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This is bad.
Treville thought as he looked down to his now very fluffy arms, and paws.
This is very bad.
He looked to the laughter and curses above him.
“Aramis stop laughing! Captain are you alright … can you, understand me?”
Treville looked up at Athos, he looked odd, as did the world around him. Everything was duller? There was still colour, but less of it. The trees above him had lost their vibrant spring green, but could he smell them? He could smell so many things, it was incredible, but very overwhelming.
“Captain, can you understand us?”
d’Artagnan repeated, Treville looked at him, and nodded his head.
“God, that’s terrifying.”
Yelled Aramis between fits of laughter, Porthos hit him over the head.
“Aramis, this our captain, no matter how fluffy he now is, we can’t forget that.”
Said Porthos, laughing. Treville glared daggers if it were possible with his current range of expressions. Wiping a tear from his eye Porthos continued, “We should probably do something though.”
“Yes, you should!”
Treville was startled, as instead of words came barks. Damn. “Alright captain, calm down.” d’Artagnan stopped, looking quite embarrassed “Sorry,” Better be, thought Treville with a growl. “Any idea how this happened?” questioned Athos his tone its usual grimness, but with the undertones of concern. Treville stared at him. “I bet he ate some bad bread.” Aramis suggested, humor painted over his face. “No, I bet it was a brandy with the warning of furry side effects.” Put in d’Artagnan, the nerve Treville growled once again, a deep rumbling in his throat, Porthos stepped in. “Alright, easy captain, but honestly what kind of question is that Athos?” “I was merely exploring all the possibilities.” Athos grumbled.
“We should probably return to the palace.” d’Artagnan said turning back to the large building in question, good thing they hadn’t been on the horses when this happened. Thought Treville. “And what? Present them with a dog we claim to be is the captain? I’m sure they’ll believe us and definitely not put us in the bastille.” Aramis responded, “I’m sure the cardinal would love that.” Grumbled Athos. “As insane as it sounds, I’m with d’Artagnan.” Porthos said to the surprise of the other two Musketeers. It’s settled then, thought Treville who started padding back down the gravely surface. “Aha! The captain agrees with us, it is decided.” d’Artagnan smiled at Aramis and Athos.
“Fine.”
…
No, no, no.
This, was not possible. Richelieu thought as he stared at himself in the reflection of the spilt water, a very shocked cat looked back at him.
“Your eminence, sir, are you alright?”
Richelieu considered the question, then turned to consider the red guard that had asked it.
“What do you think?!”
That was odd, his voice came out a hiss, and was his hair, fur? Standing up. Oh god, this was actually happening. Richelieu stopped and tried to wrap his brain around the situation he was now facing. How on Earth was he to continue being the first minister of France, a Cardinal if he could not speak and was only slightly bigger than a melon.
“We, should return to the king, right?”
“What! And have him cut off our heads?”
“He wouldn’t do that would he?”
“So, you want to tell him the cardinal has been turned into a cat?”
The conversation was background noise to Richelieu, the noise bounding off the large empty space of his quarters. He was coming to terms with what was now his reality. No. He would not stay like this, he would find out how to fix this, then he would gravely punish whoever was responsible. But first he would need to go to the king, then, well he would go from there. He thought determinedly as he leaped over the spilt glass and bounded out of his office.
“Wait! Sir.”
…
“What in god’s name?”
The king stared down at him, his eyes squinting, and his brow furrowing. Here we go, Richelieu thought sit still, look him in the eye, act as human as possible, and hope to god something clicks. The sound of quick footfall came from behind him, “What is the meaning of this?” The king demanded, “Your majesty,” Richelieu assumed they were bowing, “This is difficult to explain, but the cardinal has turned into a cat.” “What? What kind of fool do you take me for?” The kings raised his voice, it echoed of the high ceilings of the throne room, “No we would never think you a fool.” The Guard stammered back, “Well your actions seem to deem - now what.” The sound of more footfall as well as a distinct clicking sound, almost like claws on a hard smooth surface, no that is definitely what the sound was. It was a dog; he could smell it. He turned and saw a brown mutt trotting towards him, it looked oddly familiar, and looking past it there where those four troublesome musketeers.
The dog was towering over him, sniffing him, but not in the overenthusiastic manner that most dogs do. But it was instead with politeness? Perhaps. “I demand again, what is this!” The musketeers flinched, “Your majesty,”, more bowing, “You may not believe me but, Captain Treville has been turned into a dog.” That was Athos, sounding tired as always. “First the cardinal has turned into a cat, now the captain has turned into a hound. Is this some kind of elaborate joke?” The kings voice was growing louder and more offended by the second.
“The cardinal turned into a cat?” this was Aramis, and the dog was still sniffing him, oh god this was Treville, it wasn’t obvious before but there was something about his eyes, the same spark perhaps? There was conversation in the background conversation he should be listening to, but he was too enthralled in the fact that both he and the captain were suffering the same fate. He was, however brought out of it by a courier entering the room.
“Sire, I come with a letter from Madam Larroque, she has escaped the bastille, and this was found in her cell, it was addressed to you.”
There was silence in the room the couriers’ words bouncing of the walls, Richelieu’s hiss broke the silence. “Well hand it here then.” The king demanded, his hand reaching out. The courier did as was requested and then retreated. It was so quiet that Richelieu could hear the sounds of those human or other breathing, as suspense filled the room. The Kings eyes skid over the words, his eyes went wide, “You are excused” he said gesturing to the other members of court. They bowed and preceded to shuffle out of the room, everyone in that room wanted to know what words the letter contained but no one dared ask.
“What does it say?”
The Queen looked as though she had to put in effort to not lean over in her chair and look herself. “It appears that Ninon de Larroque is a witch after all, and she has put a curse on our cardinal, and captain.” He gestured to each man, or animal, respectively, “And she will not lift it until the two learn to get along.” He finished. That Witch, for that was what she was and how on Earth was that possible, and Ohhhh god he was stuck like this because he couldn’t ‘get along’ with Treville, his rant went on but to the outside viewer it sounded more like unintelligible hissing.
“You know, I’m seeing it now.” The king said commenting on the cat’s behavior, Aramis spoke, “So why don’t you two shake hands, or paws, and we can be done with this.” He looked between the cat and dog. Richelieu looked at Treville, Treville looked back. “I can’t believe this is happening.” Richelieu almost jumped out of his skin, he could understand the man, or dog. “You can understand me then.” Treville asked as he sat, looking surprisingly irritated for a dog. “OHH don’t act like this is my fault.” Richelieu snapped back.
“They can understand each other then.” Commented d’Artagnan, “Doesn’t look like their getting along though.” Porthos sighed. “Perhaps some fresh air could do us all good.” Athos suggested. “Very well then.” The king sighed standing up, “Go outside?” d’Artagnan quietly questioned, “Better those two-try ripping the fur off each other outside than in.” Athos replied. “yep, fair enough.” d’Artagnan said.
…
It was pleasantly warm, not to hot not to humid, just right. That was about the only thing that was ‘just right’ about this entire situation thought Richelieu. He was stuck walking next to Treville, it wasn’t as though he disliked walking next to Treville, no, he enjoyed their little walks. How easily they fell into step, how they both walked at the same pace, that was enjoyable, but now with the force of having to ‘make up’ and having such an audience.
Richelieu hated it, “Let’s go.” Richelieu looked over at Treville surprised at their apparent shared wish. “Where?” He asked his head higher now. “Into the forest.” Treville was looking forward, and Richelieu realized he had to strain to see his eyes. “How?” There was a moment of silence, Richelieu angled his ears, realizing that was something he could do now, and listened to any conversation from behind them. There where murmurings of conversation, judging by tone, everyone was quite relaxed, it would be a perfect time for them to dart off. “Wait for my signal, then run.” Richelieu nodded, he tensed his muscles, ready whenever Treville said.
A few seconds then a whisper in his ear, “Now.” Richelieu bounded forwards, they made it about 3 meters before, “OI! GET BACK HERE!” Then the sound of running followed, but Richelieu didn’t falter or look back he and Treville where running side by side, through the trees, trampled grass underfoot, he felt he could run for miles without tiring, and he was so fast and so free, quickly the shouts faded, but neither stopped running.
…
“We should go after them, right?” d’Artagnan panted, “No point, they’re long gone by now.” Aramis said between deep breaths. “At least there working together.” Porthos commented, “Yes, to disobey us,” Athos grumbled.
…
They had stopped running and where now trotting next to each other, the midday sun turning Trivelle’s brown pelt to gold. “They are going to be pissed when we get back.” Treville chuckled, Richelieu hummed his agreement, but it came out as more of a purr. “What now?” Richelieu asked, “Anything,” He stopped and looked at Richelieu, “For once you and I are free from duties.”
“So we are.”
“So, what should we do.”
“I have no idea.”
They both laughed, “You know,” Richelieu stopped, realizing his companion was looking up past him with a look of panic in his eyes. “What? What is it?” He turned, expecting some large monstrous beast.
There was nothing, but a strange scent, Richelieu couldn’t place it. “Foxes.” Treville breathed “Coming towards us.” He turned frantically sniffing, “From all sides.” , “What do we do?” Richelieu asked not caring about how shaky his voice came out. “I’ll be able to fend them of you need to get to safety.”
“How?”
“I don’t know, climb that tree.”
“What the hell do you mean ‘climb that tree’?”
“We’re running out of time.”
“I can’t climb that tree.”
“Yes, you can.”
“No, I can’t I “
Richelieu was cut off as Treville suddenly clamped his jaws around the cat’s scruff and threw him in the air vaguely towards a branch on the tree. Pure instinct was the only thing that kept him alive, as although slamming into the branch knocked the wind out of him, his claws frantically dug into the wood. He scrambled up into the branch, his claws still digging into the bark. He screwed his eyes shut, as much as he hated to admit it. The great cardinal Richelieu was afraid of heights, he could hear furious snarling and snapping from below, but he didn’t dare look, god he was such a coward, he inwardly cursed himself. But his back legs where trembling and he felt his eyes water, no he couldn’t, he had to open his eyes and make sure Treville was okay, the snarling was still going, but it was mixed with yelps of pain. He had to make sure Treville was okay, more yelps, open your eyes damn it, nothing, there was no sound. Richelieu’s eyes snapped open, preparing for the worst.
Treville stood, looking rather pleased with himself, panting, the three foxes turned tail and limped away. Richelieu breathed a sigh of relief, it was then he realized how high up he was, his whole body went stiff with fear, and his eyes went wide, he felt dizzy, he was going to fall.
“You can come down now.” Trivelle’s voice cut through the mist of Richelieu’s fear. “I can’t.” His voice came out uneven and high pitched, “Yes you can, come on just let go, I’ll catch you.” Treville smiled up at him. “I can’t.” Trivelle’s smile dropped,
“Come on, don’t you trust me?”
“Of course I trust you.”
“You do?”
“What? Yes, why would you think I wouldn’t?”
“Well, you’re not the kind of person that is easily trusting.”
“Captain, there are only two people in this world that I trust completely. Myself, and you.”
Treville was lost for words so he said the only thing he could say, “I trust you too.” Richelieu was silent for a few seconds and when he spoke his words came out softer than Treville had probably ever heard him.
“I’m glad we can trust each other.”
“Me too.”
“I love you.”
“Me too.”
The words came so easily to Treville and as he looked up and Richelieu, he could tell he felt the same. Then all of a sudden, he was much taller, looking down his hands were normal, his arms were normal, his, “OHFUCK!” Treville looked up just in time to see the Cardinal slip out of the tree, “Shit!” Treville cursed as he frantically moved to catch the falling man.
“Gottcha,” Treville sighed into the, now not falling, Cardinal’s hair, surprised by how soft it was. He’s the cardinal of course his hair feels nice, Treville breathed deeply into those ridiculous curls, Armand was light, but catching him from a 3-meter drop knocked the wind out of him.
Despite that he didn’t dare drop him, after a few minutes, or it might have been hours, Treville wasn’t sure. Richelieu leaned back in his arms, “Did you mean what you said?” Treville was too tired to respond, so instead, he kissed him, it was soft, and it only took a few seconds before Armand’s grip around his neck tightened, and he kissed back, Jean felt as though those foxes must have killed him, as this must be what heaven felt like.
Fin~