Hey guys, here's the next chapter. Thank you to Merick, Target Zero and cdsnow for the reviews, much love for those :-)

Athos looked at the girl again and took a breath, uncertain of how to reassure her. Porthos saw his hesitation and stepped forwards quickly, crouching in front of the girl. When he spoke his voice was a quiet rumble, as though he were soothing a skittish horse.

"It's alright, we're King's musketeers." Carefully he reached out and took the girls' hand, lifting it to his shoulder; Athos watched as her fingers traced over the carefully tooled leather of his pauldron. Her head turned towards Athos and she reached out her hand towards him, her expression guarded. Athos glanced at Porthos and saw the big man nod, deciding not to question his friend; he reached forwards and gently grasped her fingers, lifting her hand and placing it carefully on his shoulder. Once she had felt the fleur-de-lis she seemed calmer and Athos took her hand once more, helping her to her feet.

"Thank you for your help, gentlemen. It's good that you came when you did." She shook her head, dislodging the lock of fiery red hair that had fallen across her face.

"A report was received of trouble on the road, we were sent to ensure that it stopped." Athos paused as the girl began to turn her head from side to side as though trying to locate something.

"Charlotte? Raoul?" The girl called out the names and when she received no answer turned back towards the musketeers.

"I had two others with me; a girl and a young man. Please, are they here?" Porthos moved over to where the horse that had been shot lay. The girl lay under it, her chest crushed and her eyes unseeing. He brushed his fingers down her face, gently closing her eyes and looked around; there was a boy not far away, he was sprawled face down and his clothing suggested that he was not one of the bandits. Carefully Porthos rolled him over and saw instantly that there was no help for him; a blade to the throat had seen to that. Sighing, he rose to his feet and made his way back to where the girl stood with Athos.

"I'm sorry; they didn't make it."

"Oh no." Her breath hitched and Athos caught her arm as she swayed on her feet, leaning heavily on him.

"We will see to it that they are buried." Athos' voice was as steady and sure as his grip on her arm. "But for now, I must ask your name."

"E...Eleanor Ardoin." Her voice shook as she answered and Porthos saw tears spill over to fall like crystal drops down her cheeks. After a moment she seemed to shake herself and drew in a few harsh breaths, scrubbing her tears away with the back of her hand. A few more breaths later and she seemed to have composed herself with what could only be an iron self control and when she spoke her voice was steady. "If I might prevail upon you to find my horse, Monsieurs'; she has a rope tied to her bridle."

"I see her." Porthos turned and moved across the clearing to where an elegant chestnut mare stood, gazing back at him, the dappled sunlight shining on a smooth coat that was almost the same fiery red as her mistress' hair. Carefully he approached her and she regarded him warily with liquid eyes. "S'alright, sweetheart, I'm not gonna hurt you." Her ears twitched as she heard his soft rumble and the horse did not move as he took hold of her bridle, lifting the trailing rope before turning her back across the clearing.

As the big musketeer turned to retrieve the horse, Eleanor had turned to Athos who's hand remained on her arm.

"It strikes me Monsieur that you have not yet introduced yourselves."

"My apologies, Madame Ardoin, it was remiss of us. I am Athos of the Kings' Musketeers."

"And your friend?"

"Porthos, also of the Kings' Musketeers." She inclined her head, a small smile ghosting over her features.

As Porthos approached them the horse tossed her head and snorted. Eleanor's head turned and she stretched out a hand, her fingers finding and gently caressing the velvety muzzle. Almost immediately the horse calmed and Porthos smiled at the clear bond between the pair.

"Do you need assistance, Madame?" He felt her fingers brush his as she stepped away from Athos and took the reins.

"Not to mount, thank you, but she will need to follow one of your horses if you would be so kind as to lead her once I am mounted." She stepped alongside the mare and ran one hand over the chestnut neck. Her fingers pressed against a point on the silken fur and both musketeers looked on in amazement as the mare sank gracefully to her knees, settling on the ground. Eleanor settled herself in the saddle with smooth, practiced motions and at a gentle nudge from her heels the mare rose once more to her feet. Shaking off their surprise at what they had just seen, Athos and Porthos quickly hurried to retrieve their own horses.

"Never seen a horse that well trained." Porthos' voice was a murmur as he swung himself into the saddle.

"Especially not a chestnut mare." Athos could not hide the note of admiration in his voice. He had owned and ridden plenty of well trained horses before, however every chestnut mare he had ridden had been hot tempered and entirely uncooperative. Granted, his horse could be an absolute bastard at times but never quite so bad as a chestnut mare.

Porthos moved his horse alongside Eleanor's and grasped the rope; it had not taken any great length of discussion to decide that he should lead her. Athos' horse had about as much inclination as his rider for company and was not unknown to send well aimed kicks at other horses that invaded his personal space. They made their way towards Paris at a steady walk, and Athos could hear snatches of words from behind as Porthos made easy conversation with Eleanor. As her gentle laugh sounded, the elder musketeer found himself wondering how his friends all seemed to have the talent of being able to strike up conversation without any effort. He doubted that even had he been so inclined, he would ever find it that easy.

It was late in the afternoon when they rode into the garrison and Athos dismounted, tossing the reins of his horse to the stable boy before helping Eleanor from her mare. He had barely set her on her feet when he heard a familiar voice.

"I thought you'd never make it back, any longer and Treville would have sent us out after you." He turned to see d'Artagnan leaning against a pillar.

"Nice to see he misses us." Porthos swung himself from the saddle and clapped the boy on the shoulder.

"He's been twitchy all day." Aramis sauntered over, and fed the apple he was holding to Porthos' horse. He paused, taking in the girl stood before Athos and each of his three friends rolled their eyes as he looked at her.

"Well you had best inform him that we have arrived." Athos' voice was firm and his gaze hard with silent warning. Aramis took the hint and turned, making his way up the stairs to Treville's office.

Barely moments later, they heard hurried footsteps and Treville emerged onto the balcony and made his way down the stairs, his gaze fixed on the girl. When he stepped onto the courtyard he seemed almost hesitant as he moved towards her and took her hands in his own.

"It's good to see you again, Eleanor."

"And you, Father."

D'Artagnan blinked in surprise, not quite sure if had heard her words right. He looked at the others, seeing equal surprise on each of their faces, or as close to equal as was possible. Porthos was in danger of losing his eyebrows if they rose any further. Aramis had taken a step back, any thoughts he might have had about wooing this young woman quickly retreating and Athos had quirked an eyebrow.

Treville looked at Eleanor, brushing her hair back from her face and frowning when he noticed the small cut at the base of her throat. He glanced up at Athos and Porthos and nodded his gratitude before taking the girls' arm and guiding her up the stairs to his office. The musketeers watched as they disappeared and headed towards the table where Serge was laying out food and wine. Athos fell into step beside Porthos as they made their way across the courtyard.

"How did you realise so quickly?" Athos knew that he did not need to explain himself.

"Seen plenty like her in the Court; easy enough to recognise." His voice was quiet and Athos nodded, seeing the fleeting sadness that crossed the big man's' features.

"Come on, you two, or d'Artagnan will have eaten all the food." Aramis grinned as he called to them.

"Yes and Aramis will have drunk all the wine." D'Artagnan's retort was accompanied by a flying piece of bread aimed at Aramis' head.

"Well I s'pose that answers the question of who she is." Porthos grinned as he reached for a jug of wine.

"I never knew the Captain had a daughter." Aramis had picked up another apple.

"I would imagine it never came up in conversation." D'Artagnan had just about got over his shock.

"Yeah and if it had I bet he would never have told you." Porthos chuckled.

"It's true, she is very attractive."

"No!" Aramis almost fell off the bench as his three friends spoke in unison. He looked up to see Athos staring at him over the rim of his cup, his eyes hard and his face as unyielding as an avenging angel.

"Don't even think about it, Aramis."

"I won't."

"I mean it; she's not just another girl for you to seduce." He glared and Aramis held up his hands in surrender.

"You have my solemn vow, my friends that I will not go near her." He flashed them a smile and they all sighed.

They looked up as footsteps sounded above them and Treville emerged with Eleanor, one of her hands on his arm as they made their way down the stairs. He paused as he passed the table and fixed Athos and Porthos with a stare.

"I'll be back later; you two give me your report then." Athos nodded and Treville turned without another word, leading Eleanor from the garrison.

Treville led Eleanor through the streets of Paris, guiding her carefully through the crowds. They had not walked very far when they came to a modest house, not far away from the market. Stopping at the door, Treville pulled a key from his pocket and opened it, leading Eleanor inside.

The hallway was quiet and cool compared to the hot, noisy streets of Paris and Eleanor relished the sudden quiet as Treville closed the door. A moment later footsteps sounded and she heard a woman's voice.

"Monsieur Treville, at last, we were starting to worry. There is wine in the kitchen for you both."

"Thank you, Anna." Treville took Eleanor's arm and brought her forwards a step. "This is my daughter; Eleanor. Eleanor, this is Anna; she looks after the house and will be taking care of you."

"A pleasure to meet you, my dear, he has told me so much about you."

"Good things, I hope." Eleanor smiled.

"Always." Anna took one of Eleanor's hands in her own; her hands were firm and her touch caring. "Come, you must be tired from your journey." Treville smiled as she led Eleanor down the hall, Anna was of good solid country stock; she took no nonsense from anybody and he trusted her completely to take care of Eleanor. He followed them down the hall to the kitchen to find Eleanor sat at the table. Anna clucked her tongue at him as he entered.

"Sit, you must stay for a while." She set a glass of wine in front of him and bustled from the room.

"Anna is a good woman; she'll take good care of you." He settled himself into a chair and Eleanor smiled.

"I like her; she doesn't let you get away with anything I see."

"You're right there." He laughed and took a sip of the wine. "This house is yours to use. I never sleep here now so it will be good to have it lived in once more. I'll show it to you in a while; it's not big so you'll be able to learn it quickly." He paused, slightly awkward in her presence after so long. "The King wants to meet you." Her head lifted sharply.

"Why?" Her tone was guarded.

"He's...fascinated."

"Ah, he's never seen a blind woman up close and wants to gawp, is that it?" Her voice was harsh.

"He's also fascinated by the fact that I have a daughter."

"Many men have daughters."

"Yes but no one knew that I did." She nodded in a grudging understanding.

"When?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Fine." Sensing that she was not pleased, Treville put his glass down and stood.

"Come on, I'll show you the house." He took her arm and led her through the house, walking slowly as her fingers trailed along the walls and she began to learn her way around.

Well there we go, hope you liked it. Much love and imaginary cookies for reviews :-)