This is the final chapter. It was fun to write a story from one point of view only and I enjoyed inflicting bodily harm on my two favourite men. Thank you for reading and for the reviews. I hope you enjoy the conclusion to the story.

Voices from the Past

Chapter Eight

There was the sound of a pistol shot followed by galloping hooves and shouting. Aramis looked in amazement as the courtyard filled with Musketeers, Treville at their head.

"By order of King Louis this man is to be released," Treville called.

Porthos rode forward, his pistol aimed at the executioner. "Get your hand away from that lever or I'll blow your brains out."

Aramis drew in a shuddering breath but his voice wasn't trustworthy enough for him to speak.

"Get that rope off his neck," Porthos growled. "And don't try any funny business. I'm just in the mood to shoot someone."

"This is outrageous," the Duke spluttered. "You have no right…"

"Shut up," Treville said coldly. "The King doesn't take kindly to having his men abducted and spirited out of the country."

The executioner had removed the noose and Aramis heard footsteps behind him.

"Hold still and I'll untie you," d'Artagnan said.

The rope was quickly removed and his hands fell limply to his sides. "How…?"

"We'll tell you later." D'Artagnan's hands on his shoulders encouraged him to turn round. "You look like hell and your wrists are a mess."

"You are a most welcome sight."

"Where's Athos?"

"Oh, God!" His heart lurched in his chest. "They have him locked up. He will think I'm dead."

"Alright. I'll find him." D'Artagnan pointed to one of the Duke's soldiers. "Take me to my friend."

The man looked to the Duke who nodded sullenly.

"I'm coming with you," Aramis said. He gripped the handrail on the stairs firmly as his legs wouldn't stop shaking. In fact his whole body was trembling with relief. He met Porthos at the bottom of the steps and took a minute to hug him.

"We thought we'd lost you," Porthos said.

"Almost." He grinned at Treville before turning to lead the way to the cell.

When the door was unlocked he stood in the doorway to give his eyes time to adjust to the lack of light. He finally made out the shape of Athos lying on a mattress with his back turned to the door.

"Athos!" He quickly strode across the room, concerned by the lack of reaction. "Athos. Treville is here with the Musketeers. We are free."

"Aramis?" Athos spoke tentatively as if he expected to find this was all a dream. He rolled over and peered up. "You're not dead." He sat up before rising to his feet and gripping Aramis' shoulders. "I don't understand."

D'Artagnan looked around to ensure they were alone. "The Duchess sent a message to Captain Treville. He went to the King. Louis wasn't happy and ordered a troop of Musketeers to go to Savoy. We rode day and night, afraid that we would be too late."

"You nearly were." Aramis shuddered at the memory of how close he had come to death. "It is a wonder that the King would take the chance on alienating Savoy just to ensure our safety."

"He took this as an act of aggression against France. I believe he gave Treville some very specific instructions as to what to say to the Duke. Now, come, let us get out of here."

They walked back into the sunlit courtyard together and joined Porthos who was watching Treville and the Duke.

"I don't know what they Captain is sayin' to him but the Duke doesn't like it," Porthos said after clasping hands with Athos.

Treville was standing very close to the Duke, talking and jabbing a finger into the Duke's chest. The Duchess had retreated a few feet away and when she caught Athos' eyes, he bowed to her. She gave the barest nod in response before returning her attention to her husband.

"Are you two alright?" Porthos asked.

"The Duke was rather insistent on a confession," Aramis said. "But no lasting damage was done." He felt weak with relief and swayed slightly as the blood drained from his head. Porthos' arm was immediately around his waist, supporting him. "I believe I need to sit down."

He collapsed onto one of the steps leading to the gallows and lowered his head, breathing shallowly and too fast. He recognised the signs of shock.

"Will you be able to ride?" d'Artagnan asked. "I don't think Treville wants to linger here."

"I have no wish to remain here either," Aramis said. He was feeling decidedly dizzy but was confident that he would recover with a few minutes rest. Almost immediately he was back on his unsteady legs when Treville walked over to join them. "Captain."

"Aramis. Athos. It's good to see you both."

"What did you say to the Duke?" Athos asked curiously.

"The King has threatened to halve the monies paid to Savoy."

"Won't that just drive him into the arms of Spain?" Aramis asked.

"The Duke knows now that the King has agents in Savoy. If there is even a hint that he is talking to the Spanish Louis will send in the troops and the Duke will be deposed. The King has also made it clear that he won't tolerate another attack on the Musketeers."

"I'm surprised the King would risk an international incident to save us."

"It wasn't entirely unselfish of him, Athos. Tensions are continuing to rise in Paris. Louis would love an excuse to annex Savoy and better protect his border." Treville looked at them critically. "You have been ill-used. What are your injuries?"

"They are as you see. Aramis has a cracked rib and back pain. I have cuts and bruises, nothing more."

"If you need time to recover it will have to be on the road. The Duke has ordered us to leave immediately."

"I have no wish to stay." Aramis glanced at the balcony but the Duke had gone. He sat down again almost involuntarily to wait while the horses were readied.

"So the Duke's just goin' to get away with what he did?" Porthos asked angrily.

"There is a limit to King Louis' influence. This is a sovereign nation. Technically he has no authority here."

"There has to be something we can do, Captain," d'Artagnan said.

"Just be thankful that we arrived in time to save Aramis' life." Treville walked off to issue the orders necessary for them to leave.

"Is he alright?" Porthos was trying to keep his voice down but the words still reached Aramis' ears.

"The Duke was cruel. We camped one night in the glade where the massacre happened."

"I'll kill him!" Porthos growled.

Aramis stood up weakly and joined them. "It's alright, my friend. Athos' presence helped to chase away the voices from the past. I have faced my fears and emerged intact and I am stronger for it."

Although neither Porthos nor d'Artagnan looked particularly convinced neither spoke their doubts aloud.

"You and the Captain seem to be getting along better," Athos observed.

"He's promised me answers about my father."

"I'm happy for you."

"What's important now is gettin' you two back to Paris. Who grabbed you anyway?"

Aramis almost shuddered at the memory. "It was Bastian Hebert and his men."

Porthos grinned wolfishly. "Now him we can take care of."

"It's time to go," Treville called.

Porthos stayed close to Aramis' side until he was mounted. It would be an unpleasant ride and, he suspected, a slow one. Everyone was tired. Treville and his men had covered the distance from Paris to Savoy in less than three days which showed a fierce dedication. There was nothing Aramis could say that would adequately convey his gratitude. They formed up with him and Athos safely ensconced near the centre of the pack flanked by their brothers. Aramis rode away without a backward glance. He would never forget those of his comrades who died on that fateful long-ago night, but as long as he had his brothers he would endure.

They had ridden for no more than two hours before Treville called a halt. "We'll make camp here."

They had taken a route well north-east of the glade where the massacre had taken place so Aramis had no fears of bad dreams troubling his sleep. He was grateful for the respite as his ribs and back had become more troublesome. Not that he would ever admit that to the Captain. He dismounted stiffly and led his horse to a nearby stream to drink. When he went to unsaddle the animal Porthos was there gently pushing him out of the way. He accepted the assistance with good grace and went to seek out Treville.

"I owe you my life," he said.

"Did you ever doubt that we would come for you?"

"In all honesty I never expected the King to give you leave and we weren't even certain that the Duchess had sent word." He leaned wearily against a tree. "This must be hard for you too."

"Nothing to do with the Duke of Savoy is easy," Treville answered, failing to accept the opening that Aramis had just offered to him.

"Have you been back to Savoy since...?" He found that he was unable to finish the question when he saw the naked sorrow in Treville's eyes.

"Once, a couple of years ago. It doesn't get any easier."

"Then let us pray that neither of us has cause to return in the future."

"You should rest," Treville said. "You have been through a traumatic experience as has Athos. Exhaustion is understandable."

Aramis nodded, mentally and physically drained by the events of the last few weeks. "Thank you, Captain." He rejoined his friends, sitting shoulder to shoulder with Porthos around the fire and it wasn't long before sleep claimed him.

TMTMTM

It was two weeks before Aramis and Athos were cleared for duty and they only had one thought on their minds. Whenever he had been off duty Porthos had loitered around The Falcon out of uniform, watching Bastian Hebert.

"He's flush with coin," Porthos reported. "The Duke must 'ave paid him well for his services."

"How many men does he have?" Athos asked.

"They come and go but there's rarely less than half a dozen hangin' around him."

"That doesn't sound so bad," Athos said. "We can deal with that number of ruffians."

Aramis finished cleaning his pistols and loaded them carefully before attaching them to his belt. "I want him to pay for what he did," he said. "A quick death is too easy for him."

"We'll do our best to take him alive but he might not give us the chance," d'Artagnan said.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Athos looked at him with concern.

"I've waited too long already. Are you coming?"

They left the garrison and walked in silence along the main thoroughfare before turning off into an interconnected series of alleys which led to the part of town where The Falcon was situated. A feeling of deep anger swept over Aramis when he thought of all the damage Hebert had done to him and Athos. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, his body trembling with the need for action.

Porthos led the way into the tavern and continued on towards the table where Hebert sat surrounded by his men. Aramis and Athos stayed in the shadows by the door while d'Artagnan followed Porthos to watch his back.

"I want a word with you," Porthos bellowed.

Hebert looked up and must have seen Porthos' pauldron because a fleeting look of fear crossed his face. "What's a Musketeer doing here?"

Two of his men stood up and gripped the knives at their waists.

"You kidnapped two of my brothers and handed them over to the Duke of Savoy."

"You have no proof of that," Hebert said smugly.

Aramis and Athos walked out of the shadows and Hebert's face drained of colour. He frantically gestured to his men to block the way, stood up and began to edge backwards.

Porthos growled and launched himself at the man nearest to him, knocking him to the ground. Aramis quickened his pace, at the same time as drawing his sword. While the other three kept Hebert's men occupied he circled round to face his foe. Hebert had drawn a long knife which he held threateningly in front of him.

"How did you escape?" he asked.

"We have many friends and they came for us." Aramis prowled towards Hebert who continued to back away. "Surrender and face justice."

Herbert lashed out with his knife and Aramis knocked it aside.

"You will pay for your crimes and this time you won't be able to bribe your way out of prison. You are to be confined to the cells under the Louvre and you will be brought before the King to answer for your actions."

"Then you might as well try and kill me now because we both know he'll condemn me to death. I'd rather die by the sword than face the noose."

"Yet you had no trouble condemning me to that fate." Aramis feinted left and then lunged, slashing Hebert's left arm before withdrawing.

The sounds of fighting around them was gradually lessening and Aramis sensed a presence at his side. Athos extended his rapier towards Hebert.

"It would be my pleasure to kill you," he said. "However, Aramis wants to see justice done."

They moved in tandem towards their quarry who backed up and collided with a table. Quicker than thought Aramis rushed forwards and engaged Hebert who fought desperately to retain a hold on his knife. With a twist of his wrist Aramis send it spinning away and then his sword was resting against Hebert's chest.

Porthos joined him, holding out a set of shackles. "Be my guest," he said.

Aramis sheathed his sword and locked the shackles around Hebert's wrists with more than a hint of satisfaction. He stood watching Porthos herd the man towards the door and knew that his ordeal was finally over.

The End