D’Artagnan

Also known as: D'Artagnan / D’Artagnan the younger / Lord D’Artagnan / M. D’ARTAGNAN / M. d’Artagnan / Monsieur Chevalier / Monsieur d’Artagnan / d’Artagnan / the Gascon / the talkative Gascon / the young Musketeer / the young man / young D’Artagnan / youngster from Béarn · Family: Gascon · Role: young gentleman · First appears: Chapter 1

In 1625, D’Artagnan left M. d’Artagnan the elder with fifteen crowns, his horse, and M. de Tréville’s letter, while Mme. D’Artagnan supplied a balsam recipe that helped him recover from his wounds. After selling the horse, he reached Paris and was summoned to M. de Tréville, who offered him admission to the Royal Academy but required campaigns or service before admitting him to the Musketeers. D’Artagnan arranged duels with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, then joined them against the Cardinal’s Guards, killing Jussac and disarming Cahusac. The fight turned the rivals into friends: “All for one, one for all—that is our motto, is it not?” Louis XIII rewarded him, placed him in M. Dessessart’s Guards, and later admitted him as a cadet, while Porthos placed Planchet in his service.

In the following chapters, D’Artagnan became involved with M. Bonacieux and the abduction of Mme. Bonacieux, whom he rescued from the cardinal’s agents and sheltered in Athos’s apartment. Their mutual love was declared, and D’Artagnan accepted Anne of Austria’s mission to carry the queen’s message to Buckingham. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis followed him, and D’Artagnan led the expedition after the others were delayed or captured. He defeated De Wardes, reached England with Planchet, received the replacement diamond studs from Buckingham, returned to Paris, and was rewarded by Anne of Austria with a ring. M. de Tréville advised him, and D’Artagnan continued to act with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis as the four friends pursued their missions.

D’Artagnan later recognized Milady and became involved with her while also receiving Kitty’s love. He learned that Milady hated him, had helped abduct Mme. Bonacieux, and bore a fleur-de-lis mark; after she attacked him, Kitty helped him escape. D’Artagnan followed Athos’s counsel and tried to end his involvement with Milady, then joined Athos in buying the Musketeer equipment. During the campaign, Richelieu offered him an ensign’s commission, but D’Artagnan refused it, and Milady arranged attempts on his life. He warned Lord de Winter about the plot against Buckingham, held Milady prisoner, and later joined Athos and Lord de Winter in pursuing her after Mme. Bonacieux died from poison. At the Lys, D’Artagnan pardoned Milady before her execution.