Missing Scenes S3 E10...
If there had been an episode 11, this is my version.
x
The following chapter is my version of why Athos left Paris after the fire to the Garrison.
But I always thought Ninon would be better suited to him. And I know from past Facebook and Twitter readers I am not alone in this.
So here goes guys...
S3 Episode Eleven LETTING GO.
Three Days After The Garrison Fire...
The Boars Head Tavern Rooms.
The chamber was dark, so dimly lit. Just a lone candle stood on the night stand, almost down to the wick.
The fire in the grate was had been lit at some point but had gone out, leaving just ash and embers that still smouldered. The room had turned cold again, frost had started to form on the outer window.
Athos sat alone in the darkness, just the moonlight that shone through the small window showed his weary tear stained features. He sat on the bed leaning against the stone wall, he stared into the empty grate, a bottle of wine in hand, several bottles lay scattered on the floor. The musketeer took another swig, spilling some of the contents down his shirt as he drank.
His mind was a tumoil of thoughts, he had lost the man that had made him a honourable musketeer, the man that had guided him, the man that had seen through his melancholy exterior and brought him out of his shell, he had been like a father to him and his brothers. He had always believed in him when he himself did not.
How do I carry on without this man, I cannot go on, I need him here, I need him with me.
Athos took another swig of wine, he swallowed hard as a sudden choking sob caught in his throat. He could not stop it this time, like he had in the tavern with his brothers present, he could not allow them to see him weep, they would think him weak, wouldn't they? they had showed their grief in different ways.
Athos brought up his knees to his chest and leaned his weary head on his arms, he wept openly, each sob catching in his aching throat, the lump that had stayed there for days since Tréville's death, the lump that had gotten bigger each time he swallowed. His whole body trembled, he couldn't control it, he did not want to control it, he had to let it out, it had to escape his body, this thing like another person wanting to break out and scream at the world.
The sobs were louder now, they continued to catch in his rasping thoat, his throat was so sore. His heart was heavy, like a rock in his chest, it pained him, his head ached, everything ached.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Aramis lifted his knuckles to rap on the door, his hand pausing in mid air as he heard sobbing.
The marksman put his ear to the door and listened.
Sobbing and more sobbing followed by choking and whimpering.
Aramis face changed to despair as he heeded his brothers weeping sobs. He obliviously reached for his Crucifix and kissed it, his own hands trembling for the sadness that was tormenting his brother.
Aramis turned to go but stopped in his tracks and half turned, he glanced back at the door of Athos' room and stared at the handle. He could still hear the sobbing, dear God he is broken!
They had all wept openly for Minister Tréville, he had been like a father to each and every one of them. He had not seen Athos weep, he had sat alone in the tavern just staring into nothing. He did not even drink the wine. Porthos had told them to leave him be, that he would handle his own grief. But I cannot do that, he needs me, he needs us. I know he likes his own privacy, but this is different, he needs someone to be with him, even if he throws me out, at least I can say I tried.
Aramis slowly approached the door and put his hand on the haft, he turned it, the door was open. He crept into the cold and dismal room. The marksman could just about make out the shape of his friend as he sobbed openly into his hands. He noticed how the lone candle was about to extinguish itself as it was practically touching the wick, wax had formed on the table top and was running outward to the edge.
Athos had not noticed his friend enter the room as he wept, he trembled as he sobbed, until he felt the warmth of someone placing a cloak around his shoulders.
Athos slowly lifted his head noticing Aramis smiling face. "It is freezing in here mon ami...you will catch a chill...look your fire has gone out."
Athos watched as his friend began to put wood onto the fire and light it with a discarded taper off the floor. He found a couple of candles and lit them, giving the room more of a glow.
The swordsman began to wipe his face, the last thing he wanted was to let Aramis see him weep like a child.
Aramis picked up another bottle of wine off the table and picked up two goblets. He poured out the wine and handed one to Athos who took it and said nothing.
"You have probably had enough of this fine wine my friend, but alas I have not, so you won't mind if I drink to catch you up."
Athos glared at his friend. "Why are you here Aramis? I wanted to be alone."
Aramis took a swig of wine and glanced at the tear stained face of his friend.
"I know you do mon ami, but I am afraid you have my company whether you like it or not.
"We have not seen sign nor light of you, we were somewhat worried. I had a feeling I would find you here. I have a gift for knowing these things you know."
Athos sat staring as the flames began to lick the inner grate. The room had started to feel warmer now.
Aramis glanced at his friend. "I see you have succumbed to your emotions...that is good mon ami...you will feel much better for it."
Athos said nothing as he swigged his wine. Why was Aramis always so right.
Aramis stood and sat himself next to Athos on the bed, both men leaning against the wall.
"That's much better now...warmer in here at last." he murmered nudging into his friends shoulder and smiling. "Good job I arrived...you could have froze to death."
Athos swigged his wine. "Maybe you should have stayed away then."
Aramis eyed his friend. He knew he had suffered in the past with nightmares and his own demons, but he had never heard him talk like this. Aramis knew Tréville's death had hit him hard, it had hit them all hard, but Athos looked up to Tréville like a father, the man had treated him like a son, he had seen the man inside when he was at his worst and took him under his wing, he had made him the admirable musketeer he was today. And now he was gone.
"I hate you speaking this way mon ami, you matter to us all. I will not stand by and watch you destroy yourself. Tréville would have scolded you for it."
The swordsman felt the tears coming again, he hated it, he never wanted his brother to see him weep, but he couldn't stop it, his throat felt like he had swallowed a large stone. He fought it, but it was no use. His head dropped onto his chest, his shoulders shuddering with every sob, he never felt the arm slide around him and pull him close until he was sobbing into Aramis' chest. The marksman stroking his hair as he wept, and feeling his own eyes filling with tears. How he wanted to take away his pain, but this was not a physical pain this was different.
"Let it go my friend...let it out. I promise you will feel so much better."
Athos slowly sat up and wiped his eyes on a cloth Aramis had taken from his pocket.
"I apologise for my behaviour Aramis...I am akin to a blubbering and idiotic big child."
Aramis turned to him. "Don't you dare apologise for being a human being...you have let this build up over the days, it has festered and filled you with anguish, it had to rid itself."
"You are a very fine friend Aramis." murmered Athos. "No! you are a very fine brother...I love you."
Aramis felt a lump forming in his throat, he knew it had taken a lot for Athos to say those words to him.
Athos felt the marksmans lips kiss his temple. "And I love you brother...we all love you...we always will." he whispered.
Athos felt warmer now, he felt somewhat relieved of the heavy burden he was carrying.
Aramis suddenly glanced at his brother. "I know it was you who suggested to the Queen that I should become first minister and I am most grateful for it, I also know it was you who suggested Porthos have promotion to General. And what about d'Artagnan, you have give him your role as captain, prey tell me Athos you are not resigning your commission.?
Athos leaned back against the wall, he swigged back some wine and smiled sadly.
"No I am not resigning my commission my friend, I am simply taking some time away for a while."
Aramis' eyes widened. "Your leaving Paris?
Athos eyed his brother. "Just for a short while...I am going to visit Ninon De Larroque...she has written to me, she asked me to visit her in Périgord, she has opened a teaching insititution for children. She has been in England since Richelieu banished her. She returned after finding out he had died, her exile dying with him."
Aramis nudged his shoulder into his friend and grinned with a wink. "I knew she had taken a shine to you from the moment she set eyes on you my friend...when we went to look for the missing girl."
Athos stared into the flames, he didn't say a word. He nudged the marksman back and rolled his eyes.
"You deserve some happiness Athos, I will pray it comes your way." said Aramis softly. "And I cannot think of any other woman who fits that mould as she does. But we shall miss you very much!
"I am simply just visiting her mon ami." murmered Athos.
Aramis swigged some wine back. "I do hope you are coming back my friend, we need you here."
Athos had a slight smile on his face. "I will always come back to Paris, I could never leave it behind, but sometimes a man needs a change of scenery.
Aramis squeezed the swordmans shoulder and glanced at him with a pursed smile.
"It will not be the same without you mon ami."
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
TBC...
The next chapter will be the Goodbye as Athos leaves for Périgord to visit Ninon.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know.
Thank you.
Pippa xxx