Ch. 2
Athos took off his doublet folded it and gently put it under Aramis's head. He was glad that his fried was still breathing and prayed for him. They need to get him really fast to the doctor. Blood lost was obvious. He just hoped it all was from that broken leg and not from any internal injury. That would mean death for his brother.
"Porthos, we have to bandage his leg. Keep him still"
Athos gently lifted Aramis's leg and carefully bandaged it. Aramis was all time quite only few moans were coming from his lips. Athos worked slowly he didn't want hurt him more.
"You need to go and find Treville. We will need more people to help us with transferring him. Maybe stretcher would be good and carriage"
Porthos looked at Athos like he wasn't prepare for leaving his friend.
"I will take care of him. I promise. GO"
As soon as Porthos left he felt something he hasn't felt in a long time. He felt pure fear. He imagined every possible aftermaths. The leg looked really bad and Athos didn't want to imagine Aramis without it. If he loses his leg it will destroy him. Musketeer without leg.
No it's not going to happen. Athos swore. He was panicking inside. Somewhere he knew that this is not going to end good for his friend.
"Captain, captain" Porthos shouted from far.
Treville was with queen and king to make sure himself that everything is OK. He was nervous about Aramis. He desperately wanted to know how he is but king is more important than musketeer. Fortunately king and every other courtiers were saved and enemy was killed. They were prepared to escorted king and queen to the palace when he heard Porthos's shouting.
"Captain, Aramis is seriously injured. He is badly bruised and his ribs and leg are broken. We need more men to help us with him and we need to get him to the doctor. Really fast."
Treville immediately noticed it is very serious. Porthos was shaking and his eyes were a little bit red from crying.
D'artagnan stood there with Constance in hug. He was happy that Constance was uninjured and free but as soon as he saw Porthos he knew that something is seriously wrong. When he saw Aramis falling from the window his heart stopped. He knew than nobody could survive such horrible fall. So when he was told that Aramis is alive he couldn't believe it.
"We have to get king and queen to the palace, Porthos. I cannot give you more men. I will send one man to the garrison and he will return with help" assured Treville
"It will be late." Porthos urged. "Aramis needs help right now. He is in shock and loosing blood. He won't make it for such long time."
Treville was desperate. He loved Aramis like he was his own son but king's save is priority here.
"It's OK captain. I think we have enough men to take us safely to the palace." Queen heard it all. She thanks to God when she found out that Aramis is alive. She couldn't imagine life without him. He was everything for her and she wanted just get out of her carriage run to him and squeeze his hands. Tell him that she and his son are uninjured but she couldn't. She had to be here next to her king and husband.
"Aramis tried to save us before he was thrusted from the window. If is anything here I can do for him I will do it."
"You are generous yours Majesty but…"
"No but, Treville. I am your queen and I am telling you we have enough men for us and for Aramis" she said it more desperately than she wanted but she was so scared. She fight with herself. She didn't want to start crying. Not here. She waits into her rooms and then she will cry for her lover.
"My darling you are obviously upset. We should go now. You need rest as well as our son does." King said.
"You are right my king. I am upset. I apologies for my manners."
"Help is coming Aramis don't worry. You will be soon in the bed and free of pain." Athos gently smoothed Aramis's hair. When he saw Porthos Treville and few other men he was relieved. He needed something to do not just sit here and think.
"Any changes?" Porthos worriedly asked and knelt next to his friend's shaking body.
"No. At least he doesn't feel pain when he is unconsciousness"
Treville stood there and couldn't believe his eyes. Man before him couldn't be Aramis. He looked up and don't understand how he could survive it. It was fall from third level window. But Aramis was Aramis. He is fighter he is used to make everything.
"I have send Pierre to garrison. They will returne with cart. I have also alerted a doctor. He awaits us"
They were waiting there about 10 minutes. Suddenly there were musketeers with cart. It was the longest 10 minutes in their lives. Time was ticking. During those 10 minutes Aramis became paler. Bandage on his leg soaked by blood and his breathing became more labored and fast.
"Finally you are here" Treville greeted them.
"We need to get Aramis carefully on and go to the garrison." Athos instructed
Every man took carefully one part of Aramis's body and gently laid him on prepared blankets. Porthos jumped on cart too and lifted his friend's head.
"We are going home mon ami" and kissed his forehead.
Road was full of potholes and roughness. It was painful for Aramis's broken body but Porthos was with him all the time and prayed for his friend. He was little nervous because his frined wasn't waking up. His eyes stayed closed for all travel.
Athos rode next to his friends. His eyes still on his friend. His mind racing. He couldn't understand how this could happen. I should have gone with them. I should have been there and protected them. He didn't go just because Anne was there with king and he didn't want to see her. If I have known, I promise, I'd go with you. It's my fault. If you die mon ami I will never forgive myself. Athos was frightened to death but he has to be strong.
When they entered garrison the doctor was already waiting for them.
"I was told that one Musketeer is badly wounded" doctor didn't introduce himself and immediately jumped on cart.
"He fell from window. I checked him up and found nasty looking bump on his temple also broken and bruised ribs. Look on his right leg it is mess."
"He is horribly pale. Let's get him inside and I will examine him."
