03x06 - Death of a Hero

[bunniefuu]

Feron: The day you die is just like every other day.

You wake and dress and eat and drink.

Just like every other day.

You don't see death coming.

Or hear its approach.

Because you are too busy living.

(CONSTANCE MOANS)

Too busy enjoying your life.

Sating your appetites.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

(CLINKING)

(RATTLING)

(CROWD EXCLAIMS)

(RATTLES SOFTLY)

(g*nsh*t)

(CROWD CHEERING)

Thank you.

Feron: Rich man or beggar, it does not discriminate.

(BELL TOLLING)

Death doesn't care about fleeing your demons, or making amends for them.

It doesn't care about any of that.

It cares only that this is your time.

Your day... to die.

(FERON CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(BLOWS AIR)

And this is the Musketeers' day.

(SPITS)

(FERON SNICKERS)

No mistakes this time.

(GRUNTS AND PANTS)

Of course not.

Grimaud: By dusk, Athos and his friends... will be dead.

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(CHUCKLING)

(PANTING)

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

Next time, try not to wait until the bottle's kissing the ground before sh**ting.

(CHUCKLES)

It's not good for the nerves.

Next time, don't choose such a small pebble.

I could barely hear it.

(WHEEZES AND LAUGHS)

Here's your share.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You boys are expensive to feed.

(LAUGHS)

Especially you. Come on, give.

(MUMBLING)

Half of that.

D'Artagnan, this came earlier.

Porthos!

It's a letter from Treville.

We have to meet General Verdet's aide in Bourgogne, and escort him back to Paris. He has news from the front.

What now?

No, not now, go to sleep. The w*r will wait.

The three of us are to leave immediately.

By "immediately", I do presume you mean after breakfast?

Since I've paid for it.

d'Artagnan: I think we should wait for Athos, let him know where we are going.

Wait how long exactly?

(DOOR OPENS)

I'm going to have to start charging you lodgings. You're here so often.

Is this a complaint?

Do I look dissatisfied?

(LAUGHING) No, no.

(GRUNTS)

I will not be responsible for distracting the Captain of the Musketeers from his duties.

After all, the King and Paris depend on you.

(LAUGHING) I'll... I'll get breakfast.

(ATHOS GRUNTING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(CHILDREN LAUGHING)

I saw you... on the b*ttlefield?

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(GROANS)

(GROANING)

(GROANS)

Grimaud: Defend yourself, Captain.

Or where is the honour in k*lling you?

(GRUNTING)

(GROANING)

(CHOKING)

(g*nsh*t)

(GRIMAUD GROANING AND BREATHING HEAVILY)

(SYLVIE GASPING)

Athos!

Let me help you.

Where is Grimaud?

Dead. I sh*t him.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Show me.

He was there. I sh*t him.

He fell right there.

The others are in grave danger.

Guard: The Governor is here to see you.

I'm not receiving visitors.

You have not heard what I have come to say.

When this is over, Philippe, and justice has been served, you'll pay for how I have been treated!

I am a son of France, a prince of the blood.

And yet you lock me up here like an animal!

(CHOKING)

(FERON BREATHING HEAVILY)

It doesn't get any easier, this k*lling.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

You better swap clothes with him.

(GROANS)

Hurry.

We don't have much time.

Gaston: I take it the King doesn't know about this?

No.

You really think it's necessary to go after them?

If it's the slightest chance they are walking into a trap, yes.

Treville: What is so urgent, it couldn't...

Did you write that?

No.

I'll get the cadets ready to leave.

That message is a forgery, designed to lure Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan into an ambush.

Who did this?

Grimaud.

You saw him with Feron? Were they in deep conversation?

It certainly looked like it.

An alliance with Feron puts the Red Guard at Grimaud's disposal.

Sir?

Saddle up.

(COUGHING)

My clothes, bring me my clothes.

(LOUIS SCOFFS)

When I said ordinary, I didn't mean ugly.

We can alter them again, Your Majesty. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)

No, it's too late now, this will have to do.

Louis, why don't I accompany you?

I know how difficult today must be for you.

Anniversary of your father's death.

I've already arranged an escort. Thank you.

Now, where is my money?

d'Artagnan: Hold, hold, hold!

(HORSES GALLOPING)

Do you hear that?

How many?

Five riders.

Maybe more. Hyah!

Shh. Shh.

(HORSES APPROACHING)

(NEIGHING)

Porthos: Red Guards.

Aramis, you are to return with us to the palace.

The King commands it.

We have business, on behalf of Minister Treville.

Are you questioning a royal order?

No, believe me, if we were, we wouldn't be taking it up with the messenger boy.

(CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

If you come now, you won't be arrested.

Very well.

I'll see you back at the garrison.

Get him some food.

You'll stay here until nightfall then, we'll take you out of Paris under cover of darkness.

And please don't draw attention to yourself, hmm?

Where are you going?

I must make sure my absence has not been noted.

But I will be back.

Oh, and remember, if any of Grimaud's men ask your name, it is?

"Victor". I know.

Yes, quite right.

(CHUCKLES)

Victor! Suits you.

(EXHALES)

(CHUCKLES)

And to Victor, the spoils.

(DOOR OPENS)

(GROANING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(CONTINUES GROANING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(YELLING)

So, you're my benefactor.

You're the man behind all this.

(PANTING)

Don't worry.

There will be time to discuss how you can... (BREATHES HEAVILY) repay the debt.

(COURTIERS LAUGHING)

Louis: Do I make a good Pilgrim?

Well, Feron, am I transformed?

No garments, no matter how dreary, could disguise Your Majesty's regal bearing.

What do you think?

I think it would be safer if you were accompanied by a royal guard.

Why must you question my every decision? Why? I am angry now.

I was happy before and you have made me...

(COUGHING)

(CONTINUES COUGHING)

The Musketeer Aramis, as requested.

You are to accompany me on a pilgrimage.

A pilgrimage, Your Majesty?

Well, you are a man of God, Aramis. Or so you say.

I was once.

But now, I am just a soldier and your loyal servant.

Well, perhaps it is time we reacquainted you with your God.

Aramis: Yes, Your Majesty.

Louis: We leave within the hour.

Why would the General's aide choose to meet somewhere like this?

That's a good question.

Let's go see what's inside.

d'Artagnan: I'll wait here.

(GRUNTING)

Grimaud: Aramis is back in Paris.

What's going on?

He has been summoned back by the King.

They are going on a pilgrimage, (CHUCKLES) to the Royal Mausoleum.

What about Porthos and d'Artagnan?

Marcheaux assures me they continued with their journey.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

Perhaps it would be better to reconsider our plans.

No! It's too late for that!

How many guards are with the King?

Oh, Aramis, alone.

Then wait for them outside the Mausoleum and k*ll them both there.

(SCOFFING)

You... You mean the King as well?

(CHUCKLING) We cannot k*ll the King.

We have to. Athos saw me. There's no going back now.

My dear fellow, that would be treason and foolhardy.

Louis is already dying.

I hope you are not having doubts, Feron?

You are asking me to k*ll my own brother!

If you don't, then he will discover your betrayal and hang you.

And if he doesn't, I will hang you!

Thank you.

You will k*ll Aramis and the King.

Very well.

(LAUGHS)

Now we found a nice spot in the shade, we can wait.

Properly.

Come on, come on. That's it, good...

(WHISPERS) Please be good, please be good, please be good.

(SNIFFS)

Oh, this could turn out to be a good day after all.

I imagine the General's aide will be a little while longer yet.

(LAUGHS)

How many battles did we fight, eh?

(CHUCKLES)

Too many.

Hmm. Yeah.

We've served our country, often and well.

So if we are rewarded with the odd mission like this, I won't complain.

In that case, I'd like to propose a toast.

To easy missions, well earned.

To easy missions well earned.

Ooh.

(HORSE WHINNYING)

Porthos: What's wrong?

Wait.

(WHINNYING)

Look at the horses.

I don't see anything.

Me neither.

Did you see that?

No.

Opposite roof.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Shh!

Porthos: Not the wine, not the wine!

(g*nshots)

Well, that answers that.

How many do you reckon we got?

I'm not sure but I think we can assume it's more than two.

Porthos: Yeah.

My amm*nit*on's out there.

Yeah, mine too.

How much have you got?

Not enough.

(GRUNTS)

When you were, uh, searching before, you didn't happen to...

No. No other entrances or exits, and there's no way we're getting through these windows.

Of course not, because that would be to our advantage.

Okay.

(INHALES DEEPLY)

You had to throw it out, didn't you?

Of all the junk in here, you had to throw out the one cask of wine to be sh*t to pieces? Well done.

"Easy missions, well earned", Porthos.

(WHINNYING)

(GRUNTS)

Athos: Cadets! Time to go!

Grimaud certainly left his mark on you.

Getting caught unarmed and unawares, doesn't sound like you?

A mistake I will not make again.

We ride hard.

(CADETS URGING HORSE)

It's eight hours until dark and what is it?

Four sh*t balls left.

Eight hours, four sh*t balls, not the most encouraging number.

Besides, they're not going to let us live until dark.

(g*nsh*t)

That would just be stupid.

(g*nshots)

D'Artagnan!

(g*nsh*t)

(MAN GROANS)

Come on. Come on.

(g*nshots CONTINUE)

The last thing they're expecting is for one of us to go out that door.

(LAUGHS)

Because that would be su1c1de.

Cover me.

(GRUNTING)

Porthos: Come on, come on, come on.

d'Artagnan: Yes, yes, yes.

Porthos: Good, good. What we got? What we got? What we got?

Oh, you beauty.

(LAUGHS)

Lovely work.

(g*nshots CONTINUE)

Flush them out. Use the gunpowder.

(MAN SHOUTING ORDERS)

(VENDORS SHOUTING)

Anne: Why else would Louis choose Aramis particularly to be his personal guard?

He knows.

Constance: You don't know that for sure.

The King has hated me for five years.

I know things have been difficult between you but...

Our marriage has been for public show.

In private, he's ignored or slighted me at every turn.

You need to stay strong.

You're still the Queen of France.

Perhaps not for long.

Do you think that the King would want a scandal that could endanger the throne?

The Dauphin is his son, the King could never admit to anything else.

I had hoped that everything with Aramis was over.

Forgotten.

Is it?

I mean... Has it ever really been over, for you?

Monsieur, your generosity will not be overlooked or forgotten.

The Bible says that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.

That is true if the rich man does not repent of his sins.

But all who renounce Satan and are contrite are welcome in the house of God.

Louis: Mmm.

I will pray for your soul.

Word's spread that a man is visiting churches, handing out money and a crowd is gathering outside.

I suggest we return to the palace immediately.

Do you believe in heaven and hell?

Yes, I believe I do.

That a man will be punished for his wrongdoing, for his sins?

Yes, Your Majesty.

So do I.

I wish to visit the tomb of my father in Saint-Denis before we return to the palace.

(SNICKERING)

Ah, after all the battles I've been in, I cannot believe that this is how I'm gonna die.

Watching the last barrel of wine spill into the dirt.

I'm sorry about that, by the way.

I know.

Death is mocking me.

You know we're not going to die today.

You might want to tell them that...

I'm not ready, not here, not like this, not now.

(LAUGHS)

And I've too much left to do.

And I can't die without seeing Constance's face one last time, can I?

Or laying eyes on the children we will have together.

Seeing them play, holding them in my arms, and teaching them how to ride and sh**t and love.

No, this is not my day.

I have none of that.

No wife, no children, no one.

You have friends.

Great friends.

Mmm-hmm.

I have no doubt that one day, you will have a wife and child of your own.

Yeah.

Yeah, one day.

And I won't let anyone take that away from me.

They won't k*ll us today.

Both: We refuse to die!

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(SHOUTS)

(EXPLOSIONS IN DISTANCE)

(URGING HORSE)

Porthos! Aramis!

D'Artagnan!

(HORSE WHINNYING)

Treville: Come on. Quickly!

Dismount! Help him!

(GRUNTING)

Wait here.

I should go with you.

You should do as I say.

(DOOR OPENS)

Philippe, you remembered too.

Twenty-five years to the day since our dear father's death.

Do you remember the funeral?

The streets of Paris lined, 20 deep.

I...

I could not attend.

Bastards can be embarrassing.

You are blood.

You are my blood.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

Philippe...

You are the only one I can trust.

The only one who has not betrayed me.

(SOBBING)

Oh.

Oh, come...

(CONTINUES SOBBING)

(SNIFFLES)

I have something to show you.

Come on.

For me?

Of course.

Who'd have thought it, Philippe...

(INHALES DEEPLY)

Of all my family...

I have a great favour to ask you.

Anything.

After my death...

Many, many years from now.

I want you to be the Dauphin's familial guardian.

To protect him and educate him.

Provide him with wise counsel, so that when the time comes, he will be equipped to reign.

I will treat him, the Dauphin, as my own son.

I know you will.

(GRUNTS)

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

(GRUNTING)

(PORTHOS BREATHING SHAKILY)

(SOFTLY) Oh, please... Please.

(PORTHOS GRUNTS)

Please, d'Artagnan.

d'Artagnan: It's not our day.

(GRUNTS)

Porthos: We refuse to die!

d'Artagnan: (MUFFLED) We refuse to die!

(GRUNTING)

(GRUNTING)

You took your time. D'Artagnan...

Keep searching.

D'Artagnan!

Athos: Aramis! Aramis!

He's not here.

Athos: Huh?

He's not here, he's with the King.

From the palace.

(SIGHING)

Gaston has escaped the Bastille.

And the King and Aramis have not returned from the Mausoleum.

This is not a coincidence.

Athos: We ride for Saint-Denis.

(GRUNTS)

And I would apologise for the surroundings.

But I imagine, as a soldier and a priest, you are well acquainted with death.

More than I'd have wished.

Yes, I too am acquainted with death more than I'd have wished.

Death has a grip on me.

One I cannot break.

I am so sorry.

I don't want your sympathy. That's not why you're here.

But there is something I need from you, Aramis.

Without it, I will not find peace.

A truth I need to hear from your mouth, and don't lie.

You and my wife may think I'm a fool but I am not a fool.

I know.

Say it.

It will serve... no purpose.

You are a musketeer.

You only exist to serve my purpose.

I am ordering you!

Why dredge up the past?

Admit! Admit you slept with the Queen!

I slept with the loneliest woman in Paris.

Don't you dare make excuses!

This woman suffered years of neglect and betrayal from your part.

She endured you parading Milady de Winter through the palace.

Shaming your own wife! Humiliating her.

You swore to protect me!

I am protecting you!

I am protecting you.

No longer.

No, what you have done is treason and for that, you will hang.

Get out.

Feron: I fear we are making a very grave mistake.

Gaston is not a man we can rely on.

But the King, Louis, I have his ear.

He has entrusted me with guardianship of the Dauphin.

You haven't k*lled him?

(SCOFFS)

No.

I have enjoyed our partnership, Lucien.

But if there is a choice, who I must betray between you and the King, well... (CHUCKLES) well, I choose you.

Do you realise what you're saying?

Oh, yes.

Today... is my day.

(Kn*fe STABS)

(GRUNTING)

(Kn*fe RETRACTS AND STABS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(GROANING)

(YELLS)

Don't worry about your beloved brother.

I suspect you will be seeing him very soon indeed.

(GRUNTING AND PANTING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(GRUNTING)

(g*nsh*t ECHOING)

(ECHOING CONTINUES)

(GROANS)

(MEN SHOUT)

(g*nshots)

Give me a p*stol.

Get back inside! And lock the door.

What, are you afraid I'll sh**t you?

I have lived my whole life in fear of death.

I am dying anyway, what do I have to lose?

(g*nshots CONTINUE)

They're spreading out.

They want to come from all sides.

Then we better start sh**ting.

Wait.

Hold...

Now!

(GROANS)

Ha!

(HORSES APPROACHING)

(CADETS SHOUTING)

(SWORDS CLANKING)

Treville: Aramis!

(GRUNTS)

(g*nsh*t)

Let's move!

(MEN SHOUTING)

Treville: Take the King back to the palace.

We'll cover you.

(g*nshots CONTINUE)

On me!

(URGING HORSE)

(URGING HORSE)

(SWORDS CLANKING)

(SCREAMS)

Louis: Stop!

Philippe!

Aramis: Your Majesty.

(PANTING)

We need to move!

Why?

Your Majesty.

(SIGHS)

(SWORDS CLANKING)

(GRUNTING)

(SCREAMS)

Athos: Grimaud!

(g*nsh*t)

(GRUNTS)

(HORSES NEIGHING)

(GRIMAUD GROANS)

(PANTING)

It was Philippe who fired the sh*t to warn us.

He was a hero and a patriot.

A true son of France.

(SIGHS)

You will have no contact with the Queen or the Dauphin.

He is my son. Not yours.

When he's frightened or he falls, it is me he seeks.

When he hears "Papa", it is my face he sees, not yours.

And I will see to it that you play no part in his life.

Even when I'm dead, you will not see him.

I will make sure of that.

Those not k*lled have fled, Your Majesty, including their leader, Lucien Grimaud.

I want him hunted down.

Governor Feron?

He d*ed saving my life.

He will have a full state funeral. Nothing spared.

Cover him, please.

I will not have him be a spectacle.

(SIGHS)

We're leaving. Saddle up.

(GROANS IN PAIN)

(EXHALES)

Feron is dead.

Feron was a liability.

It was you?

I... I took no pleasure in it.

(g*n COCKS)

But you did it, all the same.

He would have got us all caught and hung.

You too.

He said he would betray us, before the King.

If you're unhappy, then go.

But nothing's changed.

In a few months, Louis will be dead and I'll return to Paris with Gaston at the head of an army.

He will be the next King of France.

I will have my men clear this area so that you can leave unnoticed.

(CHUCKLES)

(SIGHS)

No, Gaston couldn't have escaped the Bastille, not without help.

Grimaud.

What does Grimaud want with Gaston?

The King... is dying.

d'Artagnan: What?

He told me today he's dying.

He has... months to live.

(SIGHS)

Athos: You knew?

When were you going to tell me?

When you needed to know.

Athos: I would have put Gaston under heavier guard.

Now he's in the hands of Grimaud, primed to seize power the moment Louis dies.

(DOOR OPENS)

(BELLS TOLLING IN THE DISTANCE)

Sylvie: Why does it have to be a choice, me or France?

Aren't you entitled to be happy like every other man?

I am a Musketeer.

My duty is to the King and to France.

I'm not asking you to betray your country.

Well, that's exactly what I would be doing.

Forces are gathering that pose a grave thr*at.

They must be defeated, I cannot compromise that.

(SIGHS)

(ANNE GASPS)

I was afraid you hadn't got my message.

He knows.

He wanted me to admit that I'd slept with you.

(SIGHS)

The King will banish me. (GASPING)

He'll take my son away from me.

I don't believe he intends to punish you...

You don't know how things have been between us.

No. But I do know how men behave when they are facing death.

He... (GASPS)

(WHISPERS) He is dying?

(SOBBING)

He hadn't told you?

(CONTINUES SOBBING)

You cannot afford weakness now.

You are a Spanish Queen in a French Court.

Your enemies will plot against you.

Prepare for it.

You must be equal to their challenge, for the sake of your son, for France.

You're not alone.

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)