I have returned! I've survived A Levels and I will have more time to write now. So, I am starting with the next instalment of the Eurovision fics. This is inspired by the entry 'City Lights' from Belgium. I love this song and I hope you enjoy the fic. Enjoy!
There were two things that d'Artagnan was aware of as he came to. One: He hurt. Two: It was damned wet in here, wherever here was. He pushed himself to his feet gingerly, moaning a little as his various injuries made themselves known. He startled a little, as he realised that one of his feet was bound to the ground.
The walls were high, too high for him to climb. He sighed, he was going to have to wait for the others to find him, again. Aramis and Porthos had taken it in turns to protest, jokingly, that he was getting caught too much recently. An issue that he was, currently, inclined to believe them on.
He shook his head, trying to organise his thoughts. It was clear that whoever had manacled him to the bottom of this pit did not want him getting out. The stone walls surrounded him on all sides and he could see the dim light of dusk peering in through the grate that covered the top of his prison; a well, then.
He tried to find a foothold on the walls, only to fall back down, having forgotten about the chain around his ankle. He rubbed at the sore skin beneath the manacle, gazing at the water that sloshed at his feet. He could have sworn that the water had not been this high. He stood in alarm, watching the water intently. There was no doubt.
The water was rising.
He began to panic, searching the wall for a rock; if he could not untie himself, he was going to die. He ran his hand along the walls quickly, almost shouting for joy when a piece of the rock came free. He knelt down, alarmed that the water had almost risen to knee height in such a short time. He felt for the chain underneath the water and struck it. Once, twice, but the chain wouldn't break. He had to stand, because the water was getting too high. He ran his hands through his hair, pulling at the strands. He shouted, trying to get the attention of any person who could possibly be out there and he searched the walls one more time. By the time he'd finished, the water had reached his shoulders.
He closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift. Of all the deaths, this was not what he had imagined. He closed his eyes, picturing that he was standing on the field of battle. He imagined that he was surrounded by his brothers, as they charged at the Spanish. He could almost hear Athos calling out to him.
"D'Artagnan!"
"D'Artagnan!"
He opened his eyes. That shout hadn't come from his mind, it had come from above him. He looked up, startled to see Athos' silhouette against the waning moon.
"Athos!" He tried to shout, but water rushed into his mouth and he began to cough, "Athos!"
"D'Artagnan!" Aramis' face swam into his vision, "Try to keep your head above the water!"
"'Mis, I'm trying." He coughed as more water rushed into his mouth, "I can't-" He was broken off as the water surrounded him, cutting off his air. It rushed into his mouth as he struggled to breathe, filling his lungs. He tried to swim to the surface to get more air, but the chain around his ankle held him down. He writhed, trying desperately to pull at the chain, to get himself free, but all it did was rub at the sore skin around his ankle. Black spots started to appear in his vision and he tried one more time to reach the surface of the water, but by now it was far above him. He could feel the darkness closing in as it swept over his eyes and the pain began to fade away.
Suddenly, he felt strong arms surround him and pull him free of the water. He was so tired, he couldn't bring himself to look up to find out who was carrying him. He simply hung there limply, until he was pulled free of his prison and laid down on the grass. He could feel a fist on his back, and he gasped, the water flowing from his mouth as he lay there coughing and choking. He could feel his wet doublet being removed and blankets being flung over him as he coughed, but he found that he didn't have the energy to care anymore. So, he willingly surrendered to the waiting darkness and let his brothers take care of him.