Disclaimer: I own nothing related to the Musketeers.
To Sleep
By: Vanessa Sgroi
Exhaustion pulled hard at every limb. D'Artagnan rubbed at the back of his neck and shuffled slowly toward his horse. Biting back a yawn, he rested his forehead against the horse's neck for a moment, working up the energy to swing up into the saddle.
"Are you all right, d'Artagnan?" queried Aramis from atop his mount.
Lifting his head, d'Artagnan mumbled, "I am f-" A massive yawn interrupted his reassurance. "I am fine. Just beyond tired."
Aramis eyed him skeptically. "Not injured?"
D'Artagnan lifted a hand. "No, no. Not injured." He pulled himself into his saddle.
"You'll forgive my skepticism, I trust?" Aramis smiled. "Given past experience, mind you."
Before d'Artagnan could reply, Athos and Porthos rode up and joined them. Athos glanced at d'Artagnan who sat slumped low in his saddle. He shifted his gaze to Aramis. "What is wrong with him? Is he injured?"
"In my esteemed opinion, exhaustion. Nothing a hot meal and a warm bed won't cure."
Athos nudged his horse closer to the younger man. "We have a ways to travel yet. Will you make it, lad?"
"I'll..." d'Artagnan yawned so hard his jaw cracked. "I'll make it."
"We could always tie him to his saddle," intoned Porthos, amusement coloring his voice.
At that d'Artagnan perked up and straightened. "What? No! There will be no tying, thank you very much! I'm fine."
Porthos laughed outright. "You must admit, it would be efficient."
D'Artagnan tossed him a grouchy glare from beneath floppy bangs, looking for all the world like a ill-tempered five-year-old. He hid another yawn behind a clenched fist. "Efficient? I will show you efficient." He kneed his horse forward into a slow trot.
Watching him go, Athos leaned over to Aramis. "How long do you give him?"
Aramis studied the younger man as he rode away. He raised an eyebrow and contemplatively scratched at his beard. "No more than a half hour."
Athos nodded. "Stubborn that one. Let us all ride close to him then. And if he starts to fall, for Heaven's sake, catch him. We will make camp as soon as some of that stubborness wears away."
The three men started after d'Artagnan.
"I still say we should tie him to his saddle. I swear, I wouldn't tie him too tight!"