Chapter 7

Aramis found himself sleeping a lot-more like falling asleep suddenly in the middle of doing things-during important meetings of the council.

He was having breakfast one morning with the queen and was mortified to realize he had fallen asleep in the middle of a conversation.

One afternoon the young king Louis-nearly nine-entered Aramis' rooms without knocking. Aramis woke to the boy tugging on his shirt sleeve repeating his name.

"Louis," the queen's voice caused Aramis' foggy mind to clear. "Louis, let's leave Aramis alone right now," Anne said.

Aramis began to argue, but she gave him a stern look.

"Rest, Aramis," she said.

Eventually he gave in and retreated to his bed.

A month had passed since his friends had told him how close he had come to death's door. He was starting to feel like some of his energy was returning. And he was becoming restless. A visit to the garrison would invigorate him.

Aramis managed to evade his nannies, as he liked to call the guards the queen had assigned to him. He had his sword, main gouche and a pistol on. He had also removed all signs of being the First Minister.

When he entered the garrison it was busy with recruits and experienced Musketeers sparring. He sat down on a bench just watching, taking it all in.

Someone sat down next to him. It was the captain, Aramis would know his brothers anywhere. There was no need to look.

"Minister, what are you doing here?"

Aramis just managed to hold back the grimace hearing the tight strain in d'Artagnan's voice.

"I was just out for a stroll, captain," Aramis said. "Thought I'd see how everything was going."

"Come," d'Artagnan slapped Aramis on the back as he stood.

Aramis looked at his friend and then the stairs to d'Artagnan's office. If he were being honest he was exhausted walking all this way to the garrison.

But then he realized d'Artagnan was heading towards the mess. It would only be a few feet and no stairs.

The room was empty thankfully. It took all of his strength to make it to the bench.

"Porthos and Elodie have invited all of us for supper tonight," d'Artagnan said as he poured each of them a cup of wine once Aramis was seated. "Do you think you would be up for it?"

"I'll do my best," Aramis said.

"Does anyone at the palace know you're here?" d'Artagnan asked.

"I left a note on my desk."

D'Artagnan shook his head, but said no more.

Aramis' head jerked up. He blinked at his surroundings. He had nodded off in the mess. "How long?" He asked d'Artagnan feeling his friend's hand on his shoulder.

"About fifteen minutes," d'Artagnan said. "Let's go." D'Artagnan grabbed hold of Aramis' arm.

"Where are we going?" Aramis asked.

"You can rest in one of the garrison's rooms until we're ready to go to supper if you're up for it then."

"I should get back to the palace," Aramis said.

"It's all right," d'Artagnan said as he guided Aramis out of the mess making sure it didn't look like he was actually guiding him. "I sent a message to the queen. She sent a note back telling us to take care of you and she will see you later this evening when I escort you back to the palace."

Aramis let himself be taken to a room where d'Artagnan removed his weapons. The captain guided him to sit on the bed before removing his boots.

There was a knock on the door and d'Artagnan walked over to open it. He stepped back letting Constance in. "Would you like some water, Aramis?" She held out a cup in one hand and a pitcher of water in the other. She put the pitcher down on a small dresser next to a bowl while Aramis drank the offered water.

"Thank you, Constance," Aramis said handing the empty cup back to her.

"We'll wake you when it is time to go," she said squeezing his hand as she passed him. She smiled at him and d'Artagnan before leaving the room.

"You are a very lucky man, mon ami," Aramis said.

D'Artagnan smiled clasping a hand on Aramis' shoulder. "Rest, brother," he leaned down wrapping one arm around Aramis shoulders pressing a kiss to the top of his head before leaving him to rest.

TBC