking out of the window when he saw something lying in the snow. It looked like a woman surrounded by blood, so he ran out of the house to save her before the cold killed her.

//

 She woke up in a warm bed, feeling dizzy. She couldn’t remember how she got there; in her mind there was only snow, fear and running. Outside of the room she could hear voices approaching, so she closed her eyes again. The door opened and two men entered the room. She felt one of them moving towards the bed.

 -Hasn’t she woken up yet?

 The one next to her turned and walked back to the other.

 -No, she has been asleep two days.

  She couldn’t wait more and asked: -Who are you?

 Both turned to her, surprised.

 -Good morning mademoiselle, we are Aramis and Porthos of the King’s Musketeers –the shortest one answered.

 -And why did you take me here?

 -Our friend Athos found you lying unconscious in the snow. If he hadn’t taken you here, you would have bled to death because of the wound in your arm.

 Until he said it, she hadn’t felt the pain in her right arm. She looked and it and saw it wrapped in bloody bandages.

 -May I asked your name? –Aramis asked after a moment of silence.

 -I... I can’t remember.

 -Oh, that’s... disturbing. I suppose you don't remember why were you wandering in the woods?

 She shook her head.

 -I want to meet that man, Athos –she said while she was trying to get up.

 Her head was spinning so she stumbled when she got to her feet. Aramis jumped next to her,

 -Don’t worry, I’m fine.

 -I don’t think so. I’ll take you to the room where your saviour is.

 Aramis and Porthos led her to a room where she met a young man and another older. The latter’s face was familiar to her, she was sure she had seen him before; perhaps in a dream? Because he was the kind of man she would dream of as her Prince Charming. The youngest took a step closer to her and introduced him as d’Artagnan, another musketeer. So the other had to be her saviour.

 -Thank you –she said when he got close to her-. For saving my life.

 He nodded and smiled, then asked: -Are you alright?

 -She can’t remember anything –Porthos intervened.

 -Anything? Not even your name?

//

 A day in the house passed. Traces of memories were coming to her mind. The first thing she remembered was that her 24^th birthday was a month ago. Then, her mother’s face. And when she woke up next morning, she finally remembered her name.

 -Good morning mademoiselle –Aramis greeted her when she entered the room where the four men were.

 -Please, call me Caitlyn –she said proud of knowing it.

 -Finally you remember it! That’s fantastic! –Porthos said and laughed.

 -We are returning to Paris this afternoon –Athos interrupted.

//

 Caitlyn was staying at Bonacieux' house, thanks to d'Artagnan and Constance, his lover.

 And so a week passed. Every morning Athos came and asked her if she could remember anything else, and then they went to the Musketeers garrison. There they spent the day, Caitlyn watching them training and talking to them, and when she was left alone with Aramis he teased her about the unusually attentions a certain musketeer had with her, making her blush.

 Her memories were returning quickly, and as they did, she understood she would be happier hiding them from Athos. How could she tell him she had run from an abusive fiancé? He would return her to her family, because it was his duty, and the freedom she was having that week would end forever. The love she was feeling for Athos would be a exciting memory.

//

 Treville had summoned her musketeer friends in the palace that morning and she was going with them. Athos passed to accompany her to the market, where they would met Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan.

 He didn't say the words, but his eyes asked her the same question of every morning.

 -I live in Winchester. My father is an English nobleman, but my mother is French.

 -Nothing else?-he asked after a moment of silent.

 She shook her head and walked to the street, knowing he would follow her.

 They arrived before the other three. Neither Athos nor Caitlyn knew how to start a conversation, so they just stayed in silence, waiting. Caitlyn finally got the courage to talk to him but Athos cut her off saying he'd be back in a minute and walked away. She soon saw who had made him go. He was talking to a woman who was giving her her back. He looked annoyed, but what she could see in his eyes from the distance made her heart break a bit. He look at the lady with a mix of hatred, melancholy and, most painful of all, love. Stupid girl, she had thought he could love her, some day. Athos, the musketeer with a tragic past, loving a lost girl? How could she had even dreamt about it? Aramis hadn't help, though. Saying that Athos' caring way to act with her meant that he felt something for her had give her hopes. Her thoughts were interrupted Porthos and d'Artagnan voices. They were wondering what the reason why Treville had summoned them could be, and asked Caitlyn for her opinion.

 -I have no idea. Sorry guys, I've just remember I have something to do.

 And with that, she left the market, leaving the three musketeers surprised by her sudden change of mind.

 When she finally made to her room, she let tears run out. She cried until she had no tears left in her eyes. Then she decided to pack up the few things she had with her: it was time to leave.

//

 She wasn't sure, but she imagined the reason why her musketeer friends had gone to palace. It didn't really surprise her. What surprised her was how long had it taken to her betrothed or father to tell the king and ask him for help.

 They arrived when she was going down the stairs of Bonacieux' house.

 -Caitlyn! Where are you going? -was Aramis question-. There's something important we have to tell you.

 -I'm leaving.

 None of them said anything. Only Athos, when she stopped in front of him, whispered:

 -How long have you know?

 -I remembered it last night.

 She couldn't look him while she was saying it; instead, she looked to the floor. When she finally had the courage to look him in the eyes, she could see there the hurt her treason had caused him. Her heart broke, it was falling into pieces, but he couldn't cry. Don't let him see you cry.

 -Goodbye Athos.

                   Screenshot by @its.all.for.one IG