D'Artagnan's domain

[kristanci]

I am sad... How can nothing be posted up here about my wonderful d'Artagnan!? Egads ladies! This site has been up for months, and yet the lovely harem is empty!

Well, I will be the first to admit that I am slowly becoming a Siroc fan, but I will remain loyal to d'Artagnan. So I'm going to start posting like mad!

d'Artagnan!

[jeantre16]

Kris, outta respect for Jacqueline (not to mention the man in my life), I didn't feel right stirring up the harem. But know this, making a guest appearance among his loyal followers is certainly not against my ethics.

I'll admit, he does make for dream material to write about!

[potc166]

D'Artagnan is cool...but I now like Siroc better..don't know why..guess I just grew up a bit...though I have never fallen for D'Aetagnan he is to coky for my likeing but someday Jackline will admit she is in love with him and they will run away and get married and he can stop flirting to make her jelious...

[parazesis]

I do belive that that day will be a long time in the coming. Mainly because she is still wanted and he needs to grow up a bit

[parazesis]

Also D'artagnion is a cad, a very good looking cad but a cad none the less. we cant wright too much about him without getting ourselves mauled by jealous girls from the past not to mention that Jackelyn subconsciously has him wrapped around her finger.

[thedaringhattrick]

In Defense of Maturity...

I think D'Artagnan has actually grown up a lot since the series began. And I can prove it by examining his progress from the episodes from start to finish. We can divide up his progress in three portions: the beginning, the middle, the end.

In the first four episodes, we catch a glimpse of D'Artagnan the flirt. He knows how to turn on the charm and catch a girl's attention. In Wanted he's after Charlotte (and feeling threatened by this new musketeer, 'Jacques'). In Rub a Dub Sub, now that he knows that Jacques is actually Jacqueline, he's trying to woo her--which backfires and he resorts to the most cad-like behaviour I've ever seen him do when he purposely pursues the Seamstress' daughter in an attempt to spark envy in Jacqueline.

After the events in Exile, however, we start to see that D'Artagnan's feelings for Jacqueline are a little deeper than a mere physical attraction. In the episodes following this one, one might say that it's D'Artagnan's flirtatious past coming back to haunt him. Note that he is no longer pursuing any other women but Jacqueline, but the other women are pursuing him! For example, the wash girl from DaVinci's Notebook, Princess Tatiana from The Girl from Upper Gaborski and Emanuelle from Coat of Arms . D'Artagnan turns all of them down! He is not interested in a meaningless romp with the princess, and he does not do anything to purposely try and interest Emanuelle. Furthermore, the wash girl, while annoying, still would have been a free meal-ticket. In each of these women and their relationships to D'Artagnan, we see that he values other things more than just sex. His friendship with Ramon, his duty to Louis, true love, etc. In Four Musketeers and a Baby we (supposedly) see the consequences of D'Artagnan's many rolls in the hay when we are introduced to 'Little D'. In the same episode, D'Artagnan 'proposes' to Jacqueline. Although this would not have been the most responsible choice, as Jacqueline points out, because what he really should have done is sought out the real mother of the child, it is here that we see that D'Artagnan is actually interested in settling down with Jacqueline.

In The Invincible Sword the audience finds out D'Artagnan's true feelings for Jacqueline. Despite the fact that the "I Love You" comes in a dream, it is difficult not to notice his increasing tenderness for our female musketeer. Following this episode, we have Chameleon and of course, Secrets . In Chameleon we have several 'moments' between the two, such as the doppelganger of Jacques they witnessed in the square and D'Artagnan's explanation that he would have immediately recognized that she was 'replaced' because he knew the things she valued in her heart. Then, in Secrets , even though D'Artagnan uses the love potion on her and she turns to kiss him, he refuses on a second thought. He realizes that he wants her to mean it . He also realizes that he is willing to risk his life for her. In the scenes with Dumas, we see the two of them running from the Cardinal's guards who have discovered Jacqueline's secret.
Clearly, then, D'Artagnan is in on this for the long run.

And personally, while I do enjoying reading Jacqueline/Siroc or OC pairings (in fact, I usually enjoy unconventional pairings in my fandom), as silly as it might sound, I feel sorry for D'Artagnan. He really has come a long way, even in canon and I really do think he cares for her more than just as a conquest. Sure, he still needs to mature a lot more, but at least he's trying.

If he were perfect in every way, that would be boring. I mean, he's already handsome, dashing, brave... he needs to be a little cadish, have some sort of roguish, unpredictable streak to really balance things out.

I find that's the case with Siroc/Jacqueline pairings. Siroc is already mature, composed, serious...and he's good looking (I think even better looking that D'Art) and the only missing ingredient is love which, from a fanfiction stand point, is actually quite easy to write-in. The only real obstacle is D'Artagnan's jealousy, and that's where I get weak in the knees because I feel like he's invested so much into Jacqueline since the beginning and he, for the lack of a better word, deserves her. I think she can keep him in check.

So, while sometimes it might be secretly satisfying to have D'Artagnan, the heart breaker, learn that he can't always get the girl, I'd still feel incredibly sorry for him, because I think he's a redeemable character. He's growing up, and I think he would continue to do so had the series continued.

Just a thought

(... and I just totally wrote my first fan-girl mini-essay. Yikes! lol. )

[jeantre16]

<----- thedaringhattrick

Bravo! Wonderfully put. Loved your fan-girl, mini-essay!

[parazesis]

interesting viewpoint. but I would have to say that although what you say is true human perception can vary the way that any one person sees the people around them. What i mean to say is douse Jacqueline realize all this? I really agree with you that D'art should get Jacquelin but It is going to take a VERY LONG time. trust me i really am rooting for D'art but your right he has his flaws, and he needs to overcome some of them. Otherwise some Charles II like person is going to come riding in and sweep her off her feet take her away to his glittering fairy tail palace, yadda yadda yadda, and D'art will lose her for good and he will walk around the rest of his life with a broken heart. resulting in personal problems, like excessive drinking and womanizing. Not to mention that this will cause great disappointment for the fans.
By the way have you ever noticed that Lady's men always seem to fall hard for the one that they can't and sometimes don't get?

[jeantre16]

All that from losing Jacqueline?!!! In that case the fanfic writers better shape that man up!

[parazesis]

hahahaha Nice!

[thedaringhattrick]

parazesis said:

interesting viewpoint. but I would have to say that although what you say is true human perception can vary the way that any one person sees the people around them. What i mean to say is douse Jacqueline realize all this?

Indeed, while it is still entirely possible that Jacqueline may not realize the true nature of the feelings of our noble D'Artganan the younger (us girls can be either too guarded or clueless sometimes), in true pretentious fangirl format, I'd like to point out that there is a tiny amount of evidence in the canon that points to her awareness of her companion's growing maturity.

But before I get into that, I think it's important that we first analyze her personality and situation. From what has been demonstrated, Jacqueline is a strong-willed, independent and very passionate woman who generally keeps her emotions well guarded. I am sometimes surprised at fanfic authors who consistently present her as easily moved to tears. From the very first episode, we can see she is mostly action-oriented; she transfigures all her sensitive affections into physical energy. When the Cardinal Captain kills her father, she is incensed into retaliation and kills him; when D'Artagnan infuriates her, she challenges him to a dual; when D'Artagnan turns his affections to the seamstress, Jacqueline throws all her energy into solving the case. Instead of wallowing in pity over that disturbing dream in The Invincible Sword she takes preventative measures and tosses the weapon into the lake. In Exile , when she learns of Charles' betrayal, she doesn't plead with him; instead, she turns her horse around and leaves him behind. We do not see any tears shed unless someone dear to her has been murdered--and even then, the remorse isn't all consuming. She cries, but she moves on very quickly.

In a similar vein, then, it is easy to understand why: Jacqueline is masquarading as a man. As it was believed then, and is still to some extent, understood now, men dwell in the realm of reason--men don't cry. Men burp, eat spicy chicken and make insentivity a character trait. If she's to keep up appearances, Jacqueline needs to stifle what is left of her feminine sentiments, which, as the series pilot demonstrates, were relatively few to begin with. Furthermore, she's a fugitive: she needs to be extremely careful of who she trusts and extra vigilent and suspicious. All these traits no doubt spill over into her relationship with and perception of D'Artagnan.

Lastly, and most important of all, Jacqueline did not come to the musketeer garrison looking for a husband or a fling. She became a musketeer to expose Mazarin and eventually clear her name and liberate her brother. All these things, her goals, her concealed identity, her fugitive status, no doubt weigh heavily on her mind. D'Artagnan is like the wrench just tossed into this entire jumble. As a young farm girl who only knew her farm and family, she is inexperienced in the realm of men. Her father even stated that she would scare off any potential suitors if she insisted on rough-housing with her brother. Clearly, she has yet to be introduced to a real courtship. Even in Exile we see that romance is a fairly new ground to tread on for Jacqueline, let alone the concept of courtly love. As she discovered in this very same episode, she wants someone she can trust.

Thus, there should be little surprise why Jacqueline is so hesitant in taking D'Artagnan seriously (and this is just aside from his cadish behaviour). Her already suspicious nature, her independence, her religiosity and her relative inexperience regarding men are all rolled into one tight bundle that is going to be difficult for any suitor, not just D'Artagnan, to crack.

But, as promised, there is evidence in the canon that points to Jacqueline's growing realization of D'Artagnan's trustworthiness.

Secrets is of course, the big one. She admits to D'Artagnan that she thinks him noble and kind for following her on her expedition, without knowing why or where they were going, incase she would need his help. After Gerard's death, she says that she's lost everyone that was ever dear to her, and then pauses and looks at D'Artagnan only to add 'almost everyone' to her conclusion.

In Chameleon we see the panic in her expression and voice at the prospect of being completely replaced and insulted at the first impression that D'Artagnan would only be able to tell the difference between her and the doppleganger because the latter acted more like a man. At his clarification, her expression softens into relief.

In Exile she asks D'Artagnan to accompany her to England with Charles. On one hand, yes this is because at that time, D'Artagnan was also considered a fugitive and by escaping with them, they'd ensure his survival. However, there was also Jacqueline's question regarding whether she was doing the right thing. In other words, she was asking for his blessing.

In Four Musketeers and a Baby note how utterly saddened Jacques appears (in comparison to the others) at D'Artagnan's resignation. In the flashback in Secrets she is thoughtful about D'Artagnan's proposal, before shaking it off and changing the subject.

As to whether there is any doubt in regards to Jacqueline's feelings towards D'Artagnan, we need only to re-read the above mentioned analysis in conjecture with Rub a Dub Sub Invincible Sword Secrets . In Rub a Dub Sub we see Jacqueline's regret when she spies D'Artagnan kisses the shopkeeper in the mirror. In Secrets and Invincible Sword it is Jacqueline who moves in for the kiss, not D'Artagnan.

Thus, there is mutual respect and fondness between these two characters. D'Artagnan's sentiments are difficult to contend with, while Jacqueline--well, the evidence is in the pudding, as they say. And yes, while we do see her wrestling with these emotions throughout the series, putting on a straight, manly face, we all know that the seeds have already been planted....And while it is true, that they can grow any way we fan-fic authors want them to grow, they're still there nonetheless.

[parazesis]

touche! but I still think that it is going to take a long time before anything can hapien between them and not have serious consiquinces. Yes in the invencible sword it was her that moved in but as is plain to see she was not herself. just like it was in secrets by the fire. I do think she can see that he has matured at least some, however she is extremly garded and that gardedness makes her blind to certann things. I know from experiance. She sees him in part as the first impreson of him that she experianced. She want's to view him difrently, and in part she dous but he has the anoying habit of messing things up right when he was starting to brake throughher defences, thus causing her to recede back in to her shell and fortify the walls. Jacleen is what you would call an introvert, she relyes on herself, it is hard for her to let anyone too close she can have plinty of friends but very few if any trully know her. she is also very scared of getting heirt, she has a soft heart but she cotes it in iorn to protect it from life's arows. She might be affraid the that D'art is just another arow.

As it is it is trully inposibe to tell what is going on inside her head. As fans WE can see that he is absolutly in love with her and vice-versa. But they can't see through the cover. It is a trully timless story with countless examples

[parazesis]

Argg it acidentaly posted my reply I wasen't finissed.

[parazesis]

another thing Jaquleen is more proper than she is preceved as. She belives that the man should make the first move. that is how Charls II sweped her off her feet he was bold but not overly so, he gave her reson to like him by taking the inititive and quietlly making the first move. this might eventualy work for D'art seeing as he came rushing into her life and turning it sideways. but I think he came on a little too strong for her. but don't worry it will work it self out. they are adults and they can take care of themselves, all we can do is cheer.

[thedaringhattrick]

parazesis said:

another thing Jaquleen is more proper than she is preceved as. She belives that the man should make the first move. that is how Charls II sweped her off her feet he was bold but not overly so, he gave her reson to like him by taking the inititive and quietlly making the first move. this might eventualy work for D'art seeing as he came rushing into her life and turning it sideways. but I think he came on a little too strong for her. but don't worry it will work it self out. they are adults and they can take care of themselves, all we can do is cheer.

Good point about Jacqueline not being in her 'right mind.' I think in both circumstances, her inhibitions were lowered, so she wasn't as defensive as she usually is.

And you're also right that Jacqueline is a little more proper than she lets on. Her religiousity comes to mind here; the cross, her insistence to pray for D'Artagnan, her friendship with the Friar. In all probability, she's probably still a virgin and holding out until marriage, and therefore, no wonder she frowns down on D'Artagnan's promiscuity!

Still, it's clear where the show was driving at with their relationship. Remember, in Secrets , Alexandre Dumas explained that Jacqueline would not kiss D'Artagnan because it was out of character for her... at least, she would not kiss him yet. That says to me: D'Artagnan and Jacqueline, sitting in a tree!

Since the show is no more, however, we can only speculate how they get there-- when will those two crazy love birds get together, under what circumstances and how will they finally realize that they're literally made for one another. For me, it's not so much canon as it is just enjoyment out of watching this pair. There's something certainly endearing about their relationship