Under Suspicion
By: MusketeerAdventure
Summary: This takes place during the season two episode, The Accused. This is my take on, that in between space of time, where after d'Artagnan is beaten and before Constance is rescued.
Aramis was arrested; Dr. Lemay dead; and Constance imprisoned for the attempted assassination of the King. What else could happen?
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How was he to get d'Artagnan out of this chaos of what had once been the home of their monarch?
Now, it had become a battleground, where a standoff between the Red Guards and the Musketeers commenced. It was ironic that both entities had sworn to protect the King and his family from assassins and insurgents; and at present the Musketeers were treated as the insurrectionaries.
The room was suffocating. The Red Guard outnumbering them ten to one, causing the heat in the room to rise; and tensions to escalate.
Rochefort could be heard spewing accusations with a hint of mirth and a touch of madness. His unfounded and or unproven suspicions hurled like gunfire. It had all gone to hell.
The Queen, taken before their eyes, accused of treason – while the King sat in hiding shrinking from his duties and responsibilities, leaving Rochefort to spread insanity in his name.
Aramis was arrested; Dr. Lemay dead; and Constance imprisoned for the attempted assassination of the King. Rochefort's accusations of Constance seemed to throw d'Artagnan into a tailspin.
What else could happen?
Athos looked over the sea of Red Guards before him, weapons pointed at the ready. Beside him stood d'Artagnan, crazed with worry and rage, ready to move through the wave of soldiers; his hand raised defending Constance. Athos could tell he was preparing to do battle, and would die here if he let things go too far. So, he grabbed and pulled on him, attempting to exit, and thought he might have to kill someone just to get them out.
d'Artagnan would not cooperate. He tried to extricate himself and go back. His eyes sparked murder and he knew his target was Rochefort.
But he took a handful of d'Artagnan's coat and shirt, and gripped hard – pushing him out and away, insisting, "We must go, before it is too late."
He continued to manhandle d'Artagnan and practically dragged him by the front of his shirt down the stairs and out into the open court yard. d'Artagnan seethed at him, trembled under his grasp, and cursed at him, attempting to loosen the grip. Athos held firm; this was not where their lives would end today.
The relative quiet of the outdoors was disconcerting. When he let go, d'Artagnan tried to move past him, his hand pulling at the hilt of his sword. Anger had taken hold of him.
Athos worried that if he went back in, he would not come out. Rochefort would have won. His plan to bring them low; the inseparables taken down in one blow, would give the man satisfaction. There was no doubt, he would reenter the palace and die at d'Artagnan's side, if he chose to override him and go back in. "I will kill him!" d'Artagnan shouted, moving back toward the stairs.
Athos stood in front of his fury and would not back down, pointing his finger into d'Artagnan's chest, piercing at his heart. He had to convince him, "You will regret this!" he yelled back. d'Artagnan shook his head no, and went to evade him.
He grabbed his shirt again, holding tight, "Constance. It is Constance you must see to now. If you do not take this chance to go see her, you may not get another."
d'Artagnan stopped his surge forward and removed his hand from the hilt of his sword, and curled his hands into fists. He could not think. He looked to Athos, who stared back at him, breathing hard. What was he to do? Rochefort could not be allowed to live. He condemned his life to death – and he to a living hell. Without Constance, he was nothing. Without Aramis, the inseparables would be no more, and he could not live with that.
Athos shook him slightly, and sought out his eyes, asking him to trust him. He knew he must turn the tide here, before he lost all of his brothers.
d'Artagnan took a deep and shuddering breath, and nodded finally in agreement. Yes, he must see to Constance. Athos was right. He must see her, and find a way to save her from certain death.
Athos removed his hand from the folds of his coat and shirt and clamped his hands down on his shoulders, "Let us go see her", he spoke softly. He moved away slowly and started for the path toward the holding cells, trusting d'Artagnan to come.
d'Artagnan stared up the palace stairs, torn between murderous rage, and seeing Constance. After a beat, he swiftly turned to follow.
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When they reached the outside of the prison grounds, Athos turned to his young friend, and held up his hand to hold him at bay, "Stay with me d'Artagnan", he instructed. "We will go in together." He wasn't sure how far they would get, but together, they stood a chance to see Constance without incident.
d'Artagnan had nodded at his orders, but his eyes were already gone – locked on the path to the prison to see Constance.
At the gate, Athos requested to see Constance Bonacieux. They were relieved of their weapons and the guard pointed out the area where Constance was being held. "You're not to go in, but you can see her from there", he commanded. And there, behind the iron at knee level, stood Constance staring out at them from below, holding onto the bars with a grip so tight, the whites of her knuckles stood out from this distance.
Athos nodded that he understood, and he and d'Artagnan began to walk in side by side.
And then it all crumbled. As they approached and moved closer, Constance began to scream d'Artagnan's name. Her pain and terror could be heard clearly.
d'Artagnan left his side and ran full speed to reach down to her outstretched hands. Athos tried to catch his arm, but to no avail. Once the guards took notice, two of them grabbed at Athos and pushed him back toward the entrance. When he tried to retaliate, they pulled their swords and pistols and pushed him out of the prison yard. He called to d'Artagnan, but Constance's terror was drowning him out.
He could see ahead d'Artagnan fighting off two of the Red Guards and sliding to his knees, grabbing on to Constance's hands. He could not understand what they were saying but heard her fear and d'Artagnan's urgency.
The guards pulled on d'Artagnan to get him away, but he had taken on superhuman strength, unwilling to let her go.
It took several of them to bring him away. But he would not stop reaching for her, and calling out to her. So they brought him down to the ground with all of the force they could muster. He fought wildly, in turn fueling their anger.
As they beat him about the back and torso, he screamed out his love for Constance, and promised to save her. When he would not stop yelling for her, they hit him about the face, and kicked him mercilessly in the ribs. Blood ran from his nose, mouth and ears as they punched him again and again. His head was ringing, but he could not stop fighting for her.
Athos heard the blows from where he stood outside the yard, staring down the men who held him at sword and gun point.
Then it was quiet. An unnatural vacuum descended. Athos held his breath. The air did not stir.
Suddenly he heard Constance scream d'Artagnan's name over and over. Her wailing pierced the stillness, the vacuum opened and sound crashed around them.
He went to move, but was held back, one sword point nicking his coat and piercing through his tunic, drawing blood.
One of the guards left from the yard, and approached him through the gate, "Go in and get him", he wheezed, as he wiped blood from his mouth. "And keep him away from here. She is to be executed tomorrow at dawn."
When he turned away, weapons were lowered, and he was pushed through the gate.
d'Artagnan lay sprawled at his feet, where they had dragged and dropped him like unwanted litter.
He fell to his knees, and looked down at his friend, not sure if he should touch him. Constance continued to scream with hysterical, out of control fear and concern. She must think him dead. He was so still.
Guards walked past them, continuing to deliver blows and kicks down on d'Artagnan as they walked by. Athos leaned over him to protect his prone form, receiving blows to his back and shoulders. He looked to each of these men and memorized their faces as they passed by – a plan of action already forming in his mind.
He could then hear d'Artagnan groaning beneath him. "Thank God", he whispered and touched his hair, afraid to touch anywhere else.
A cart and horse appeared in his vision and a Red Guard hopped down to kneel at his side – "The Lady DeWinter has sent me to take you from here."
Athos looked to the man in amazement, but did not question his declaration. "Help me then." They both stood and between them carried d'Artagnan to the cart and placed him at the back. There, Athos could see their weapons among the hay. He jumped to d'Artagnan's side and the guard took to the seat and urged the horse out of the yard.
"I'll take you where you want to go, and then I must leave you", he yelled over his shoulder.
Athos nodded and directed him to his lodgings. As they rode through the streets of Paris, Athos looked down at d'Artagnan and wondered at this turn of events. He had meant only to keep d'Artagnan safe, to see Constance, and find a way to release her.
What would he have done if this man had not shown up when he did? How was it that his wife had her hand in every aspect of palace life? He was grateful for her forward thinking and that she saw every opportunity, before it even presented itself.
d'Artagnan lay unmoving beside him, battered and bloodied – Constance's screams echoing in his head. He needed his brothers. He needed Aramis' steadiness and skill. He needed Porthos' strength and will. His gift was to act; but now he must attend to d'Artagnan and plan.
He stopped the man as they reached his lodgings, pulled d'Artagnan to the edge of the cart and placed him across his aching shoulders and back. He gathered their weapons and turned away from the cart.
It then took off, leaving him standing with d'Artagnan on the street before his residence. Curious on lookers and passer byes stared at him, pointing and whispering.
It was slow moving up the steps to his rooms with d'Artagnan's dead weight. He heard no sound from his friend, and feared his injuries must be severe. Did he do right by bringing him here?
It was too late for second guessing now.
Once at his door, he pushed in, swinging d'Artagnan onto his pallet, adjusting his limbs, pushing back his hair, and surveying the damage to his face.
He was not Aramis, but he knew where to begin. He removed his coat and threw it aside, and began to remove d'Artagnan's coat and then his shirt.
The damage was extensive, bruising across his rib cage, back and shoulders. He had cuts, bruises and blood on his face. Athos felt through his hair and found a lump at the back of his head. Nothing felt broken to him, as he palpated his ribs; felt down his arms and examined his legs.
He reached for a cloth and his ever present bucket of water, and began to wipe the blood from d'Artagnan's nose, mouth and ears. A groan escaped his lips and Athos let out a breath of relief. He stilled his hand and waited.
d'Artagnan frowned, but remained unconscious. After a moment he washed the blood from a cut at his hair line, lifted his head and placed the cool cloth at the back of his head, where he felt the lump.
d'Artagnan hissed in a breath, groaned and opened his eyes, blinking slowly.
Athos stared down at him, touching his chest, gauging his awareness.
d'Artagnan moved his head slowly, eyes adjusting to the room, understanding beginning to take hold, and Athos felt his body tense, and his heart beat race. Athos pressed his hand firmly down on his chest, and spoke with authority, "You are in my rooms. Constance is imprisoned. We will retrieve her in short order."
d'Artagnan stared straight into his eyes, relaxed, and then fell into unconsciousness once again. The unconditional trust in that brief exchange almost derailed him.
Athos sat for a moment and wondered at his promise. He made d'Artagnan as comfortable as he could and began to formulate his plan for rescue. He would not let him down. He knew d'Artagnan would not survive without Constance. If she were to die, this boy would be lost to him. He must plan to rescue two people by noon tomorrow.
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As time passed, Athos lit candles and tried to chase the darkness into the corners. Soon, Constance would be sent to her death.
Athos was anxious and uncertain of what he was doing. He had given d'Artagnan one of Aramis' mixtures for pain, but was not sure it was helping.
He had sent a neighbor's son to find Treville.
d'Artagnan lay on the pallet, and when not groaning in pain, he called for Constance, attempting to rise in his semi-conscious state to find her. After his last attempt, Athos held him down and promised, "We will bring her out."
d'Artagnan then lay back, breathing hard, trying to curl in on himself, but too overcome with pain to complete the act. Should he make more mixture? Should he send for a physician? Should he wait for Treville? He settled on more mixture, and lifted d'Artagnan's head to help him drink.
When d'Artagnan appeared finally at ease, he reached for his neck and felt natural warmth. He then felt for his life pulse, and his heart beat strong. Out of habit, he pushed his hair back from his face and felt his tension lighten with release. He then worked to put on d'Artagnan a clean shirt.
His limbs were limp and heavy, but once he was dressed, Athos looked down on him, and felt the crisis coming to an end. His choices had been correct. d'Artagnan was pale, but breathing the natural sounds of sleep.
To stop his brain from dwelling on his worry for his brothers he focused on his plan to rescue Constance. It was simple enough. But in order for it to succeed, he needed help. He needed Treville, and he needed d'Artagnan to be on his feet.
As he sat on the edge of the pallet, he placed his head in his hands, and listened as d'Artagnan dreamed. Watching him in distress pained him. He grasped d'Artagnan's hand and squeezed tight. He wished his brothers were here with him now. He felt incomplete without them, and not quite himself. And d'Artagnan needed him to be himself.
He took a cleansing breath, and attempted to calm his mind by bringing up the faces of the men who had beaten d'Artagnan. He had memorized their faces, and swore now, that part of his plan was to bring those particular men to justice for what they had done.
Then he heard the knock at the door, and opening it was relieved to see his Captain. Treville hurriedly strode into the room, and took in the situation, and Athos' demeanor. They held each other's forearms in greeting. "How are you? How is d'Artagnan?" he asked, as Athos closed the door behind him.
Athos bowed his head, and took strength from his Captain's presence, "He is battered, and in pain. I am not Aramis, but I believe he will recover."
They sat together at the only table, and Treville told him of Aramis, held along with Constance within the bowels of the prison. "They are holding up, despite the circumstances."
The situation was dire. He was called to meet with Rochefort on tomorrow, and be a witness to Constance's execution – his loyalty being called into question. The King was absent and in effect placing Rochefort in the seat of power.
Athos listened, and after a pause, shared his plan to rescue Constance.
Treville raised an eyebrow, "That is bold and ambitious - we three against practically the whole of the Red Guard."
Athos nodded at the assessment.
"And you think this will work?" Treville insisted.
Athos searched his Captain's face, "It must."
Treville sighed, "Then it will."
From the pallet, d'Artagnan rolled to his side, groaning and holding tight to his ribs. He took a breath and lifted himself to place his feet to the floor. Noticing the candle light, he peered through the dark spaces. "What is the hour?" he asked, his voice hoarse with calling out in his sleep.
Athos went to sit at his side, "Six hours before dawn."
d'Artagnan closed his eyes, "I did see her?" he asked uncertainly.
Athos nodded, "Yes."
d'Artagnan hitched in a breath, "I dreamed she was dead, and I thought all I had left was revenge."
Treville interjected, "She is alive, and Athos has a plan." He walked to the pallet and squeezed d'Artagnan's shoulder. "I will leave you to hear it, and will meet with you soon. Know that Constance will join us. We will bring her to safety."
d'Artagnan reached up and held onto Treville's hand, "Thank you Captain." The gratitude was heartfelt, and Treville squeezed his shoulder the harder for it.
Treville then exited quietly, leaving the two men seated side by side.
d'Artagnan turned his head to take in his friend, "Your plan", he pressed.
As Athos explained his plan of disguise, misdirection, and precision, d'Artagnan nodded with complete confidence in his friend's ability to strategize and to act.
He felt this would work. Athos was a genius. He trusted him completely.
Athos looked to his friend and studied him closely, "This will only work if we follow the plan as I have set it. We must not deviate." He pierced d'Artagnan with a steely gaze. "We must stick with the plan. Every move we make depends on the action before it."
d'Artagnan understood what he was saying. He must not take his chance at felling Rochefort. He must keep his heart in check. There would be another chance, another opportunity.
"The plan is to rescue Constance", Athos reiterated.
"I understand Athos, and I will follow your every order", he pledged to his friend.
"And I swear to you that we will all come out of this alive."
Athos then leaned back and examined his friend closely, noticing the lines of pain around his eyes, and the way he clutched at his ribs, "Can you stand?" he queried.
d'Artagnan pushed himself up from the pallet. Once on his feet he swayed slightly, and locked his knees. He looked down at his brother, gave a curt nod, and answered, "I can ride too."
Athos nodded back. His admiration for d'Artagnan's courage swelled his heart. He would do anything for him and forgo his own life if need be.
In a few hours they would leave here, rescue Constance, and run for their lives. He would stop at nothing to reunite his brothers. They would be outlaws, under suspicion for treason. But he would be undeterred. His duty was to his brothers and to France.
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Thank you for reading! Please review. I like hearing what you think.
