"I can assume that this 'Athos' and 'Porthos' are the companions you spoke of earlier?" I inquired later as we ate. Aramis had actually gone out and shot a deer, refusing to let D'artagnan or I leave the cave with our injuries. 'I've had worse' was dancing on the tip of my tongue, but I bit it back. No need for him to know.

Aramis nodded, "Yes. They are no doubt wondering where we have gone. As much as I wish for the two of you to rest until you are completely healed, we are still too close to the fort to be safe. We'll leave after nightfall tonight. We are safer in darkness."

D'artagnan nodded and I grinned, "Don't let me hold you back. I've done well on my own for several years, thank you very much."

Aramis frowned. "How old are you?"

I smirked, "Why would you like to know? But, to satisfy your curiosity, I am 19."

Aramis' frown deepened, "What of your parents? How long have you been alone?"

I shrugged, "My parents are long since dead. I've been on my own since I was 12. I've managed well enough alone for years. I don't need a babysitter now."

Aramis gave me a wry grin, "And what of a friend?"

I looked up at him in slight surprise. D'artagnan was suddenly paying attention as well and turned to me slightly.

"Well, I suppose that I've never had need of a friend before. Everyone steered clear of me in the past. No one really wants to make a friend with someone who isn't going to stay." I muttered.

"Why don't you stay in one place?" D'artagnan questioned innocently.

I looked up at him, "Never had a reason too."

They both looked away from me at that. I shook it off and walked over to my saddle. I sat back down and leaned against it.

"You guys might want to get some rest too if we're leaving tonight. Wake me up, Aramis, in an hour and you can get some sleep too." I murmured. The only response that I got was a brief murmur of agreement.

I closed my eyes, and soon I was fast asleep.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." I murmured as I felt someone move my sword slightly. I held a dagger in my right hand, and it was pointed at whoever was touching me.

I opened my eyes to see Aramis bent over me with a small smirk on his face. "Well then, you sleep like Athos. I was only attempting to remove your sword so you slept more comfortably."

I sat up, sheathing the dagger, and looked around the cave.

D'artagnan was asleep near the fire, and was wrapped in his cloak. As well as the cloak I last saw on Aramis. I looked outside to see the blaring sunlight brightening everything outside. It was most decidedly not an hour after I fell asleep. If I had to guess, it was around 3:00.

I sighed and looked up at Aramis. I got to my feet and threw my cloak at him. "Get some sleep, Aramis. I'll keep watch."

He looked ready to protest but I silenced him with a glare, "Don't bother. You will be no use to D'artagnan if you are falling asleep on your horse instead of being aware. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not get shot because one member of our odd little group isn't being watchful because he can't keep his eyes open. You didn't get any sleep since you got to the fort. I know, I heard you and D'artagnan arguing. So get some sleep."

He closed his mouth with a snap, offered me a wry grin, and laid down next to D'artagnan.

I smirked and began to make myself useful by cleaning up the makeshift camp, being as quiet as possible. Something that was easy for me.

By the time the sun had begun to set, the camp was completely spotless expect for the two lying by what used to be where the fire was.

I saddled the horses quickly, made sure everything was packed and in its proper place, then walked back into the cave to wake my companions.

I shook Aramis' shoulders lightly and he woke with a start. He leapt to his feet, gave me a fleeting glance, before walking outside with his hands going through his hair. I shook my head and picked up his hat before waking D'artagnan.

He groaned as he woke up. When his eyes were opened and semi focused, he glared at me. I snickered and held up my hands, "I apologize. It seems you need more beauty sleep. I'll tell Aramis so we can stay another day."

I heard Aramis laugh as he entered the cave, "Poor D'artagnan needs to be put into a life long sleep if it will help his looks. Unlike myself."

D'artagnan muttered some unsavory things in low French. I laughed, being close enough to hear him, and held my hand out.

He sighed, then allowed me to help him to his feet. "Thanks." He murmured quietly.

I grinned, twirling Aramis' hat in my hands before putting it on my head. I turned to the owner of said hat and asked, "So? What do you think?"

He pondered, tapping his chin, then shook his head, "Sadly, I do not think that hat suits you."

I clasped my hands to my heart, "Oh no! And here I thought I looked dashing! Oh well, I have my own hat. Somewhere in my saddle bags." I flipped the hat off of my head and onto Aramis'.

He smirked at me and I shrugged. I swung my cloak onto my shoulders and walked outside to the horses. After getting the black (Slightly rumpled) hat from my saddle bags, I straightened it out and put it on my head. It could technically be called a pirate style hat, but I liked it. It had a raven's feather sticking out of it that I had found months ago that added a certain charm to the good looking leather.

I enjoyed wearing it, and, if needed, I could pull it over my eyes and see, without people noticing I was watching. The thing with blue eyes is that everyone can see them easily. Although, because I wore dark clothing, my eyes were a lot darker, but they were still extremely bright.

And when I was observing people for a job, I didn't want to be noticed.

M

I considered hitting my head on a passing tree. Perhaps knock myself out.

It was now the 15th time Aramis had sung the exact same song….. That I didn't want to be stuck in my head all…. Damn….. day…

He had a great voice. But I just wish he'd sing something else!

D'artagnan looked like he was having the same problem I was having. He honestly looked ready to hurl himself off of his horse, and down into the raging river next to us.

I rolled my eyes, "Hey, Aramis, I don't think the Spanish know where we are yet. Sing louder."

He smirked at me as he sang the same verse again.

I stuck my tongue out at him, then decided to switch tactics.

I opened my mouth and began to sing an old Welsh song. It achieved the desired effect, and Aramis stopped singing. He turned in his saddle and stared at me with a small smile. D'artagnan stared at me with an open mouth and I stopped singing.

"Wait! Why'd you stop?" D'artagnan asked.

I gave them both an incredulous look. "What? Did you actually like my singing?" They both nodded, and I gave them a small smile. "Well… Thanks. My mother insisted I know how to perform lady-like things too. So I was taught how to sing at a young age. Didn't think I was actually good at it though…"

Aramis smiled at me. "Madame, you have the voice of an angel."

D'artagnan nodded vehemently.

I opened my mouth to respond, but at that moment, a musket ball zoomed past my head and my horse reared.

Unprepared for it, I fell backwards and hit the dirt.

Aramis shouted at D'artagnan to get away, and that he couldn't fight with his injuries, so he should move the horses out of the way.

D'artagnan, instead, decided to swing off of his horse, grab mine, tie his horse and mine together, then send them off and draw his rapier.

I rolled my eyes at him, mouthed 'moron', and drew my musket.

I took aim at the people beginning to come over the small ridge.

I could hear Aramis shouting, D'artagnan shouting back, the river raging near us, and the bangs of more musket's firing. The dirt shifting underneath me, and the tree's splintered around me as the balls got closer to where I was standing, completely in the open, aiming my musket.

I took a breath, then fired.

One man fell as my musket ball hit him square in the chest.

I put my musket back on my belt, then dived to the side behind a rock.

I could see people falling one after the other as Aramis fired at them. He was good, and he didn't miss.

As the shots lulled to a close, Aramis called out, "Would you like to surrender now? Or would more of you like to fall?"

One of the men, I assume the leader, shouted, in a very thick accent, "Why should we surrender to stupid Musketeers such as yourselves?" He spoke with speed, and the lilt every Spaniard had.

I coughed through a laugh, "Uh, because you aren't doing so well. There is three of us, none of us have fallen, I stood in the open even, and none of us even got clipped. Yet, how many of yours have fallen?"

Aramis coughed, "That was a good line, however, you and D'artagnan never need to be alone faced with enemies. Both of you will die because of your insistent taunting."

D'artagnan snorted, "Aramis, how many times have we gotten in trouble because of your quick tongue?"

"Now, D'artagnan, to which use are you meaning?" Aramis snarked.

D'artagnan hit his head on a rock with a muffled sigh.

"Enough!" The leader, who I was going to call moron from now on, snarled, drawing his sword. "Show me how well you are with sword! Instead of word!"

I nodded to Aramis, "Now that was impressive wordplay."

Aramis shrugged, "I think you and I could do better, with less words."

"Now who's taunting?" I teased.

"God help me." D'artagnan muttered.

"Vamanos!" Moron shouted and all of his soldiers streamed down the ridge, swords drawn.

"Well, this should be fun." I said with a grin.