Chapter Text
Compiègne, Kingdom of France. May 23, 1430.
As the spring breeze flew around Compiègne, Jeanne d'Arc, the Maid of Lorraine, felt sick to her stomach as she watched Jean de Metz making plans for the coming defense while the two hundred soldiers who had come with her were preparing themselves both physically and emotionally to defend the people of Compiègne from the impending attack from the forces of Burgundy. Her precious Jean, her loyal second in command, and the only man who had ever tempted her to break her vow of chastity. It painted her to see his futile efforts that would now amount to nothing. There would be no battle to save the town, that much was certain. Before she had even accepted this assignment, her saints had broken the news to her that she was to be betrayed by the monarch that she had installed upon the throne of France: King Charles of the house of Valois, seventh of his name. The weight of what Charles planned to do weighed so terribly heavy upon the maid's heart.
"Jeanne, I have a map of Compiègne here..." Jean started to explain as he made points upon a map of the town and the surrounding area. The maid could bear it no longer as she took his hand in her own
"Jean, you have to listen to me; we may not have the chance to speak again. If I am captured or killed, you must not risk your life or the lives of our men to save me." Jeanne begged as he looked up on her with those brown eyes that a maiden could fall into.
"Jeanne...you will not be captured or killed." Jean insisted anxiously as the mere thought of losing his bosom friend filled his insides with the slow poison only fear could produce.
"I know, it is hard for you to understand, but I have been betrayed into the hands of the English and the Burgundians." Jeanne revealed to a wide eyed Jean. She had not intended to reveal this to the man, but she could not keep this secret a moment longer; nor had the Lord her God commanded her to do so.
"Who, what villain would so such a thing?" Jean asked his chest heaved as if each breath was painful. The idea that Jeanne was being betrayed after all she had done for France was utterly unthinkable. "Tell me his name and I will run him through myself, I swear it!"
"The name of my betrayer is of no consequence. I know this is hard for you to understand, it is hard for me to...but whatever happens, happens because God allows it." Jeanne as she could not pit Jean against his king. If Jean knew that it was Charles who had delivered her up to the English, he would surely strike the king down; she knew he would. She grasped his hand in an attempt to comfort them both in this time of despair.
"But Jeanne..." Jean stuttered as he tried to hide the tears that were threatening to spill forth.
"Jean, no matter what happens to me now...you must promise me that you will finish what we started; swear it." Jeanne commanded as Jean squeezed her hand tightly as the fear in his face was replaced with determination.
"I swear it, the cause shall not die with you." Jean swore as Jeanne smiled a sad smile in him, knowing that her holy militia would be left in proper hands.
"They are here, La Hire approaches!" A scout announced as everyone was relieved that the reinforcements that had been promised by King Charles had finally arrived to the appointed rendezvous. Jeanne quickly stormed out of the tent to meet La Hire, followed swiftly by Jean. As the troops came quickly into view, it was clear that something was wrong. The soldiers were marching too hard and too fast after the French encampment. When they got closer, they saw that upon the troops uniforms was the saw toothed cross of St. Andrew; the symbol of the Duke of Burgundy.
"Burgundians...men, arm yourselves!" Jean exclaimed as he saw the cross and realized that the long feared attack was now upon them. Jeanne stood dead in her tracks as she knew that the Lord meant for this to come down upon her and no one could stop it; no matter how badly they wanted to. Both groups of armed men were readying their weapons, ready and willing to do battle right there and then. Jeanne immediately rushed in between the French and Burgundians, for she knew that they were here for her and for no one else. If she could spare the lives of her faithful men, she would.
"No...No...No!" Jeanne shouted as she raised her hands to halt the battle before it could properly begin. Jean and her faithful followers looked at her in shock as she backed towards the advancing Burgundian militia. Was she truly going to allow herself to be captured? Was the story of the Maid of Lorraine going to end here? All the hope, all the glory, disappearing in the wind?
"Jeanne, please...let us fight for you. It is why we are here!" Jean pleaded as the dam finally burst and the tears finally sprang forth.
"It is as I told you." Jeanne replied as she reached out her hand to caress the cheek of the man she could never love. Jean leaned into that touch before a Burgundian soldier hoisted her off the ground and put her up on the horse as if she was nothing more than a rag doll.
"Jeanne...JEANNE!" Jean screamed as the Burgundian troops, having gotten what they were sent for, galloped away with all haste for Burgundy. Their greatest adversary in their grasp at last.