Chapter 6

"Porthos!"

The general whipped around grabbing for his pistol, but found it missing. He had no idea how long he had been walking, but he was no closer to his men. He was sure they were supposed to be right here.

"Porthos, stand down!"

Porthos stilled. He knew that voice, his captain. "Cap'n," he turned looking ahead holding up his lantern.

"Porthos, the war is over; it's time to go home."

A hand rested on Porthos' shoulder prodding him forward.

"My men," Porthos shook his head.

"They've gone home," Athos said.

Porthos was confused. Something wasn't right.

"Porthos, your wife and daughter are waiting for you."

Porthos felt weak and tired. He began to slump forward only to feel an arm hold him up.

"Stay with me, Porthos. Come brother, time to return home."

Porthos nodded letting himself be supported. His hand started falling to his side. He didn't notice Athos had grabbed hold of his lantern.

TM

Elodie stood quickly seeing the front door begin to open. She briefly noticed Sylvie taking Marie from her only to quickly turn and rush over to the door. "Porthos."

She looked at Athos confused seeing her husband slumped in the other man's arms.

"He's asleep," Athos explained leading him over to the sofa and letting him down gently.

"Athos, what's going on?" Elodie demanded.

"Elodie, take our extra room with Marie tonight. Porthos can sleep here on the sofa," Athos began.

"But…" Elodie started to protest, but glancing over to her husband she realized she probably wasn't going to get any answers for now. "All right."

"Come on," Sylvie gently wrapped an arm around Elodie guiding her to their extra room.

"Maman," Marie's sleepy voice whispered from Sylvie's arms.

"It's all right, baby," Elodie reached out with one hand resting it against her daughter's back. "We're staying at Uncle Athos' and Auntie Sylvie's for the night.

"Auntie Sylvie?" The little girl looked up.

"Hello my darling," Sylvie kissed the top of Marie's head. "Let's get you and maman to bed, ok?"

"K," Marie rested her head back against Sylvie's shoulder falling asleep before she was put down on the bed.

Elodie shared a smile with Sylvie. "Thankfully she's always been fast at falling asleep."

"It takes Raoul a long time to get to sleep, but once he does; he sleeps like a rock for hours," Sylvie said. "Is there anything I can do?"

"No," Elodie got comfortable under the blanket. "Thank you for everything, Sylvie. I should have thanked Athos."

"No worries, he was happy to do it. Porthos is his family and you and Marie are as well."

Elodie didn't know what to say so she just nodded her head. They said their goodnights and Sylvie slipped out of the room.

Elodie checked on Marie who was lying next to her making sure she was secure. She wondered what the morning would bring. Would Porthos remember what happened this night? Would he talk to her about it? She sighed wishing she had some answers. Too exhausted to think anymore, she closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep.

TM

Porthos woke with a pain in his neck and back. The unusual surface he was laying on confused him. He opened his eyes taking in the light of the morning sun just coming up and streaming through the curtains.

He frowned confused. This wasn't his house. "Elodie!" Panic started to rise within him. He stumbled up off the sofa. He looked for his boots when he realized he was barefoot. His boots were placed next to the sofa and his doublet was draped over the armrest of the sofa.

"Elodie!" He yelled out again grabbing his boots.

Elodie appeared moments later from the hall with Athos close behind.

"Porthos, is everything all right?" Elodie reached him resting her hands on his shoulders.

"What's going on?" Porthos asked.

"You went sleepwalking in the middle of the night," Athos said.

"What?" Porthos frowned.

"You wandered nearly into the woods," Athos continued.

"Where…?" Porthos looked around halting.

"We're at Athos and Sylvie's house," Elodie said. "I brought Marie here last night with me to ask Athos for help finding you."

Porthos didn't like the distress on Elodie's face. "Love, what did I do?"

Elodie shook her head looking confused. "Athos told you what you did."

"I didn't harm you or Marie, did I?" He felt the panic well up in him again as it had when he first woke.

"No," Elodie shook her head vigorously looking shocked. "Of course not; you would never hurt us. You could never hurt us," she rested her hand along his cheek.

"Papa, maman" Porthos looked over where Marie-Cessette was walking along with Sylvie holding her hand while Raoul was held in his mother's other arm.

He watched as Marie came over wrapping her arms around his leg. Porthos then looked up at his wife who was looking at him as if waiting for him to do something. He resisted the sigh that wanted out and reached down picking his daughter up into his arms. "Hello love," he kissed her blonde hair.

"Shall we have breakfast?" Sylvie asked.

"We wouldn't want to impose," Porthos said.

"Porthos," Athos began as he took his son from Sylvie as she passed him over. "You are not imposing."

Porthos shared a glance with Elodie and they silently agreed to accept the offer.

TBC