A/N: So, it's been almost maybe four years since I've written fanfiction so I'm sorry if I'm rusty. Also, this is what happens when you are looking for Disney's The Three Musketeers and come across bbc The Musketeers. I've never seen the episodes (sadly I don't have bbc America) and I'm waiting for my DVD to arrive when it comes out so all I have are everyone's awesome stories to go by and what Youtube has. So if anyone can direct me in the right direction so I know more about the show, characters and episodes that might help me, I will give you a cookie.
A/N 2: Also, since I haven't seen the episodes and I know that d'Artagnan becomes a Musketeer later on but can we all pretend that he's still in training to becoming a Musketeer? Just for the story? Thank you.
Disclaimer: The Musketeers belong to bbc. No me :(
"You know, I'm not sure what the meaning of a week of relaxation is in Gascony but here it means no trouble," Athos grinned, watching as Aramis poked around the bullet wound on their youngest shoulder. Captain Treville had called them in a few hours ago and pretty much ordered them to take a week away from the garrison and away from the Cardinal.
"It means that ever since I've gotten in with you guys there has been nothing but trouble for me," d'Artagnan said threw clenched teeth. Of course of all days the bandits had to pick today to start an ambush. It was a small group and everyone seemed to have made it out okay in the end when the bandits ran off until on bandit that had left, came running back and just shot the first person in his line of vision, which happened to have been d'Artagnan. Needless to say, said bandit never made it back to his buddies.
"Well, I'll need to get the bullet out but I would rather do it somewhere clean and I think Captain Treville said the house is close to where we are now," Aramis said, smiling as he picked up the bandages Porthos had brought over for him and started to wrap the wound. He made sure it was tight and helped d'Artagnan put his jacket back on before getting him to his feet.
"You okay to ride?" Porthos asked, ready to offer him a ride on his horse.
"Yeah. The faster we get to the house, the faster this blasted bullet can get out of my shoulder and I can finally beat Athos."
"Even on your best of days, d'Artagnan, will that never happen," Athos laughed, making sure his friend got on his horse alright before getting on his. He looked around and felt the wind pick up a little. "Captain said it was a few hours ride from here so I think we might be getting close." He took off in the front, knowing Aramis and Porthos would make sure d'Artagnan stayed in front of them. They didn't need anything else happening to the boy until they got that bullet out.
"So now that we are away from ears, why did the captain order us away?" Porthos asked.
"All I heard in his grumbling was all the crap we've been through we need to get away before we scare off all the new recruits that are coming this week," Aramis said with a grin. "I'm actually going to miss training the new recruits."
"Surely you guys can't be that bad," d'Artagnan said, being a new recruit himself and yet somehow, he was ordered to go with them on this mini vacation.
"Heavens no," Aramis said. "My boy, we are the best teachers ever."
"Yes, if you call Porthos sending five recruits to the infirmary the first day they arrived. One had four broken ribs, one left with less teeth in his mouth, two ended up with a broken leg, and the last had a broken hand." Athos said.
"What of you?" Porthos said back. "The very first recruit that trained with Athos there was seen shaking in the corner with his hands and face all cut up from the sword."
"Poor guy didn't stand a chance. He couldn't even go on the defense with how fast Athos was swinging his sword," Aramis added in. "I think the next day when Captain Treville asked who wanted to spar with Athos the entire group stepped back and refused."
"If they think an enemy is going to go easy on them then they were wrong," Athos said, defending himself.
"What about you Aramis?"
"He made those men try to shoot the targets from the oddest areas around the garrison. He had them feet away from the target and they never got close. Then he took them out into the woods, set up a target in a clearing and told them a good Musketeer can hit the target with obstacles in the way and had them go into the woods and made them try to hit the target through a tree," Porthos laughed.
d'Artagnan shook his head and laughed. He can see how the captain wanted them out while the new recruits were being trained. "So does that mean I'm here because he wanted someone to keep an eye on you three?"
"Please. You're here because he doesn't want to see us train you in our own special way," Aramis said, riding up to d'Artagnan and patting him on the shoulder. "This week, we're going to train you the right way so by the end of the month you will be an official Musketeer."
"I thought being shot made it official?" d'Artagnan asked, moving his arm a little to get feeling back in it but winced when it pulled on the wound.
"You're half way there," Athos said, pulling his horse to a stop. "I think that's it." He pointed to a large house in the distance, away from all the paths and surrounded by trees. He could see a barn and what could be a shed.
"Very nice," Porthos said. He took off in front of the three, laughing as he called them slow over his shoulder. The three just looked at one another and urged their horses to go after Porthos. It was a rather long run but in the end, Athos had won.
"Well, that was a rather fun ride but I think d'Artagnan will feel much better with that bullet out of his shoulder," Aramis said, getting off his horse and handing it over to Porthos. He griped d'Artagnan by the elbow and led him into the house. Luckily the house was furnished and he had d'Artagnan sit at the table while he pulled his medical kit out of his bag.
"Not a bad place," d'Artagnan said, looking around. The house had a small kitchen, which Captain Treville said was stocked with fresh food, a living room and family room. He saw the stairs going up so he hoped they all get separate rooms. He gasped when Aramis started cleaning the wound with some alcohol. "Damn it to hell."
"Language," Aramis smirked. "I think you've been spending too much time with Porthos at the bar."
"Just wait until we play cards."
For that, Aramis dumped more alcohol on the wound, laughing at the colorful language that was coming out of their young companions mouth that would put his mother to shame. He looked up when the door opened and in came Athos and Porthos with the rest of their bags. "Ah, right on time."
"Fun part begins then," Porthos laughed, rubbing his hands. They've all be on the receiving end of Aramis digging bullets out of them and no matter how tough you are, you need someone to hold you still.
"Yes, and we are having a talk about the language you're teaching our young boy," Aramis said. He waited until Porthos held d'Artagnan down in the chair by the shoulders and dug the dagger into the wound, feeling for the bullet.
"Holy hell you son of a bitch!" d'Artagnan gasped, trying to get away from the hands that kept him in the line of Aramis. Since he couldn't get up his hand automatically went to push Aramis away but leave it to Athos, who seemed to know what was going to happen before it happened, had already grabbed his hands.
"You weren't joking," Athos grinned. He watched Aramis reached and pulled the bullet out of the wound. Before d'Artagnan could calm down he cleaned the wound with alcohol once more.
"Now for the stitching," Aramis said, getting his needle and thread. He watched as Athos moved around the kitchen, opening cabinets and heard glass clinking together before a bottle of wine was in his face. Taking a swing he handed it to d'Artagnan and began to stitch the wound. Porthos didn't need to hold him down for this.
"There's a barn, shed, and well out back," Porthos said. "Horses are fed and watered so it's nothing but relaxation."
"Looks like a storm is coming in too," Athos said, walking around the family room. "Heard thunder so it won't be long now."
"Not like I do much anyway," d'Artagnan said, wincing with each stitch. "What about rooms upstairs?"
Porthos took the stairs two at a time and looked around, hand on his pistol. Just because the captain told them no one was there, didn't mean it was going to be empty. There were three rooms, one bed in two of them and two small beds in the other, and walked down the steps. "Two will have to share but it's separate beds."
"What about food?" Aramis asked, finishing his stitching.
"Firewood in the other room and a pot as well," Athos said. "Since Porthos knows how to make the best stew, he's in charge of cooking." He watched as Porthos smiled and grabbed what he needed for the stew and walked into the other room to get cooking. He was about to follow when a door caught his eye. They've checked outside and Porthos checked upstairs so that left this door they missed. He walked over and tried to open it but it didn't open.
"Locked?" d'Artagnan asked, walking up behind Athos.
"Yeah. We'll find a way down later."
That night, the storm finally hit, the rain coming down in sheets and lightning striking every two seconds. The four of them where sitting at the table, stomachs full of food and now in a "friendly" game of cards.
"Porthos, I sear if you are cheating I will throw you down that well," Aramis said, watching as Porthos took most of his coins once again. Athos still had a few left and whatever Porthos didn't win, d'Artagnan took. "That goes for you too, d'Artagnan." He frowned at the innocent look d'Artagnan gave him.
"Not to worry Aramis," Athos said, looking at his cards. "We already have to save Porthos from the noose when he cheats and there is no way in hell am I going to save d'Artagnan so when we get to the garrison, you two are no longer allowed out unless you're with one of us."
"Oh yes, leave Aramis alone with the boy for an hour and you'll be saving him from an angry husband in no time," Porthos said.
"He's already pushing that," Athos said, laying a card down.
"Not as bad as Aramis," d'Artagnan said, defending himself. He folded when Porthos raised the bet. He looked up when he thought he heard footsteps upstairs. Since they've started the game, he's been hearing footsteps above them but his friends haven't said anything so he just kept it quiet.
"You okay?" Aramis asked.
"Yeah. Trying to keep my mind off my shoulder." To prove his point, he tried to move his arm to the table, wincing.
Aramis nodded but he knew something else was bothering d'Artagnan but they all learned that when d'Artagnan isn't ready to talk, it's best to wait until he comes to you. A few more hands and Porthos came out as the winner. "Well, my friends, this day has been the best but I must bid thee farewell and retire to a nice bed."
The group nodded in agreement and after blowing all the candles out they headed upstairs. It was decided that they would all take turns in each room. With d'Artagnan's shoulder he thought it best to be in one of the small beds so he didn't roll around as much. Aramis said he would stay in the same room as d'Artagnan incase he needed anything and to make sure he didn't get an infection. Porthos took one of the large beds and Athos took the other. Once they've all settle in for the night, they all seemed to have fallen asleep. Except for d'Artagnan. He just lay there and for some reason stared at the closet door in front of his bed. His shoulder ached and finally what seemed like hours he felt himself doze off but just as he closed his eyes, he swore he saw the closet door open.