Finally, I have time to write! This week has just been so hard and frustrating, I just haven't had time to write. Anyway, here's another update. I hope you enjoy! Please make sure to read and review. Thanks for the great support!
-M

Aramis woke up to confusion and pain. His body burned the minute he found his way back to consciousness. He groaned, shutting his eyes closed.

"Aramis."

Anne.

He rushed to look at her, and sighed when seeing that she was unharmed. "Thank God, you're alright," he whispered.

The Queen leaned forward to kiss his forehead, taking his hand.

"How did you get me in here?" he asked quietly, his hand grasping for his side.

"It does not matter," Anne replied. "I need to change your bandages." She quickly helped him sit up, and then ripped off another piece of her dress and then wrapped them around his waist. She kept her eye on him as he tried his best to stay silent; the pain must have been unbearable.

When she finished, she leaned his body back against her, rubbing his arm.

The man began to tremble. He curled into himself, panting softly. "We … need t-to get out o-of here … now," he whispered.

"You need rest," Anne told him. "Please, let us stay here for a while."

Aramis looked around, and realized that they were in, yet, another cave. This one was much smaller the other. Outside, it was raining, hard, the water slowly creeping into their shelter. When he was too tired to even turn his head, he let his head fall back down on Anne's lap. He took a deep breath, feeling his ribs scream in protest. He let out a quiet whimper, suddenly feeling a gentle hand stroking his hair.

"Please, Aramis, just … try to keep still," Anne said. "We will be alright."

The Musketeer didn't speak for a few moments … until he finally sighed and said, "Fine. What use am I going to be like this anyway?"

"Aramis, you just everything to save me!" Anne exclaimed. "And you will continue to do just that until we're both home safely.. Please, now, just get some rest."

They both fell silent.

Anne continued to run her fingers through Aramis' messy hair. Like before, she really wanted to keep him comfortable … in however way she could.

But it was then that Aramis realized. "You shot him," he stated. "You s-shot that man…"

Anne took a deep breath, not saying anything.

Aramis looked up. "You shouldn't have … burdened yourself w-with something l-like that."
"I did what I have to, Aramis," the Queen replied. "I love you, and I will do everything to protect you … just like do to me."

Slowly, the man sat up, his body twitching. "Please t-tell me … you did not kill h-him…" He really hoped she didn't.

"No, I think I got his shoulder."

Once again, Aramis sighed.

"Aramis, I am truly sorry," Anne began. "I couldn't let you get killed. I wouldn't have forgiven myself for that. I do not know what I would have done without-"

She was cut off when Aramis crashed his lips onto hers. She gasped … but kissed him back. She could taste his tears in her mouth, and realized that he had forgiven her.

When he pulled away, Anne saw the tears steadily flowing down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. He sounded … broken.

Anne let out a breath and kissed him again, wanting to somehow assure him. "No," she said. "Please, don't apologize."

He pulled away again, and then he suddenly back leaned in, burying his head in the crook of her neck. He felt her wrap her arms around him, kissing the top of his head.

XxXxX

After the rain died - finally - died down, Anne rebandaged all of Aramis' wounds, and then they went back into the forest.

Now, instead of just going in whatever direction, Aramis began trying to find his way back to Paris. He hoped that he would make his way there as soon as possible, and to also not run into the men trying to hunt them down. At this point, he prayed that it was the latter.

Anne held onto Aramis the entire time, keeping a close eye on him, so he wouldn't fall. She could still feel him trembling, but she didn't know if it was from the cold, his wounds … or both.

"Stop right there!" someone yelled suddenly.
Aramis turned around, his eyes turning cold. It was the leader. He had his arm in a sling, and he was clearly angry.

"I will make you pay for what you did to me," the man growled. His eyes fell on the Queen, and they danced with fire. Anne felt like he could kill her just with his eyes.

Aramis snarled. "Don't you touch her," he said through gritted teeth, although Anne could hear the exhaustion hidden behind the anger.

The stranger smiled. "My employer, Dacheux, would love to have the Queen and a Musketeer as his captives," he said, taking out his rapier. "So watch me."

He lunged at Aramis, who took out his own weapon and deflected the hit. He grunted, and he felt his flesh tear open from his shoulder wound.

He couldn't pay any more attention to the injury as his opponent jumped at him again. His sword graced against his cheek; Aramis felt blood falling down his face instantly.

"Your Highness, get out of here!" he yelled, his eyes never leaving the sword that was flying towards him.

All of a sudden, the opponent took out a pistol, and without wasting a second aimed … and fired.

Aramis froze dead in his tracks. Looking down, he saw blood beginning to drip down his side.

He had been shot.

He collapsed, his world beginning to spin. He picked his head up and saw this strange man loading his musket again. Aramis had no more strength to fight any longer.

This was all to familiar to him.

"Who are you?" he croaked. He barely even recognized himself.

The man smiled. "My name is Thomas de Fournier," he said. "My employer, Nicolas de Dacheux sent me to kill the Queen. But he also said to kill anyone who gets in my way. You killed a lot of my comrades, Musketeer. It is time you pay for your sins-"

Aramis closed his eyes, preparing himself.

A gunshot sounded, but Aramis didn't feel anything. He opened his eyes, and saw Fournier lying on the ground, dead.

Aramis gasped.

And then familiar men were crowding around him.

"Aramis, are you with us?!" someone asked. His voice was gentle, and full of worry.

Porthos.

"Hmm," Aramis groaned.

Arms wrapped around him and he sunk into them.

"The Queen?" he whispered.

"She will be alright, Aramis, I swear," another man said.

Athos.

The injured Musketeer nodded…

… and then let himself drift into oblivion, so grateful that they were finally saved.