The Others

By MusketeerAdventure

Summary: d'Artagnan embarks on a journey without his brothers. What adventure awaits him?!

Chapter 1

Athos sat at his favorite spot, in his favorite seat, in his favorite location – the table facing all of the action in the garrison yard.

Finally, he was able to relax his body, if not his mind. It had been a long and difficult day. One spent riding alongside his King as he demonstrated his talent for the hunt to other members of the court. His patience had been truly tested throughout the day, as he and his fellow musketeers used all of the skill they possessed to keep royalty safe from themselves.

Weariness pulled at him, but he was looking forward to meeting up with his brothers to spend a night on the town and to see how d'Artagnan fared, on his day without them. He was content now to eat his meal and to wait.

As he pulled off his hat, and thanked Serge for his evening meal, he spied d'Artagnan entering the garrison yard. With him were two others, whose names he could not remember, but whose faces he recognized as young men well on their way to being respected musketeers.

While he ate, his mind wandered back to his own youth as a man of twenty, and marveled at these three as they sauntered side by side. Intermittently they would erupt into pushing, laughing, and then joking. They literally bounced with excessive energy. Their noise level was high, each one talking over the other, trying to out shout and be heard.

He could only smile slightly, and then wince internally. He could not remember having such enthusiasm and friendships at that age. At twenty, his only true friend was his brother, who looked up to him with such adoration. It was difficult to live up to that.

d'Artagnan seemed happy enough. He appeared to him open and friendly with these others. As he watched them approach, a small twinge caught at his heart. This caused him to look inward, cautioning him to not care for this boy too much.

As he continued to study them, all three youths stopped and posed languidly, as youth do, and lean on the railing near the stables. This was as if to say, "Look here at us. We are proud to be musketeers!" A few did look in their direction, and fondly shook their heads at such audacity.

He could not hear their conversation, but it seemed jovial and good natured, judging by d'Artagnan's face and his flushed look of excitement as he eagerly listened to what was being said and interjecting his point of view with intense purpose.

Athos watched closely and considered how young d'Artagnan was. He saw how all three were wound tight with the tension of their life before them, waiting expectantly for the next adventure, their next step in life.

He looked down at his meal, and chuckled to himself. If someone at this very moment offered him the keys to eternal happiness and then said he must go back in time and revisit his youth, he would have to decline. Even if he could change crucial moments from his past, new heartaches would take its place. Such is the price of youth.

When he looked up again, d'Artagnan and the others were standing before him, shifting from foot to foot and removing their hats. Only d'Artagnan smiled at him with open familiarity. Gesturing toward his friends, and looking toward the empty seats, d'Artagnan asked, "May we sit Athos?"

He looked at each in turn and then nodded his assent. They all rushed the benches and sat noisily, jostling the table. Their energy level upset his equilibrium and his plate. d'Artagnan, sensing his unease, sat quietly to his right and began his introductions.

"Athos, these are my friends, Adrienne and Cypriene. Adrienne and Cypriene, this is Athos." Unheard to the others was "my brother", but Athos could hear it, and the twinge in his heart loosed. His eyes had shown bright as he heard the obvious pride within the introduction.

He then turned to inspect each of these others.

Adrienne was a tallish young man with red curly hair, green eyes and orange freckles across his nose. His eyes were wary and somewhat shuttered, but whose countenance belied how awestruck he was to be seated at the table with him. He remembers this young man with a sword. He was talented, but not gifted as was d'Artagnan. He seemed the leader of this youthful group and sat purposefully, erect and at attention.

Next to Adrienne sat Cypriene. He was a stocky young man, well built, and somewhat shorter than Adrienne and d'Artagnan. He wore a cocky smile that matched the twinkle in his eye. He appeared to be trying to grow a mustache, and reached to touch it often, smoothing the fluffy new hairs. He had golden curls that reached to his shoulders. He appeared at ease in his own skin and Athos noticed that he looked to Adrienne and d'Artagnan with genuine affection.

And sitting next to him was d'Artagnan, confident, skilled and brimming with possibilities. He wore his heart on his sleeve; and was almost an open book, if you knew which chapters to focus on.

He was so proud of d'Artagnan, who could make friendships with anyone, yield his sword superbly, fight to the end for justice, and show loyalty to all he knew, who deserved such. d'Artagnan who made every moment of his life count for something, sat here next to him now, giving his own life more meaning. If he could do this for him, what could he do for others?

d'Artagnan's future looked bright.

His thoughts were interrupted as he heard d'Artagnan say, "I wanted to share with you my good news – our good news." He was grinning from ear to ear.

As the three nodded enthusiastically, smiling at each other knowingly, Athos felt himself prompted to ask, and with some trepidation, "What could this news be?"

Taking a deep breath and watching Athos closely, d'Artagnan exclaimed, "Captain Treville has given us an assignment?"

The three then looked to Athos all at once with eager anticipation for his reaction. Before he could comment they began to speak over one another, words tumbling over words.

"We are to escort the Comte' de Clermont to Reims."
"He is to be at his mother's side. She has taken ill."

"Which is of little consequence, but sad indeed."

We are to leave in two days."

"This is not a lot of time to plan our journey."

More words jumbled forward, but Athos could not make out much of what they were saying.

d'Artagnan added to the tirade, "What think you Athos? When did you take your first assignment without your lieutenant?"

Athos raised his hand to stem the flow, not only of words from these three, but also the wave of excitement that rolled away from them and crashed into him. It was overwhelming and somewhat worrisome.

He took a deep breath and tried to clamp down on a rising sense of panic and apprehension.

Keeping his face neutral, he nodded, "Congratulations", with a steady voice; and chose that moment to break his bread.

Some moments of silence followed.

Adrienne, sensing the conversation over, looked to his companions. "We should leave you to finish your meal, and go plan for our journey." As he stands, he makes a point to bow his head politely to Athos and then share a pointed look with d'Artagnan.

"Yes, I will meet up with you. Give me a moment?"

Adrienne and Cypriene nod respectfully, tip their hats and make their way from the table, much more somber than when they sat.

d'Artagnan turns to Athos with an expectant gaze.

Athos breaks his bread again, "When were you assigned?"

"He called us in to his office but two hours ago, while you were on duty with the King and his party. We are glad that the Captain has faith in us to do this. We understand our inexperience, but we have learned much in our training. I have learned much from you, from Aramis and Porthos as well. I know we are ready. There is no need to look so worried."

It seemed not so long ago, that he could hide his feelings from d'Artagnan. That was no longer the case.

Athos peered at d'Artagnan closely. His mind turning over and calculating the amount of experience put together between these three. What is Treville's reasoning here?

In his mind, these are still boys in need of careful guidance, and tutelage. d'Artagnan has been on missions without them before, but always with a musketeer with higher rank or with significantly more experience.

Adrienne seemed older, but not by much.

d'Artagnan has great leadership skills, and is a gifted swordsman, but was still prone to impulsiveness and tended toward stubbornness when he thought things should go his way.

Cypriene seemed content to follow, his good nature, and ease would be an advantage when among his peers.

They were all good soldiers, and some day, if he had anything to do with it, d'Artagnan would be a great musketeer. But right now, at twenty and one?

All these things he thought to himself, to d'Artagnan he answered, "I have great confidence in you skills and abilities." He paused and nodded toward his waiting companions. "You should go – Adrienne waits for you to plan."

"Can we talk more a bit later, you and I?" d'Artagnan implores. "I wish to pick your brain, and practice more before we depart."

Athos lowers his head and nods in acknowledgment, "Yes, of course."

d'Artagnan then leapt from his seat, bounding toward his companions, hooking his arms around their necks as they walk off to make plans.

Athos frowns at their youthfulness, and placing his hat firmly on his head endeavors to seek out Treville.

At that moment, Serge places his hand on his shoulder. "Remember what it was like to be that young?"

He shared a knowing look with Serge, "I'm afraid so", and starts off toward his Captain's office.

Before he can reach the stairway leading up to Treville's office, Aramis and Porthos arrive in the yard and wave to gain his attention.

Aramis, suspecting a dark mood, inquires, "What's this then? Why so glum? I thought we had planned a night out on the town to celebrate; and to toast the fact that we had survived the tedium of the day."

Porthos clapped his back, "Yes, brother, let us go now. We should get d'Artagnan to celebrate with us? Where is the lad?"

Athos looked to them both, "He is off planning to ready himself. He has been assigned a mission of escort with two others, Adrienne and Cypriene."

"Yes, I know those two. Fine soldiers", states Aramis.

Porthos adds, "That Cypriene, a good fighter his is; and a wicked sense of humor."

Aramis frowns, "It is that time then? To see how they fare on their own?"

"It is too soon." Athos surmises.

"It is too soon for whom? d'Artagnan is chomping at the bit to spread his wings. I believe it more so, too soon for you my friend."

Porthos continues, "This is when he grows beyond us. That boy thinks well on his feet. He has good instincts. He has good teachers after all. I believe they will do well. Treville would not have chosen them otherwise."

Athos hears the argument, "I wish to confer with Treville on this matter." He leaves his brothers to make his way up the staircase.

Porthos and Aramis shake their heads in unison, "We will wait for you here", calls Aramis.

Once reaching the door, Athos knocks with determination. The Captain calls him to enter and to close the door behind him; then gestures toward the chair near his desk. Athos removes his hat, and quietly takes a seat, looking everywhere but at his Captain.

Sensing he should begin the conversation, Treville states with caution, "I take it you have spoken with d'Artagnan."

Athos nods in affirmation, and waits for the Captain to continue.

"I believe the three are ready to do this. I believe that d'Artagnan is ready to do this. It is time to see how they do on their own. Adrienne, Cypriene, and d'Artagnan show great promise. I see them as leaders here in the not so distant future. You yourself have seen it in d'Artagnan and have made nothing stop you in pointing this out to me. Under your guidance, he has grown steadily into a fine Musketeer."

Athos looks up at Treville with a questioning glance.

"All of our less experienced Musketeers get this chance Athos. How else will we know who can lead, who can think on their feet, and respond to situations that we cannot possibly train for. You, Porthos, and Aramis, all received this opportunity and did admirably I must say. These three will do the same and come home safely with a story to tell."

Athos dips his head and begins to twirl his hat round and round, concentrating very hard on the feather.

"This assignment is straight forward. They are an escort. There is no need to follow or to shadow. All will go as well as they plan it. I have confidence they will carry out their orders with due diligence."

With that being said, Athos stands to his feet, places his hat back on his head, and walks to the door. Before departing, he turns to take a final glance at his Captain.

"If anything happens, you will be the first to know."

Leaving the office and heading down the staircase towards his friends, Porthos and Aramis meet him halfway. "Let's go celebrate" exclaims Aramis as he hooks his arms around his brother's necks, smiling.

TBC

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