Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
Warning: Un-betaed. I apologise in advance for the bad grammar and spelling mistakes.
One month ago…
The Musketeers were training. Athos and D'Artagnan were sparring while Aramis and Porthos called out warnings and making fun, trying to distract D'Artagnan from the fight. "Watch your feet, D'Artagnan." Athos warned as he tripped the boy over.
D'Artagnan got straight back up, sword ready and took a couple of good swipes at Athos before stepping back and taking the defensive. Aramis and Porthos looked at each other impressed. The boy was good. They knew that the day they met, but his training with Athos has improved his skills exponentially. Aramis leaned over, "If we don't watch out, he'll be giving us a few pointers."
"True as it may be, hell will freeze over before I admit that to him." Porthos whispered. Aramis laughed and took a swig of his rum. It was a good day until Milady De Winter walked through the gates of the garrison. Everyone in the garrison stopped what they were doing. D'Artagnan was surprised to see the woman. He understood why they others had stopped. She was a beautiful woman. What he didn't understand was why Athos looked ready to murder someone.
"Athos," The name melted as she spoke them, "You look like you've seen a ghost."
D'Artagnan looked between the two. They knew each other. Milady, the scar around her neck, the story Athos had told him. Suddenly a connection was made.
Milady turned to him, "Ah…D'Artagnan. My knight in shining armour. As much as I miss Athos, I've come to see you."
Suddenly Athos turned his murderous sights on him. "You know her!"
"Know me?" Milady asked, laughing, as she walked up to D'Artagnan and placed her hand on his chest and a finger under his chin. Her lips were only millimetres from his. "I'll say we know every part of each other very well, don't you?" She asked, seductively.
"Athos, care to introduce us?" Aramis asked, cautiously.
"Oh I think D'Artagnan is more suited to do that." Athos growled through his teeth.
D'Artagnan shook his head, stepping back from De Winter. "Athos, I didn't know. It happened before I even met you."
"You mean you never thought to mention me to your friends?" Milady asked, driving the wedge between the young man and his friends. She needed him in his plans. Needed him for her revenge.
D'Artagnan ignored her, "I didn't know she was your wife." He was begging his friend to believe him. Becoming a musketeer was his dream, he didn't want this to be the end of it. "Please believe me."
Athos shook his head, disgusted, "I told you about her. I trusted you."
"And I have done nothing or told anyone about it since then. It was something I would've taken to my grave." D'Artagnan implored. He wasn't ready for the sword that came at him.
"LIAR!" Athos swung his sword at him like a mad man. D'Artagnan dodged and parried, just as he had been taught by the man he was fighting.
Out of the corner of his eye, Athos could see Milady smiling and suddenly he lost control of his entire body. He turned his sword and ran straight at Milady.
Milady's eyes widened his horror and pure fear as Athos ran at her, his eyes reflected his madness. She thought this was the end as she back away as fast as she could.
Athos was smiling like a mad man when he saw the fear in the woman's eyes. Finally, he could have his revenge. "Athos! No!" It was D'Artagnan. He had shoved the woman aside and was standing in front of him. Athos saw him but knew he couldn't stop himself in time, he could only change the direction of his sword. He drove the sword into D'Artagnan's left arm.
"Athos!"
"D'Artagnan!"
Porthos pulled Athos and his sword away from D'Artagnan while Aramis went to D'Artagnan to check the wound. He, none too gently, pulled off D'Artagnan's jacket and tore open the sleeve of his shirt. "Didn't hit an artery. You'll be fine." Aramis stepped back and stood with the other two. The statement was obvious, they will stand by Athos. D'Artagnan understood, after all, the three have been friends for a long time. What he didn't understand is why nobody was willing to hear him out?
D'Artagnan held a hand over his arm, putting pressure on the wound. It was strange. It should've hurt but D'Artagnan couldn't feel it. He looked at the three men in front of him and then at the men around them. They were all looking at him with betrayal in their eyes and he knew then that his dream of being a musketeer had just ended. He looked up to balcony of Treville's office and saw the Captain standing there. The man just shook his head at him. This was it. This was the end. De Winter came up to him and took him by the arm. "Come, we can tend to your wound at my residence." D'Artagnan was too shocked at what was happening to object. He absently followed her out of the garrison. As he stepped outside of the gate, he turned around and saw two musketeers closing the gates. His three friends stood there. Athos, glaring at him with so much hatred in his eyes. Slam!
