-A/N Hello there! Welcome to my story. At first I have to start with the disclaimer that I do not owe anything and make no money from it. I wrote this purely for my joy and then shared it with you. Writing about my favourite stories helped massively to improve my English as it is not my native language. I had three years of French at school, not that I remember much more than a little basics of the language… a few years back I read the Man in The Iron Mask, and I am a huge fan of the movie, and as soon as I run into another book of Alexandre Dumas I will go and read them!

I do not intent to make this a slash story, but since I like our musketeers getting hurt (especially Aramis since he is my favourite) we somehow have to know how they have gotten hurt. I am bad at writing slash, which is another reason to avoid it, but all tips are welcome! I have set the start of the story after Savoy, before D'Artagnan joins them, I think he will join later on in the story.

Now I have said more than enough, enjoy! Please let me know what you think, merci!-

"Look!" One of the guards laughed as he pulled the blue cloak around his shoulder and put a hat with a small feather upon his own. "Look! I belong to the king's musketeers. Now all get out of the way, because I am so important." The guard mocked as he pranced around, lifting his legs high. The two other guards that stood watching him, and roared with laughter.

"My turn." One of the two other guards said. He stripped the other guard of the hat and cloak. The guard that had previously stood aside tried to make in an even better 'imitation' of the musketeer. "Oh, lord have mercy, a droplet of blood!" The guard said as he fake fainted. The two other guards once again burst into laughter. They quickly straitened themselves when the door opened.

"Good afternoon." The nun greeted as she walked inside, casting a sideways glance at the odd attributes of the guard that scrambled to his feet.

"I would not go in there, sister." The guard with Aramis hat and cloak said.

"Would you deny anyone his prayers to god?" She asked as she turned around.

"I would not." The guard shook his head after he had taken Aramis' hat in his hands. "That man called out names of men, all night long." The other guards started laughing again.

"One Porthos, Athos and a Deville." The guard said with a raised eyebrow, trying to remember the names. "Oh and a Marsac, or something…"

"I will take that risk." She shrugged as she continued walking. She passed two doors that were for the guards, before she turned into a hallway. Usually the more dangerous prisoners were kept here. As she noticed the guards, there was someone new. Noticing a door that was bolt shut, that was not bolted when she was here last, she walked up to the door. The nun made a quick prayer before she unbolted the door.

Aramis shifted when he heard the door being unbolted. He had been in this dungeon for God knows how long. It was completely dark except for the small beam of light that came through the split between the bottom of the door and the stone floor. The beam of light never changed, except for when someone would walk past. There were torches along the wall, outside of the door. Where he was, he had no idea, except for the phantoms that sought to haunt him. His soldiers at Savoy…. The lovely ladies that were no more…. Aramis let out a shuddering breath as he made a cross, trying to ward off even more dark thoughts. At some point it became too hard to tell reality and dream apart. Even if he did not see his phantoms when he was awake, he could hear them whisper. Where were Athos and Porthos when he needed them?

"Monsieur?" The nun softly called. There huddled in the far corner sat a man, clearly somewhere far away in his mind. She could not blame them. It would either keep them from going insane, or make them go completely insane, far beyond the reach of help. The man shifted, before his head snapped up. "Do you have any confessions to make?"

"I have done many wrong things in my short life." Aramis started after he moved to sit on his knees. "Some of those things I do not regret, while others I do." Aramis said as he noticed that the person had come to visit was a nun.

"Why do you not regret all of them?" The nun asked as she moved closer.

"I did not want to kill the man. I was merely defending myself." Aramis said looking up at the nun. She noticed the honesty shining in the dark eyes.

"Why did you have the need to defend yourself?"

"The man was just a drunk." Aramis shook his head. "I was only having some fun with the girl that was serving me." He sighed as she scrubbed a hand over his face. "I do not know why he attacked me. I am a soldier. I robbed many men of their lives, but never did so on purpose. Always to protect myself or someone else."

"Do not fret, child of god." The nun softly said before she went to kneel before him. "God shall grant you forgiveness. Let us pray to him." Aramis nodded before he made a cross. Together Aramis and the nun prayed.

"Merci." Aramis softly said when they had finished praying.

"Would you tell me your name." The nun asked as she arose again.

"Aramis D'Herblay." He replied.

"Have faith, Aramis." She said before she walked out of the cell, bolting the door shut again. He stared at the door while he curled up in a small ball. It was the most effective way to stay warm at the moment, not that it helped to feel warm. Aramis shivered, feeling chilled to the bone.

"I am not in Savoy." Aramis softly whispered to himself. "I am not in Savoy." The cold made the dreams and memories so much more real.

.*Musketeer*.

Three days passed before the nun made it back to the prison. This time she did not come with empty hands, but with a satchel.

"Are you going to bring us food?" One of the guards asked when she walked past them.

"Not today." She said with a shrug.

"But we are hungry." The guard whined as he grasped the sleeve of her dress. "You are supposed to take care of the followers of God."

"I am doing my very best." She said as she shook of the hand. "But I cannot perform any miracles." She knew about the hunger. "I can see if I can bring you something next time. Now go and mind your own business." The young guard nodded before he went back to his position. When she turned, she found herself in the same hallway as she had been the last time. From the nearby supply store, she gathered a tin bowl. She took out a glass flask from her satchel. As she stood in front of the closed door to the prisoner, she filled the bowl with hot broth. After she lightened a candle, she unbolted the door.

"Monsieur D'Herblay?" She softly called as she stepped inside. Aramis blinked owlishly at the sudden light. Before him, the nun set down a small candle holder with a new candle and next to it a tin bowl. Aramis watched for a moment as small tendrils of smoke came from the hot broth inside of the tin bowl.

"You should eat it before it turns cold." The same soft voice said after a long moment. Aramis head snapped up. He had almost forgotten about the voice that spoke.

"Merci." Aramis found himself say as he was able to look at the person in the light the candle provided. Now he could finally properly see the young lady that had visited him before. She was dressed in a simple white-grey dress, while a small wooden cross hung on her chest. A nun, obviously. Aramis mused as he looked at her pale face and blue eyes. Her dark blond hair was tied in a low bun.

"I wish I could do more." She said as if she was the cause of his suffering, which Aramis refused to believe. He slowly shifted from the corner and picked up the tin bowl.

"You are doing a lot this very moment." Aramis replied after he took a sip from the rich tasting broth, it made his stomach growl. The guards only once had served him something that even had looked bad in the little moment the door was open.

"I am glad that I managed to lift your spirit a little." The nun made a quick prayer under her breath before she turned to the door.

"Who am I to thank for this gracious offer?" Aramis asked as a wiry smile spread over his face.

"Just thank God for sending you a guardian angel." The girl said with a little smile before she stepped outside of the cell. The light from the torches vanished and the door was bolted shut a moment later. Aramis slowly sipped the delicious broth. Ever since he had been in the dungeon he had no warmth. He savoured every single drop, and put the bowl down when it had gone cold in his hands. The warmth in his stomach luckily lasted a little longer. Aramis was very glad for the light, at least he could see something now. He settled back in the corner and watched the flame as it slightly danced in the movement of air he just created. How he was glad for the light. It felt a long time since he last fought to stay awake. It was when he had just been thrown into the dungeons. He quickly lost the fight to stay awake and benefit every little bit of light.

Aramis eyes snapped open. He had dreamed again! As his racing heart calmed and his breathing deepened, he could have slammed himself into the wall for his foolishness. He had only dreamed about the nun that had bought him a little comfort from the darkness, and the ever present cold. As Aramis stretched to relieve a little in the aching of his limbs, he managed to startle himself when a clatter came as his hand hit something. Having recovered from his startle, Aramis slowly felt his way in the darkness until he found the tin bowl and candle holder. He had not been dreaming after all. He realised as he indentified the objects.

Aramis sighed. There was still a little hope. There was always hope. Aramis reminded himself before he went to sit on his knees. He folded his hands, before starting his prayers.

.*~Musketeer~*.

Aramis had no idea how much time had passed before the door opened again. He wearily looked up from the corner, only to discover that it was the nun that came to visit, and not the guards that had come to laugh at him. "Do not fear." She softly said.

"My Guardian Angel has returned to me." Aramis replied and watched as the lady knelt before him, putting down a candleholder with a fresh candle, as well as a bowl with broth. With a little smile she produced a second candle and a piece of bread.

"You need to keep up your strength. The guards have little food themselves, so I know that if you get anything it is not something very good." She gently said as she handed over the small loaf of bread and a candle. "I hope to get you out of here soon." She whispered and took the bowl and candleholder before she stood again.

"How about the others?" Aramis asked as he bit into the fresh bread. He had heard other men scream.

"I have visited all the others, and I am going to after you. I know you are the most innocent man held down here."

"How?"

"I saw the things they took from you." She softly said, her eyes full of compassion. She remembered the blue cloak and hat. "I refuse to believe that you would kill an innocent patron."

"Merci." Aramis eventually whispered. The nun gently placed her hand on Aramis head and prayed. Aramis could not help but join into the prayer.

"Have faith." She returned before she walked to the door. Only a moment later the door was bolted shut and Aramis was alone again. Maybe there was some hope after all. Aramis mused as he picked up the bowl of broth and started to sip it. He might even have his things back. That made Aramis wonder if she knew he belonged to the King's Musketeers. Having finished his bowl of broth, he saved his bread for later. He mindlessly watched the small flame of the candle. Now there was no need for his phantoms to visit now. The warmth and light of the candle held him company.

.*~Musketeer~*.

Aramis jerked awake when suddenly outside clatters of steel came. Were Porthos and Athos finally here to get him out? Aramis stomach gave a little flutter of hope as several long moments his door was unbolted. Aramis was slightly disappointed, but still very relieved when he recognised the face of the nun.

"Quickly. I do not know how much time we have." She whispered and pulled Aramis to his feet. He cursed his own weakness as he stumbled. It was obvious that the long prison stay in the cold and with little food had weakened him. As Aramis stood outside of his cell, he noticed two guards sitting, or rather slumped against the stone walls. Both of them had a bowl of half spilled stew, loosely in their hands. The nun bolted the cell door again before she gently but firmly nudged Aramis into walking again. "A drop of poppy extract can do miracles." She whispered while a small smile graced her pale face. As Aramis followed her, he noticed several more guards along the way, that were fast asleep.

"My things?" Aramis asked as they neared the exit.

"We cannot bring them now, it is too risky." She gently said, pulling Aramis with her. When they were a little away from the prison, Aramis' legs collapsed underneath him. His chest heaved as he turned around, so he could see the clouds drift by. How was it that the little trip and a short run had managed to exhaust him? He mused to himself before the face of the lady appeared in his line of vision.

"Thank you for getting me out." Aramis breathed. After several long moments his heart stopped racing and he was able to breathe normally again.

"Get upon the horse." She said, and only then Aramis noticed the grey horse that stood beside her. "We need to leave now before they notice anything." She urged, holding out her hand to pull Aramis to his feet yet again. His legs were still shaking from the effort of running and adrenaline that still rushed through his veins. Aramis swung himself into his saddle with practised ease. It was only a moment before he lady sat behind him, taking the reins from his hands. "Hold on now." She whispered, the hot breath tickling his neck. Aramis had just enough time to grasp the saddle before the horse sprang forward.

After a short ride, in the distance a small village appeared. As they neared the village, the nun let the horse walk. As every single person greeted her, Aramis got the impression she was well known. Only a moment later, a church appeared before them. "Stay on the horse." She gently said before she stopped the horse and slid away from him. After she had straitened her dress, she lead the horse by its bridle. The convent. Aramis mused as they walked past the church and she knocked in the gate a little away from it.

"Bonjour Lis." The brother that opened the door greeted as soon as he recognised the figure.

"Salut frère Floris." Lis greeted with a smile and walked inside as soon as brother Floris had opened the door wide enough. "You may get out of the saddle now." Lis said as they stood in the middle of the courtyard, after brother Floris had closed the gate.

"Too bad, I was just getting comfortable." Aramis said with a little smile, before he let himself slide from the saddle.

"Go and take care of our guest. I will take care of the horse." Brother Floris said before he took the bridle.

"Merci." The nun said with a little smile before she led Aramis through a small door, inside. "Welcome to the convent of the holy Saint Barbara."

"Barbara?" Aramis questioned as he followed her through the hallway, before she entered what looked like a dining hall.

"Not far from here there is a quarry, where most of the men from our village work." Lis explained as she bustled around. A moment later there was a pitcher with water on the table, as well as some bread and chunk of cheese. "Go ahead, eat." Aramis gratefully sank down on the wooden bench.

"I am very grateful for your help." Aramis said before he took a bite from the bread.

"I am glad."

"How long have I been down there?"

"No more than two weeks." Lis replied.

"It felt like a lot longer."

"It is hard to track time in complete darkness." Lis agreed. She watched as Aramis took another bite from his bread. "Soeur Justine." Lis smiled as an elderly nun walked through the door.

"I knew I would find you here." She gently said and walked up to the table. "The children of today are always hungry." She scolded. "Is this the lad you told me about?" She asked as she eyed Aramis.

"Justine, this is Aramis. Aramis, this is Justine." Lis introduced.

"It is a honour meet you, Madame." Aramis said while he lightly bent his head. Justine gave Lis a 'I knew so' look before she spoke again.

"I prepared a hot bath for our guest."

"Merci." Lis said before Aramis could. "Would you like to finish eating first?"

"I would rather go and bathe first." Aramis said as he glanced from the elderly nun to the younger nun and back.

"I shall take you there." Justine said, motioning for Aramis to follow. Aramis silently followed as they walked back through the same door as they had entered, except they now went further up the hallway, before taking the stairs to the next floor. "Here you go. Lis will bring you some clean clothes in a moment." She said as she stopped before a door.

"Merci." Aramis said while he gave the lady a charming smile. After she turned to go back, Aramis opened the door to the room. True to her words, in the middle of the room stood a wooden tub, filled with hot water. Aramis quickly stripped of his dirty clothes. When he found a small piece of soap, he lowered himself into the tub. Aramis sighed when the hot water soothed his sore muscles. There was nothing better than a hot bath after a long day of hard work, or two weeks in prison that is.

After a moment Aramis set out to scrub himself clean. Only when the water had turned cold, Aramis got out and dried himself. Aramis wrapped the towel around his waist before he walked up to the door. As he glanced outside, he found a small pile of what he assumed where clean clothes for him to wear. As Aramis inspected the clothes, he found that it was about the same thing that brother Floris wore. After a moment he started to dress himself. It was always better than the filthy things that he had been dressed in before his bath.

"Look at you, you will fit right in." Aramis heard a voice call when he stepped into the hallway. "I had almost feared you had fallen sleep in the tub." Lis smiled as she walked up to him. "I have finished preparing your room."

"Merci. I had not expected such attire." Aramis said as he sent the lady a smile.

"I am glad you like it." Lis responded as she lead Aramis to his room. "As a brother of the convent you will be safe in here. Rest and regain your strength before you go back to your home."

"I am grateful for your help." Aramis said as he bent his head.

"Then go and rest now. Today has been quite an eventful day." Lis said with a little smile. "If you need anything, you can ask anyone. There are only brothers sleeping along this hallway. I shall ask Floris if he will awaken you for breakfast tomorrow. Have a good night."

"Merci. Have a good night yourself." Aramis responded before he opened the door to what would become his room. The room was something he had known but not hoped for. The most light came from a candle that stood on a small table next to the bed. Besides that, only a chair and a small cross against the wall were there. Aramis pulled the tunic and scapula over his head and threw it over the chair. The bed gave a soft creak when Aramis sat down. It would be a lot better than the stone floor. Aramis mused before he pulled the covers down. Even before his head hit the pillow, Aramis was fast asleep.

-A/N Please tell me what you think! I will make Lis my re-occurring character. The beloved brothers of Aramis will appear in the second chapter!-