It had been a week since the news from Kingslanding had come and in that time they had gotten other letters. One saying that Ned Stark had been killed for treason and another from Tywin Lannister, talking of war.

D'artagnan was standing in the stables with Porthos, Aramis having gone to find Athos. "You're nervous?" Porthos asked, earning a nod from the younger man.

"I've never been in a war before."

"Neither have I." Porthos stated, sending D'artagnan a reassuring look. "Just follow the orders and remember not to underestimate your opponent and you'll be fine." D'artagnan nodded his head in answer.

"What about Athos and Aramis?" D'artagnan asked, curious to know whether his other friends had been involved in a war.

Porthos shrugged. "You'll have to ask them." When D'artagnan gave a curious look Porthos said, "Athos doesn't talk about his past and Aramis has always been a little cagy when we ask questions about his family."

"And you're alright with that?" Porthos nodded. D'artagnan looked like he wanted to argue but at that moment Athos and Aramis walked into the stables.

"Are we ready?" Athos asked, getting a nod from the other two. Aramis had a frown on his face but D'artagnan decided that if Aramis wanted to talk about it he would.

"Captain Treville said we're to head into the Riverlands and keep an eye out for any Stark scouts." Athos said, climbing onto his horse.

"Then let's head out then." Aramis grinned, clicking his tongue to get his horse to move forwards.

The four friends rode along the road with the same amount of noise they usually did. Athos was silent as Aramis and Porthos joked. D'artagnan added in a few comments but was oddly silent for the younger man. By the time they stopped at a small inn for the night, the other three had picked up on their young friends silence and had become worried.

"Aramis get the rooms and Porthos settle the horses down for the night. D'artagnan." Athos motioned for D'artagnan to follow him into the inn and into a seat. "What's wrong?"

"This war…" D'artagnan trailed off but Athos seemed to understand what was troubling his young friend.

"You've never fought in a war before, have you?" D'artagnan shook his head in answer, lowering his head a little as if ashamed. "I won't lie to you; a war is dangerous and can result in you being killed rather easily." D'artagnan looked up startled but Athos continued before he had a chance to say anything. "We're Musketeers though and Treville will most likely use us to gather information and other things. They'll be just as dangerous but we'll most likely avoid the majority of the fighting. And if we do end up in the middle of a battle none of us will let any harm come to you." It was a long speech for Athos and D'artagnan nodded his appreciation.

"Thank you." Athos only smiled.

"You can thank me by buying me wine." D'artagnan laughed in answer, getting up to walk to the bar area of the tavern.

Athos watched D'artagnan walk away a small frown on his face. "Is he alright?" Aramis asked, taking a seat next to his brooding friend.

"As good as he will ever be." Athos stated.

"We'll keep an eye on him." Aramis stated but he could feel Athos' eyes on him.

"And you?" Aramis raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I saw the way you've been reacting ever since we found out about this war. What's wrong?" It was true. When the letter had arrived and Treville had gathered his men in the garrison to relay the news, Aramis had become oddly silent. It had seemed to Athos as if his friend was debating something. One night Porthos had told him that Aramis had gone to send a letter. Athos hadn't confronted his friend, too worried about other things if he was honest but now they were on a mission, Athos felt he needed an explanation.

"You're just as bad?"

"This isn't about me." Athos could see that Porthos had joined D'artagnan at the tavern bar and while before he may have hoped they stayed away so he could talk with Aramis he was hoping they would return. "We've all noticed that you've been drinking a little more heavily this last week."

Athos wouldn't deny the news of this war was disturbing. If not for his loyalties to the Musketeers he would more than likely be fighting for the Starks, being one of Lord Tully's bannerman. But when he had left his lands and titles he had pledged his loyalty to Louis and he would keep that promise, no matter what his personal feelings may be. "You sent a letter. Who to?"

Aramis was silent for a moment before answering. "My Father." It was the first time Aramis had talked about his family before now and Athos knelt forwards curiously. "It was nothing. Just a simple letter."

Athos didn't believe it, knowing Aramis too well for that but at that moment Porthos and D'artagnan returned to the table. "Wine." D'artagnan said, handing Athos the cup and bottle.

Athos nodded his head in thanks and poured himself a cup, downing it in one. Porthos sent a questioning look his way, wanting to know how the talk with Aramis went but Athos only shrugged in answer.

"Where are we heading too exactly?" D'artagnan asked, not liking the silence.

"I believe, we are heading for the encampment of Robb Stark." Aramis stated. Seeing the distressed look that crossed D'artagnan's face he hastily added. "We're looking for information. Not to start a fight."

"Not that I wouldn't appreciate a good fight." Porthos grinned widely.

"We'll head out in the morning. Get some sleep." Athos said.

"And what about you?" Aramis asked, motioning to the wine. Athos only shrugged.

"Well, goodnight then gentlemen." Aramis sighed, knowing there was no convincing Athos to ignore the wine.

As soon as Aramis was gone, Porthos turned to Athos. "Well, who was the letter for?" D'artagnan leant in, also curious about the way Aramis had been acting.

"His Father." Athos sighed, taking another drink.

"Who's his Father?" Athos and Porthos shrugged.

"I'm sure it was nothing just our imaginations." Porthos said, getting up from the table. "Try not to drink too much." Athos nodded his consent as Porthos left the table also. D'artagnan lingered a little longer before he too retired for the night, leaving Athos alone in the tavern with only his cup of wine for company.

The older musketeer had a number of thoughts going through his head, not least of all was the coming war. It had been looming ever since the Kings death but now it was really here Athos was starting to feel the effects of it. He would be fighting against men he knew. Men he had trained with from a young age. Athos would always do his duties and he would never betray his brothers but there were the doubts that plagued him.

And then there was D'artagnan, Porthos and Aramis. It was obvious to Athos that Aramis was hiding something. It was obvious to them all but what it was and how it would affect them he didn't know. Athos trusted Aramis with his life but the secrets Aramis was keeping may yet cause disaster for them all. And D'artagnan who was so young he had never been in a war. He wasn't even a musketeer. At times like this Athos only wished the younger man hadn't come here but at the same time Athos felt as if D'artagnan filled a missing space in their group that made them whole. Porthos had never been in a war either though Athos knew his friend wouldn't act frightened. He would do his duty and would lay his life down for his brothers. Which made Athos worry. He would not be responsible for the death of another brother.

Taking another drink, Athos decided that he would be almost certainly drinking himself into oblivion tonight if only to escape the thoughts and doubts racing across his mind.

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Next chapter focused on Aramis