Chapter 4: Dark Moments
It was very dark as the two men left the house closing the heavy front door behind them; it took a few moments for their eyes to adjust to the new lighting, before they could move to the road. Athos used the time to consider how to start the necessary conversation with Aramis, realising that all he knew of love himself was hurt and betrayal, although he didn't think that Melody would be capable of such actions.
As they took a few steps a carriage halted at the end of the passage between the two buildings which bordered the courtyard in which the Bonacieux house was situated. Carriages came and went along that roadway all the time, so they gave it little thought.
"Now Aramis," Athos began
"Melody!" Aramis exclaimed loudly, Athos grabbed his arm, shaking his head about to reprimand him "No look –Melody" Aramis shook his arm free and dashed forward as it was clear something was not right. Melody stood hunched over, clinging to the wall for support, pain etched all over her face. Reaching her side Aramis found his mind racing: why was Melody so late? Where was her cloak? And why did she appear to be in such agony? Melody didn't even seem to notice him at first, as she struggled not to cry out as a sharp wave of pain surged through her. Taking her arm Aramis finally persuaded her to look directly into his face. The relief and faith he saw in her expression as she realised he was there made his heart expand with glee, before he focused on the problem in front of him.
"Melody you have to tell us what's wrong? We can't help until you do" Aramis coaxed her gently, trying to reassure her with his usual dashing smile. Unable to formulate words, Melody removed her blood covered hand from her waist and held it for him to see. Athos gasped harshly from behind Aramis, who dropped to one knee to get a better view of the source of the bleeding. "There's a blade wound to her side, we need to get her indoors now!" As Melody heard the words 'blade' and 'wound' the dizziness that had been threatening since she had been roughly thrown out of the carriage overtook her and despite her best efforts to fight it she felt her consciousness slipping away. Catching her small frame easily, as she passed out, Aramis swung her up into his arms and charged in the direction of the house, Athos ran ahead to open the front door.
Chaos ensued as the small group burst back into the main room of the house. Constance screamed when she saw her friend being carried unconscious into her home, and was further distressed when she saw that Melody was also bleeding heavily.
"Clear the table, she's been stabbed – the wound is deep and needs attention. I need light, needle and thread and I need it now!" Aramis ordered, trying desperately to remain calm. Constance froze, so D'Artagnan jumped into action to collect the required equipment. Gently Aramis laid Melody down on the wooden table, resting her head on the cloak Porthos had folded to use as a pillow. Aramis pensively moved her slashed dress away from the cut; it was a mess and would require a large number of stitches to prevent further bloodloss. As D'Artagnan returned with the tools he would need Aramis removed his coat, gloves and hat and made a concerted effort to stop his hands from shaking with both fear and anger. Taking a deep breath he returned to his patient and threaded his needle. "This could take some time".
Painstakingly he began his work, as he began the third stitch Melody stirred, she was regaining consciousness and could clearly feel the pain he was inflicting in his attempts to mend the injury, her groans and whimpers were enough to tell him that. "She's waking, you'll need to hold her still" He told his friends, instantly Porthos and Athos stepped forward and with one either side of the table, held Melody's body gently but firmly to prevent her from moving. "I doubt she'll stay awake for long" Aramis acknowledged knowing that the consistent pain his efforts were causing would probably cause her to pass out again. Constance stroked Melody's hair as she woke fully and screamed in agony; she spoke to her bewildered friend trying to soothe her. Aramis watched as Melody's eyes rolled backwards as he continued stitching and she fell still.
"Probably for the best" Athos said quietly, offering a reassuring smile to his friend, who tried to complete his task as quickly and perfectly as he could; occasionally glancing at his friend's beautiful face. Once the wound had been dressed, Aramis insisted he would be the only one to carry her and removed her to a bedroom, where Constance changed her clothing and they tried to make Melody as comfortable as possible. In the meantime Athos was sent in search of Captain Treville, who had been at the Palace all day, it was decided that their superior would probably react better at hearing the news from him as opposed to Porthos who was considered the joker of the group.
D'Artagnan searched the courtyard and roadway for any clues as to who the carriage belonged to or where it had come from, while Porthos made inquiries in the surrounding vicinity and at Treville's house. As the other's completed their tasks, Aramis sat in the dimly lit bed chamber; brows creased and furrowed watching the object of his affections sleep deeply; knowing that the odds were stacked against her.