Chapter 9. Beginning Of The End
AN: I hid in a blanket and pillow cave while writing this
They woke the next morning and D'artagnan had fortunately broken his small fever during the night. The wound on his shoulder looking a bit better, thou the others still wouldn't let him get up.
"I think I kinda passed out while we were talking", D'artagnan says sheepishly between bites of bread.
"Yup, you were snoring so loud I couldn't hear myself think", Porthos teases and D'art rolls his eyes.
"So what's the plan?" D'artagnan asks...
Previous night~
"We need to face Rochefort and beat him at his own manipulative game", Aramis says.
"How?" Pothos raises an eyebrow both him and Athos intrigued.
"By getting him to attack us in the King's presence. Without him knowing King Louis is watching", Aramis scratches his chin in thought.
"Athos and Captain Treville could try to get a audience with the King" Porthos suggests.
"That idea could work", Athos says with a smile.
"But the rest would all fall on D'artagnan", Aramis says and the three look at the dozing D'artagnan with mirroring frowns.
Present morning~
"So I'm bait", D'artagnan says with a pout.
"Well I wouldn't call it that..." Athos starts.
"No you're definitely the bait", Porthos states bluntly, Athos and Aramis shooting him an icy glare.
"We'll all be there behind the curtain D'art", Aramis says patting him on the shoulder.
"Easy for you to say", D'artagnan closes his eyes with a sigh.
"We don't like it anymore then you do, but it's the only plan that could work", Athos says with a serious expression.
"And out of all of us you make people the most angry", Porthos supplies with a toothy grin.
"It's a gift and a curse", D'artagnan smirks.
"We'll set it up for tomorrow, if all goes well it will be Rochefort and the red guard who will be in the dog house for once", Athos says.
"Are you up for it?" Aramis asks.
"Yes", D'artagnan nods.
Next Day~
"Why Athos when I heard you requested an audience with me I was quite surprised and as to the odd nature of your request it has both intrigued and unnerved me", King Louis says from his throne looking down at Athos and Captain Treville.
"I understand your majesty but it was of the utmost importance we talk", Athos says respectfully with a bow keeping his eyes to the floor.
"Yes well I would like to know what is going on, I am none to pleased with the musketeers as of late", The King taps his finger on the arm rest of his throne making Treville uncomfortable.
"That is why I have come. I hope to rekindle your faith in us your majesty. Would you accompany me to a private room so we may talk about this at length?" Athos inquiries and Louis considers it for a moment then relents and follows his best musketeer and his Captain out of the throne room up a flight of stairs and into a private room with a walls of curtains at the far end of the room. Behind the curtains they lead the king to a table surrounded by wooden chairs. At the table already seated but they rise to bow to the King as he arrives is Aramis and Porthos.
"Well this certainly is odd", The kind muses as they all take a seat at the table with Captain Treville, Athos, Aramis And Porthos.
"Well then, explain", The King says folding his hands together.
"Captain Rochefort of the red guard is and has been lying to you and has been plotting against us for a long time your majesty", Athos says and Louis blanches.
"You know such allegations cannot go unwarranted, Rochefort has proven to be a trusted member of my court", The King snaps.
"I do not plan for it to go unwarranted your highness", Athos stays calm, "If you would only listen and watch in the next few minutes I believe you will know everything". Louis looks at his musketeers for a long moment seemingly trying to decide if he should listen.
"Alright I shall play along for now", Louis says and Athos motions towards the curtains and points out holes cut out in the curtains. Everyone rises and walks over to them and looks through the holes. A minute later a scuffle is heard in the hall and heavy breathing, the door is slammed open and D'artagnan is thrown into the room looking a little worse for wear and a red guard walks in and kicks him in the side. The King's eyes bulge and is about to say something when Captain Treville just shakes his head and Louis remains silent watching intently.
"Just wait til Rochefort gets here", the red guard smiles as he watches D'artagnan struggle to stand. D'artagnan spits at him and is rewarded with another shove to the ground. Porthos and the others grind there with anger but stay quiet, D'artagnan agreed to do this and they can't ruin this. Not now.
Four minutes go by of D'artagnan sitting on the ground glaring at the red guard with hatred. Fast footsteps start to be heard from down the hall and the door is swung open by a smug looking Rochefort and two other red guards.
"Where are your so called 'Brothers' D'artagnan", Rochefort mocks as he slightly limps into the room, "I don't see them around anywhere this time to bail you out".
"I left without them knowing, to face you", D'artagnan lies steadily looking at the man.
"Such a foolish thing to do", Rochefort says walking over to him and pulling D'artagnan up by the front of his shirt.
"I'm not the fool here", D'artagnan growls and Rochefort punches D'artagnan in the nose, blood gushes out. The King shuffles slightly on his feet, uncomfortable with what he is seeing.
"You and those filthy musketeers ruined my plan to gain favor with that bratty king of yours! How shall I repay you for such a thing?" Rochefort says menacingly dropping D'artagnan to the stone floor. D'artagnan coughs and rolls his eyes to look up at Rochefort with a steely gaze.
"I don't know... maybe tell the King how you planned to give him only half the treasure back and sell the other half and keep the gold for yourself. Or maybe how you attacked the musketeers with your red guards without provocation... Or perhaps you could tell him how you're in love with his wife and plan to get him killed and steal Anne to have for yourself", D'artagnan drawls. Rochefort slams a foot down onto D'artagnan's leg and D'artagnan lets out a yelp.
"Do not worry D'artagnan. Once I am done with you I will get all of that and more. I will kill each one of your friends slowly, but not as slowly as I will kill you. The red guard with have reining power over everything", Rochefort slowly draws his sword.
"I HAVE HEARD QUITE ENOUGH", Louis roars and sweeps aside the curtains on the far wall. Rochefort's shocked face would be quite comical if not for the blade he held.
"Rochefort you are under arrest", Captain Treville says drawing his own blade. The other musketeers mirror his action a second later.
"Your majesty it's not what it looks like", Rochefort says taking a step back.
"I am quite certain it is what it looks like", King Louis says with an anger no one has ever heard before from the King. Rochefort looks from the King to the Musketeers then back again looking trapped. Then he looks to the floor and lunges forward pulling up D'artagnan and placing the blade of his sword to D'artagnan's throat.
"Let him go Rochefort!" Athos snarls.
"Know what I think!" Rochefort grins as the three red guards beside him take up positions on either side of him holding their blades. "I think that the musketeers suddenly went mad and slaughtered the king and we dispatched them but not soon enough". The King's face now a mix of shock and a fiery rage.
"That will never happen", D'artagnan says roughly, his nose still slightly bleeding a trail of red.
"Oh it sets my plans forward a few months but it can work", Rochefort says into D'artagnan's ear then yells, "Kill them!" at the red guards. They run forward at the musketeers and the king. The musketeer react without hesitation. Athos quickly dispatches the first one and Treville and Aramis the second and third while Porthos stands in a protective stance in front of the King. It was hardly even a fight and lasted no more than a few seconds. Rochefort swears and starts towards the door dragging D'artagnan.
"Give it up Rochefort!" Aramis yells.
"Not in your lifetime!" Rochefort spits and orders D'artagnan to open the door for them. D'artagnan refuses and Rochefort curses at him and lets go of D'artagnan to turn the knob but still keeping his swords blade to D'artagnan's neck with his other hand. D'artagnan takes the opportunity and raises his hand pushing the blade away from his neck and dives to the ground. A fast flurry of movement happens in the next few seconds. Athos and Aramis converge on Rochefort and blades slash through the air in a heated battle.
Treville drags/helps D'artagnan to the side of the room away from the fighting. Aramis is slashed on the leg and Athos acquires a cut on his cheek as he dives in and stabs Rochefort through the stomach. Rochefort's face pales as he looks down. He drops his sword and tries to pull out Athos's blade but fails to do so as he falls to his knees.
"I lost..." Rochefort says in disbelief staring off into space. Then he crumples backwards to the ground. A large red pool slowly growing out from around his midsection.
End Chapter 9. Sorry not sorry I went on a vacation... And I'm evil so there's that. Next chapter is the final one. Hope you've enjoyed the story this far. :) Thank-you to those who have favorited, followed and reviewed! You da bomb! And as always R & R and I'll update soon!
