Isabelle left the room quietly, musket ball still clenched in her hand. Jean followed her, waiting for her instructions 'Please prepare hot wash basins for our guests. Have Sofia prepare beds, ensure the rooms are prepared. You are not a fool, take charge and ensure them every comfort. The King's Musketeers are still close to my heart' with a bow, Jean hurried to fulfil his mistresses demands.

'He is asleep' Porthos rested his large hand on her shoulder 'Mademoiselle d'Herblay, we owe you much'

'It hasn't been so long that you need to stand on circumstance, Porthos. Please call me Isabelle' she smiled at the gruff, scarred man, 10 years older than she remembered. He had aged well, the life of a soldier agreed with him. She placed the bloodied musket ball in his hand 'Give this to d'Artagnan when he wakes. It's good luck to keep it'

'I will' he tucked the little ball in his pocket, turning at the noise of his fellow soldiers leaving the room behind him.

'You did a fantastic job, Isabelle. You should have been a nurse' Aramis commented, cloth between his hands.

'I only did my duty to king and country' she smiled, unsure if she should display the long held affection for him or not. She turned her gaze to Athos. 'You are retreating. Are we in danger here?'

'We rode fast, and our opposition were on foot. This village should be safe' Athos assured her

'Should be safe? That is perhaps not as reassuring as you hoped' she arched a brow at him 'How many hours behind are they?'

'5, at least. Our regiment should be here by then'

'Then I must warn the mayor and prepare the town' Isabelle toyed with her braided hair briefly 'If you will excuse me'

'You cannot go alone, it is dangerous for a woman' Aramis held out his hand to stop her

'If you think me uncapable, then by all means- visit the town and warn them yourself' he blanched at the thought of someone recognising him 'I thought not. Athos, how many are they?'

'Two dozen, though they may have increased their numbers' he knew the expression on her face. He had seen it on her brothers many times before. The stubborn refusal to yield.

'Jean? Show these gentlemen to their rooms so they may wash before supper. I will not be long' Jean gestured to the stairs, and the three men followed him, not without hesitation.

Aramis stopped at the foot of the stairs. 'Be careful, Isabelle'

'I am never anything but' she called as she wrapped her cape around herself and hurried out the door. Her horse seemed glad of the exercise, as she spurred him on into the town, leaving him to wait as she pounded on the door of the mayors apartments.

Isabelle explained the whole situation as best she could, encouraging him to rouse the men of the town and prepare them to defend it if necessary. He thanked her for the information, promising to take care of the situation swiftly, and bid her farewell. She was disappointed, as though she was not to be listened to. She did not want to see any bloodshed in her little town. She had heard rumours of brute squads moving across the lands to the west, taking towns by force and extracting money and supplies. It would not stand.

Her estate was on the westernmost side of the town, and would have to stand as the first line of defence. She was unable to sleep, though she could hear distinctive snores from the rooms upstairs. She checked on d'Artagnan periodically, asked his permission to borrow his sword in case a battle came to them. She dressed in preparation, her old breeches and shirt, a black wool cloak to keep the chill from her bones.

Athos joined her in the cold before dawn, his silent company a comfort she had not felt in many years. She was so utterly focused upon the dancing flames and the quiet crackle of timber that she jumped when his large, rough hand covered her own. He withdrew his hand quickly, an apology tumbling from his lips.

'I only wished to comfort you' he said gently, returning his eyes to the flames.

'You presence is the greatest comfort I have had in years' she reached for his hand, curling her fingers between his 'I never truly apologised... for what I said'

'You need not' he squeezed her hand, only slightly 'I understand'

She moved to stand in front of him, the warmth of the fire on her back. With her free hand, she traced an index finger over the fine, thin scar on his neck. 'I am sorry, Athos. I wish I could make it up to you' she watched his Adams apple bob as he swallowed, fixing a penetrating gaze fixed upon her. Her fingers traced barely felt lines over his throat, through his bearded chin, across his forehead, her fingers entwining into his curls. She waited for a sign, for any indication that he wished her to continue.

'Isabelle' he sighed, hand wrapping around her waist and pulling her close to him. He kissed her forehead softly 'I cannot be what you wish me to be. I am sorry'

She rested her head against his chest and allowed herself to feel the warmth of him embrace, imagining, for just a moment, that she could always have this. She pulled away, gently, easing the distance between them in. Her spirit ached when her fingers fell from his, and she returned her face to the passive mask she had worn for so long. The fire had lost its appeal, though she returned to staring into its heart.

Aramis and Porthos broke the silence minutes later.

'Why are we even awake at this hour?' Aramis grumbled.

'Because you' Isabelle jabbed a finger into his chest 'brought danger here. I may just be a feeble woman, but I will protect my home, if no one else will'

'You forget yourself Isabelle' there was a tone in Aramis' voice she did not recognise, one that would have scared her had it not been her own brother. 'Do not speak to me in that manner. I am still the rightful heir. This is still my home'

'One word, Rene. One word is all it would have taken, to let me know you were alive. You surrendered your rights the day you broke my heart. Do not speak to me as though you know that pain' she straightened her back, wrapping her cloak around her as she stormed from the house. Jean waited with her horse, properly saddled and prepared this time. She mounted, warning him to let no one into the house and to protect the women and d'Artagnan, before encouraging her steed into a slow walk, waiting for her companions to join her.