Brother Floris woke Aramis the next morning. "Time to get up, young man." He called after he knocked for the third time without receiving a reply. Floris could not help but smile when a half asleep Aramis appeared at the door.

"Must you awake me this early?" Aramis complained. The sun was not up yet!

"Dress yourself, brother. We will go and eat before we pray." Aramis closed the door in the face of the brother before he found his tunic and slowly dressed himself. Brother Floris was still there when he opened his door again. Aramis silently followed brother Floris to the hall he ate in yesterday. Many brothers and sisters sat side to side in silence as they ate. Aramis sat down at the end of the table, where there were just two placed unoccupied. He only recieved a small nod from the brother at his left, before Floris joined them, bringing two bowl with him. Porridge. Aramis mused as he slowly stirred the lumply substance in front of his nose. Aramis quietly ate the porridge. It did not quite sattisfy his taste, even if it did for his stomach. Two sisters collected all the empty bowls when they were finished.

"What are we going to do?" Aramis softly asked as brother Floris arose.

"You can come with me. I will go and tend the horses in the stable, before we attend the sevice in church." Brother Floris said. Aramis followed Brother Floris to the stables.

"Do you want me to feed and brush the horses?" Aramis asked once they were inside, looking at the three horses, and several empty boxes.

"You may muck out the stables while I take the horses outside." Brother Floris said while an amused sparkle stood in his eyes. Aramis snorted. A moment later, a hayfork appeared in front of his nose. "Off you go." Brother Floris chirped as he took the first horse outside, leaving the door open for Aramis. With a dramatic sigh, he set to work, mucking out the stables. Aramis was about to finish with redressing the last box when brother Floris entered the stables again. The man was slightly out of breath, with a thin sheen of sweat coated his brow. "Pick a horse, you may go and brush them." The man said, while he pointed to a shelf next to the door.

"Oui." Aramis replied as he went to fetch a small brush. Aramis walked up the to the grey horse. He gently stroked her nose before he set out to brush her coat. If there was anything more sattisfying that beating his fellow musketeers, and lovely ladies at his side, it would be cleaning. A calmness washed over Aramis as he gently put precisely stroked the fur of the horse.

"You like brushing the horse?" Brother Floris asked when he had brushed the other two horses, while Aramis was somewhere about to finish with the grey mare.

"It is a task I would mind the least to do." Aramis said as he stopped brushing. "I can usually work in all peace, without being bothered when I am in the stables."

"We have to go and wash up now." Brother Floris said with a nod. At the well on the other side of the courtyard, both Brother Floris and Aramis washed their hands and face. "Try to remember the way." Floris said as he led Aramis through the hallway, leading him to a sidedoor that ended up in the church. "Go and sit on the third row." Floris said, before he joined a brother on the second row in the front. Aramis knew it would be disrespectful if he turned to see who would all enter, but he could not help himself. Slowly families entered and took their places, but there was no sign of a musketeer. When the door closed, two acolytes came to the altar and prepared it for the priest. This would be come a very long morning. Aramis mused as the priest started preach.

"Today we welcome another brother who decided to join us." The priest said somewhere halfway through the service. "Please feel welcomed by all our brothers and sisters with whom you share the house of God with." The priest looked at the brothers that occupied the first two rows of benches. "Today we shall pray for all those that have left us for a better place. That they all shall be in peace and we shall pray from them until the day comes that we will join them in the Heavinly House of God." The priest continued with his prayers and lectures for over an hour.

When the service finally came to an end, the people slowly left the church, softly chatting with each other.

"Frére Aramis." Brother Floris softly greeted when the church was finally empty of patrons. "It is time for luncheon. Then we shall go and tend the gardens." Floris explained as Aramis got to his feet and followed the other brothers and sisters to the dining hall. Once again, they ate in complete silence, much to annoyance of Aramis. When they had finally finished their bread, with a little bit of cheese, Aramis followed the brothers outside. It was a nice and warm afternoon, so he would not complain about spending his time outside. Brother Floris sent him to a small corner of the garden where chard stood growing.

"You are not quite talkative, are you?" Aramis asked the brother as he knelt into the dirt.

"We are in the house of god. Nothing more needs to be said." The brother shortly replied. When it appeared that the brother did not appriciate to be spoken to, Aramis huffed, before he started to water the plants. After they spent the whole afternoon in the garden, the brothers freshened up before brother Floris took him to the kitchen.

"You will be helping the brothers took tonight." He introdused as he took him to a table where freshly washed vegtables where layed out. "As you might have noticed, that we all have tasks we do every day, but tasks like kitchen duty, we roulate upon." Aramis nodded.

"Are we going to have vegtable stew?" Aramis asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I believe so." Brother Floris nodded. "If you need any help, you ask any of them." Aramis spent the next half hour chopping vegtable in small pieces while another brother added them to the water, boiling them. It was not long after that, that the kitchen was filled with a lovely smell, making Aramis mouth water. When He took a peek out into the hall, he saw that the tables were slowly filled with brothers and sisters alike.

"What do you think you are doing?" A meager looking brother harshly whispered, steering him away from the door. "Serve them if you so need to see them." He pushed two filled bowls in his hands, before dropping two spoons in the hot stew.

"Forgive me." Aramis replied with a raised eyebrow, before he went to the nearest table, serving two elderly sisters first. Many trips from the kitchen to hungry brothers and sisters later, Aramis was finally able to sit down with his own bowl of stew. After he finished the stew, he waited till all brothers and sisters had left, before he started to collect th empty bowls and spoons.

"You may retire for tonight." The same meager brother told Aramis when he noticed all the bowls were washed and dried.

"Merci." Aramis replied before he left the kitchen. Slowly Aramis found his way back to his room. At a sudden, he found himself weary, glad that the day was almost over. It was not like he had the most hardest tasks, or the one that cost a ton of energy… Aramis mused as he slowly pulled the tunic over his head. Several moment later he curled up underneath the blanket, and several more before he was asleep.

Aramis woke in the middle of the night, drenched in his own sweat. Aramis gasped for his breath as he collapsed against his pillow. Not again! As Aramis opened his eyes again, he found his small room in a sudden light. He surely had not left a candle burning before he went to sleep. Aramis mused as he leant on his left elbow and looked around the room. It took him but a moment before his eyes locked with those of brother Floris. "Did I awake you?" Aramis softly asked, not trusting his voice.

"You did." Floris nodded as he moved from the doorway into the room and poured a cup of water. "Would you like to share what you dreamt about?" He asked as he handed the cup to Aramis.

"Old fanthoms that seek me out once in a while." Aramis replied after he took a grateful sip of the cold water.

"Is there anything I could do for you?"

"No, I just need to be reunited with my fellow musketeers." Aramis said, sending the brother a smile as he held out the empty cup.

"I am sure you will soon be on your way." Floris took the cup and put it back next to the pitcher. "Try to get some more sleep if you feel up to it." He said before he left Aramis alone again. Aramis sighed as he let himself fall back onto his bed, looking up at the ceiling. At least he was not in the darkness anymore… Aramis curled up at his side, watching as the candle slowly burned the night away.

"Good morning, Aramis." Brother Floris gently called as he shook the shoulder of the Musketeer. "Forgive me for waking you." The man said when Aramis finally looked up at him, looking rather sleepily. "I will wait for you in the hallway." Floris said before he left Aramis alone to dress. Aramis took his time to wash his face, and a try to comb his hair with his fingers before he dressed himself.

"Do you not have a comb for me to spare?" Aramis asked when he finally emerged from his room.

"That took you long enough." Floris said with a raised eyebrow. "I am sure Lis or Justine would have one for you to use." Aramis nodded before he followed him to the hall where they arrived as last again. After everyone had finished their porridge, Aramis once again followed Floris to the stables. "We are going to walk the horses to the pasture." Floris said as he handed a large reed hat to Aramis. After the horses received their bridles, they made the short walk tothe pasture just outside of the village. Both Aramis and Floris watched as the horses took off, enjoying their freedom.

"Shall we turn back?" Brother Floris asked after a while. Aramis nodded. Slowly the two men made it back to the convent. As they came back to the convent, both men washed before making their way to the church again. Even if there was no service today, the nuns and monks prayed in complete silence.

After the brothers and sisters had finished their luncheon, Floris once again found Aramis. "How about your are going to take a nap?" Floris asked with a raised eyebrow. Aramis shook his head as he got up from the bench.

"There is no need to." Aramis shrugged as he started to gather the empty platters.

"You are going to argue with me, brother?" Floris asked as he took the platters from Aramis' hands and put them back onto the table. "Do not think I did not notice you fighting to stay awake while we were praying. A nap will do you good." He said as he started to steer Aramis in the direction of the stairs, leading to the bedrooms upstairs.

"You must believe me when i do not need any sleep." Aramis protested, trying to escape the firm grip the brother had on his shoulder. Brother Floris shook his head, nudging him up the stairs.

"Just give me a moment." Brother Floris said before he walked up several doors before he went inside, coming out again a moment later. "If you will not sleep, then go and read something. You know how to read right?"

"That is the bible you are holding." Aramis confirmed as he slowly took the book from the brother's hand.

"Then go and read something." Floris gave him a little smile and opened the door to his room. With a sigh, Aramis walked inside and sat down on the bed. He had not read the first page fully, before his eyelids started to droop, still exhaused from the previous events.

This became the routine of Aramis in the convent of Saint Barbara.

"Quickly! Open the gate." One sister shouted as he hung half out of the window. As the gate was opened, two figures with their horses walked in. One of the figures was hanging into the saddle, barely keeping upright. The other figure leant heavily against the horse's side, just barely keeping standing. Brother Floris quickly came to aid as he took both bridles of the horses so they would stay as still as possible.

"Merci." The man that heavily leant into his horse whispered before his legs gave out underneath him. Only a moment later, Lis among several sisters rushed outside.

"Bring them inside." Sister Justine softly said as they managed to get the large man from the saddle. Both men were carried inside. Slowly they walked through the hallway and up the stairs. Both men were brought to a separate room.

"What is going on?" Aramis softly asked as he peeked into the hallway where several nuns stood outside a door.

"You knew something about healing, did you not?" Justine asked when she noticed that the man also had heard about the commotion.

"I do yes." Aramis nodded. There was someone hurt.

"Lis will be tending the man in this room, but the other man also needs medical attention." She explained as she took Aramis to the room next to it. Aramis froze as he recognised the face of the wounded man on the bed. Half of Athos' face was covered in blood.

"Do you know him?" Justine softly asked, after Aramis had not moved a muscle for at least a minute.

"He is one of the fellow musketeers." Aramis said after a moment.

"How can I assist you?" the elderly nun asked. She could later on ask questions, now the priority was the musketeers health.

"A bowl with warm, but not hot water. And a rag please." Aramis said as his healer's mode slid into place.

"I will be back in a moment." Justine said before she left Aramis and the wounded musketeer alone.

"Athos." Aramis gently called as he tapped the man's cheek. "Athos." The man's eyes flutter but did not open. After several moments of more nudging, Athos finally opened his eyes. "There you go." Aramis gently said while he gave Athos a small smile.

"Where- where am I?" Athos asked blinking up at the fuzzy outline before him.

"At the convent of Saint Barbara." Aramis said as he patiently waited for Athos to collect his thoughts.

"Good." Athos replied. "My companion? He was hurt." Athos suddenly said while he tried to go and push himself up. Athos let out a soft moan as Aramis gently pushed him back.

"I believe your companion is in the next room, being taken care of by a sister." Aramis told him. He had to go and check Athos' chest.

"Merci, brother." Athos softly said as he settled down again.

"Do not go and sleep yet." Aramis said in slight alarm when Athos closed his eyes. Athos sluggishly blinked. "Can you tell me where you are hurt?"

"My shoulder." Athos replied after a wince spread over his face. "And my chest." he added after a moment.

"Athos, does it hurt anywhere else?" Aramis gently urged the older man.

"No." Athos replied as blinked, trying to keep awake. A knock at the door drew both of the men's attention. Justine opened the door before Aramis could move from the bed.

"Forgive me that it took so long." She said as she put the bowl down on the small table next to the bed. "Just tell me what you wish for me to do."

"Merci." Aramis replied as he tested the water with his hand before he dipped a rag in the water. "Keep awake for me." Aramis gently urged when Athos closed his eyes as he started to clean the blood away.

"M wake." Athos murbled as he tried to turn his face away, in a weak attempt to avoid the hands of the healer.

"Good." Aramis said as he inspected the small wound just above Athos' eyebrow. It was too small to stitch. "Open your eyes for me." Aramis urged while he tapped Athos' cheek. "I know you are tired, but you need to stay awake for a little longer."

"Tired." Athos complained.

"I know, but I need to get you out of your shirt if I am to tend your injuries." Aramis explained. "Justine, can you help me? Sit up for me, Athos." Aramis gently said while he started to heave the man into a sitting position. Athos let out a pained moan at the movement, but did not protest, or even bother to keep his head straight. Justine quickly and quietly helped Athos out of his shirt. "Good job." He whispered as he lowered the man back onto the bed.

"That explains his shallow breathing." Justine softly said as she noticed the bruised chest of the man. With his shirt in her hands she watched as Aramis cleaned and bound Athos' shoulder.

"That is all I can do for now." Aramis said as he watched Athos intently.

"Then I will go and see if I can assist Lis." Justine said as she folded Athos' shirt and put it on the small table on the other side of the room.

"Thank you for your help." Aramis said, giving her a little smile.

"I shall come back with some supplies soon." Justine promised before she walked through the door. With a sigh, Aramis sank down on a chair while he ran his hands through his hair. What had happened? Aramis mused as he continued to watch the now asleep man. "Aramis?" The voice of Justine came a little while later.

"Oui?" Aramis asked as he turned to look at the door. The nun stood there with a pitcher and two cups in her hands.

"When Frere Floris has tended the musketeers' horses, he will come and watch over your friend." She said as she put the items down, before pouring a cup. Aramis gratefully took the cup and drank from it.

"There is no need for him to do so." He replied.

"Are you going to deny me?" Justine asked as she placed her hand on her hip.

"Non." Aramis shook his head lightly.

"Frere Floris will be here any moment." Justine said before she left him alone again. It was slowly getting darker when finally brother Floris entered the room.

"Aramis?" The brother gently called before he actually entered the room.

"Good evening." Aramis greeted.

"Your musketeer brother will be in good hands with me." Floris said when Aramis made no action to move.

"I have no doubt." Aramis replied.

"Then why don't you go and rest. Tomorrow is a whole new day."

"I am not tired." Aramis stubbornly replied, not taking his eyes from the sleeping Athos.

"You have seen how I handle scared horses." The brother threatened.

"You think it is wise to go and fight a musketeer?" Aramis countered.

"I will do so if I must." When that still did not have the desired effect, Floris tried something different. "Justine told me that the other wounded was also a musketeer." Floris cound not help when Aramis head snapped up. He had totally forgotten the other wounded! "Maybe Lis will let you see him, he was even worse I believe."

"Do not dare to leave him alone." Aramis threathened before he stood and quickly made his way to the other room. "Can I go inside and see him?" Aramis asked, with a little bit of urgency sounding though his voice when he found Lis standing outside the door.

"You cannot do anything for him now." Lis said, sending Aramis a sad smile.

"Please, just to see if it is a friend of mine." Aramis pleaded.

"Only for a moment then." Lis said after a moment before she stepped away from the door, letting Aramis enter. There in the middle of the small room, was the dark skinned man, fast asleep in the cot. As Aramis drew nearer, he noticed heavy white bandaged around the man's middle, as well as his left upper arm. At least he was taken care of. Aramis mused as he sank to his knees, while he took Porthos' large hand in his own.

"How badly is he hurt?" Aramis asked when he noticed that Lis had joined him.

"A nasty gash at his side. It took quite a few stitches." Lis quietly said, not moving from where she stood in the doorpost.

"And his arm?" Aramis asked.

"Another nasty slash." Lis looked at the sleeping man. "I did my very best at stitching his muscle back. He might need some exercise when the wounds have healed."

"Did he have more wounds?"

"A musketball to his tigh." Lis softly said. "I cleaned and stitched it. It will heal."

Aramis grimaced. That for sure must have hurt. "You removed the musketball?"

"I did."

"Where there more injuries?"

"Not that I did notice." Lis said and watched the two men together. "It is time for you to go now. Eat something if you feel up to it, otherwise it would be a good thing if you went to sleep. I has been a long day for us all." Lis said as she walked into the room and gave Aramis' shoulder a soft squeeze.

"Someone has to stay with him." Aramis said, looking up at the young lady.

"I will do so." Lis said. "I managed to let your friend drink a little. With a drop of poppy extract I am sure he will sleep through the night."

"Wasn't that also what you gave the guards?" Aramis asked, not moving from his spot.

"Oui. I thought it was too risky for him to wake when I was stitching him." Lis explained. "Now go and eat something, or go and sleep. I will wake you if something happens." Lis promised. Reducantly Aramis nodded and stood. After a last glance at his sleeping brother, he walked out of the room.

-A/N Please leave me a review. I do not know if I will continue this, and I might delete this again.-