Hello readers, this is it. Last chapter. There will be only bonus with the book, but this is the end.
Thanks to MusketeerAdventure, TheseWordsAreUnspoken, dg101, BurnedSpy and everyone who has read this story.
Thanks for reviews, reading and motivation. You are amazing guys. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own The Musketeers.
"Aw." Aramis woke up with a throbbing pain. He tried to touch the place of the source of pain, but could not.
"What the..." He was tied up. Then remembered what happened and Aramis had only one thought.
"Grace?!"
"Aramis? Finally. I began to really worry." Gracelyn's voice came from the left. Aramis looked in that direction and breathed a sigh of relief, did not see the injury, but still asked her.
"Are you okay?"
"So okay, as for the current situation I can be. But cannot say it about Henry." Grace nodded her head towards the opposite wall, where the Englishman lay still unconscious.
Aramis finally looked up. It looked like a cellar. The three of them were strapped shackles. There were only two narrow windows in which were the lattices. It didn't look exactly like a prison, but someone really wanted to no one could escape.
"What happened?" Aramis asked, remembering them both with Henry entered the house, but then the memories were foggy.
"When I came into the kitchen, Bonacieuxes were tied and had a mouth gag. I wanted to call you, but they said, that if I will speak, they will shoot them." Grace looked at Aramise. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. You had no choice." Aramis soothed her. "I'm fine."
"Then you and Henry came. They stunned you first, then him. They waited for will be more dark, and then covered my eyes, and carried us here." Grace looked apologetic. "I asked them, to let you in Boncieux's. You have nothing in common. They didn't listen. Obviously."
"So you think it is Addington?" Aramis persuaded himself.
"I'm sure." Gracelyn replied firmly. "I recognised one of them. It is Addington's obedient dog from England."
"Do you think he knows that the evidence is in king's hands?" Aramis knew that knows or not, neither one of options is not encouraging. They will be tortured or killed.
"We will probably learn soon." Grace remarked, when she looked at the opening door.
XXX
Athos was going toward the garrison. He knew that things with Addington have not finished yet, but now, when the evidence has been submitted to the king, wondering what will be with Grace. He liked the idea of her returning back into his life. In addition, when Grace is with Aramis, it doesn't seem that she will leave Paris.
Aramis and Gracelyn. He must get used to. That night when he heard how Grace went with Aramis into his room, Athos was angry. Although Aramis is a great and honorable man and always behaves respectfully with women, he occasionally uses his charm to advantage them. And she is his little Grace. It seemed to him as yesterday, when she announced that moving to Paris. They quarreled so much. She was so young and Paris was dangerous. But as he said Aramis, Grace has never listened him. Back then, she still seemed like a child to him, but now he saw that she is a woman. Whatever he likes or not.
Therefore Athos understood that he cannot prevent it. And actually does not want to. Gracelyn always looked for her brave and honest knight, and Aramis was probably the most similar man to this idea she could find.
Aramis, on the other hand was still heartbroken from the queen. Then they heard that the queen is pregnant, Athos knew that they have a problem. But the queen rebutted this presumption. Personally, she said Aramis that the child is king's. Aramis in that moment lost all hopeless dreams. But Athos convinced him that this is better. Even if this child was his, he would never be his father. And it was Grace who helped Aramis with the pain most.
So Athos figured out he is actually happy that they are together.
As soon as he got to the garrison went up to Treville's office. It was foolish to hope that Addington already was already found, but Athos will not have peace until he asks. Treville was always the first awake and in a duty, so Athos hoped that finds him in the office. Knocked.
"Come in."
"Captain, I only wanted to ask if someone already has registered Addington in Paris."
"No." Treville has waited, that Athos will be the first who asks. This whole matter was too personal. "When I learn something, immediately report back to you."
"Thank you." Athos left and already on the stairs he heard Porthos' and d'Artagnan's laughter.
"What is so funny?" Athos asked when he came down to his friends and sat down next to them.
"Oh, nothing." Porthos responded quickly and tried to stop laughing. Athos turned to d'Artagnan.
"Seriously, nothing." D'Artagnan really tried, but when Athos still intently staring, finally answered.
"We just wondered how you actually found out about Aramis and Gracelyn. We all were still together and Porthos nor I had not noticed anything. If I didn't hear how they talking about it, I didn't know."
"Somehow I do not understand here the funny part." Athos said, but started to have an inkling of which direction their thoughts are going.
"Well, d'Artagnan heard as talking about it, so we thought if you heard..." looking at Athos Porthos remained dead silent, but did not stop smiling. Athos ignored his innuendo and asked.
"Did you see them actually? Aramis said they are coming in the morning."
"Maybe they have something else to do." Porthos laughed.
"I will go to met them." Athos said them and rose.
"Wait a minute, maybe seriously just delayed." D'artagnan soothed, but he was starting to get worried. Aramis usually doesn't come late.
"You think something happened." Porthos stopped laughing and asked seriously.
"I do not know." Athos replied.
"We will go with you." Porthos was already standing. D'artagnan hesitated a moment, still thought of Constance and didn't know if it is a good idea to see her.
"We'll probably met them on the way." Porthos understood his hesitation. D'artagnan nodded and they went off.
XXX
Fear. Although Grace tried to prevent this and assumed that it will be him, fear was the first thing she felt when Addington came into the room. Fear and hatred. It was like she went back in time and the scars began to burn again. But this time it was different. She was not alone and therefore it was worse. Here she was with Aramis, the man whom she loves and Henry, the man who saved her. And the idea that they would have experienced the true face of Addington's madness troubled her most of all.
Aramis understood that Addington himself stands before him. His blood began to simmer. A man who wants to kill the king belongs to the gallows, but the man who hurts a woman deserves something much worse. Especially when that woman is Grace.
"So we meet again my Lady." Addington had the mealy-mouthed voice and a cold smile on his face. Enjoyed the anxiety of the people around.
"I would rather die than be your Lady!" Gracelyn hissed.
"Do not be afraid, it can happen too." Addington said and turned to Aramis.
"The king's musketeer." he said with disgust. "How convenient."
"Leave him alone!" Grace screamed. Fear coloured her voice.
"You care about him." Addington was staring on them alternately. "Is that love?" Stayed to watch the Grace, who was deeply silent. "Nice. His pain maybe convince you to tell the truth and if not... Well, we can start where we left off." Addington was still smiling, but had anger in the eyes.
"King has those contracts." Aramis wanted to attract his attention. He will not allow Addington hurts Grace. And the longer he delays, the more time the others will have to find them. Soon they discover that they are gone and they begin to look for them.
"You're lying!" Addington was mad. This bitch already nearly ruined his plan and delayed it, now he cannot hesitate.
"I am not. Each musketeers and also a member of the guard are looking for you now." Aramis smiled. "And I wouldn't want to be you when her cousin comes." nodded his head towards Grace.
"No!" Addington came closer and hit Aramis with the back of his hand. Aramis looked at him hatefully and spat a mixture of saliva and blood to his feet. Then Addington came to Henry and kicked him.
"Wake up!" Henry twisted his face with pain and slowly opened his eyes. "What have you done with those plans!" Addington craved answers.
"They are gone." Henry whispered. "King has them now."
Addington kicked him once again and went to the door. Before he left, turned around and angrily snarled.
"We haven't end up!"
XXX
Athos came to the door and knocked.
"Madame Bonacieux?" He looked at the others, all had bad thoughts. He pulled out a musket and slowly went inside. As soon as they came into the kitchen, saw the tied spouses. D'artagnan immediately rushed to Constance and pulled a gag from her mouth.
"Thanks god." Constance said the hoarse voice. "We are here like this for hours."
"Are you okay?" D'artagnan asked carefully. Constance nodded and massaging her wrists.
"What happened?" Athos could not wait any longer, already saw Gracelyn's room. It was messy. Attackers were obviously looking for something and the longer they delayed the less chances of their apprehension remained.
"What happened?!" Monsieur Bonacieux shouted. "Group of criminals came and tied us! It happened because of your friend. If you think, that she will come into this house once more, you are wrong! Only problems are with you!"
Porthos leapt forward to angry men and; caught him by the collar.
"This ain't about you." he said threateningly. "Our friends have disappeared and you will help to find them. Understood?"
Bonacieux tremblingly nodded.
"Okay." Prothos let him go and with a smile patted his shoulder. "Otherwise you will talk with Athos."
Bonacieux looked at the musketeer's leader and swallowed. Athos looked like a coming storm.
"What happened?" D'artagnan asked Constance gently.
"Five men came last night, pulled the muskets and said that if we will talk they will shoot us." Constance looked at Athos. Although Grace lived there just a moment, Constance took a fancy to her. She was really nice and told Constance about her relationship with Athos.
"I'm sorry, but when Grace came they threatened to kill her as well as us. After a while Aramis came with a man, whom I do not know. Both was stunned, carried away, and we had left here tied up."
"Talking about where are they going?" Athos asked. He looked calm, but was congealed and strict.
"No." Constance shook her head. "But I saw from the window how they go east."
Athos nodded. "At least we have something. Sorry for the problems."
"So the east?" D'artagnan asked, when they came out,
"The east." Athos agreed. Not much, but someone had to see them. Eight people do not just get lost on the night street.
XXX
"Are you okay, Henry?" Grace asked, after Addington left.
"It could be better." He whispered and his head fell to his chest once again. Obviously had pain, but as long as they were here and attached there was nothing to do.
"We will be okay, yeah?" Aramis said Grace. "The only thing we need it's time. They will find us. Musketeers are good in this."
"I know Aramis. But I hope to hurry, because Addington will want to disappear. Quickly. And doubt that he will leave us alone." For a moment she paused.
"Aramis?"
"Yes?"
"Promise me, that you will not do something stupid." Grace knew that Addington's hatred is directed mainly to her and Henry, but she worried that Aramis just will not leave this and will try to attract attention to himself.
"Stupid? I?" He joked.
"Aramis!"
"I'm not going to promise anything, Grace." Aramis said seriously. "I won't let him harm you. No more. I am a musketeer and this is my job."
XXX
It took a long time to found someone who saw the group. But in the end they learned from the small boy, who wandered on the street. He was curious, and loved watching people. It seemed to him strange that eight people are outside in the night. Especially when the two of them were carried. Boy thought they are drunk, but then caught sight of the woman, and followed them near the house. Then, nothing had happened he went away and forgot until the moment when he saw the musketeers asking people.
"I'm gonna be musketeer too." The boy uttered definitely, when told them all. Walking away from them with pockets heavier by a few coins.
"I hope it's right place." Porthos said, when they were watching the old house on the outskirts of Paris.
"We do not have another clue." Athos said. "I see only one exit. We have to wait, we don't know how many of them are there."
After about an hour of observation counted four men. They sat at the table, which could be seen through the window and played cards. Suddenly another man came and talked to them, as he turned and spoke with someone else, musketeers concluded that there must be one more man at least. They could handle six men.
"It looks like we have a problem." D'artagnan pointed to the fact that the men began to lift and were cleaning things.
"He knows that the evidence is gone. We don't have time" Athos said, and set off to the house.
XXX
In the cellar there was a silence. Henry was still on the verge of unconsciousness and Aramis with Grace didn't know what to say.
After a while Aramis started to speak.
"Grace, if something happens I only wanted to tell you..." Gracelyn looked at him inquiringly. Aramis hesitated for a moment. "You know..."
"No. I don't."
Suddenly the door opened and they all raised their heads.
"After talking with my companion, we have decided to leave immediately." Addington said and came closer to them. "Unfortunately for you, this means that you will die. I had a plan to make you stay longer, but under the circumstances." Picked up his musket and pointed it at Henry.
"Don't do it!" Grace shouted and looking up at Henry, who had fear in the eyes. Fear of dying. "Listen, he did nothing, it was me!"
"Lady, don't try to deceive me. Know very well what he did. I have to say, that he surprised me. Worked for me the whole life, like his father, for my father. That is why his betrayal is the worst." Addington hesitated no longer and shot Henry in cold blood.
"No!" Grace shouted once again, the face covered by tears. Addington loaded again and this time pointed at Aramis.
"Please! Not him, has nothing to do with you!" Gracelyn tried to break away the shackles, but it was hopeless. The helplessness was killing her.
"You're right. He has nothing to do with me." Addington turned his head to Grace. "It is punishment for you. Watch him die." But before he could squeeze the trigger, they heard shots from muskets and sound of swords. A second later the door opened and Athos burst inside.
"This is the end Addington." Athos said and pointed weapon at him. "You cannot escape."
Addington looked around. Meanwhile, Porthos and d'Artagnan ran inside.
"It's your fault!" Lord blamed Gracelyn, but before he could raise his hand to his last shot, a blow sounded, and he fell dead to the ground. Finally, it was Athos who took revenge.
"Are you alright?" Athos asked, when Porthos unlocked their cuffs. He found keys in the pocket of the one of men.
"Yes. But Henry..." Grace looked towards the dead body of her friend.
"We couldn't do anything about it." Aramis said and took her into his arms. Grace hugged him gratefully back.
"You scare me like this once again and I will be the one who will kill you." She whispered into his ear.
Aramis looked at her and said with a smile. "I will definitely get it remember."
"And you were right." She winked at him. "I know."
Aramis smiled even more.
"Shall we go?" D'artagnan asked. He didn't want to disturb, but one of their opponents slashed him in the shoulder and it started getting burn. Aramise looked at him and noticed the injury.
"It's not serious, but we need to sew it." Aramis said, after closer scrutiny, and led d'Artagnan out.
"I'm glad you're fine." Porthos smiled at Grace and went to the other.
"Thank you for coming." Grace hugged Athos.
"You're welcome." Athos replied and they both went to the door.
"But what took you so long?" Grace teased him.
"Well, it was lunch time." Athos said in a serious tone and they both started to laugh.
XXX
"What about the shoulder?" Gracelyn asked d'Artagnan when they all sat at the table at the garrison.
"Just a scratch." He assured her. "What are you going to do now?" D'Artagnan asked in return.
"Don't know yet, but I am staying in Paris." She looked at Aramis, who was sitting next to her. "I have some commitments."
Aramis smiled and leaned closer to kiss her.
"Hey." Athos stopped them. "I said that I do not mind that you are together, but leave this somewhere to privacy."
"Cold fish." Grace grinned at him.
"Child." Athos retaliated.
"Grace," Porthos said, and smiling. "I'm sure with you it gonna be even more interesting than it was previously."
"I have no doubt." Athos mumbled. Life with Lady Gracelyn Haley never used to be boring.
THE END