This little story picks up immediately after the end of 3.9 so contains major spoilers for season 3.

Missing Pieces

Chapter Ten

Icy tendrils which had nothing to do with the weather, tiptoed down Athos' spine as he stood in shocked silence.

"We can't just leave him here." D'Artagnan's breath hitched as he turned his tear stained face to Athos.

"We won't," he reassured the young man although he noticed that his voice seemed to be coming from very far away. He felt oddly detached from the events surrounding him. "See if you can find a cloak or blanket to cover him."

D'Artagnan was on his feet quickly, eager to perform whatever service he could for their fallen leader.

"Aramis?"

The marksman looked up, his new rosary clutched in his hand a prayer on his lips.

"We need a cart."

For a brief moment Aramis looked at him in a daze before he nodded and climbed unsteadily to his feet.

Left alone with Treville's body Athos collapsed heavily to the ground. Numbness was giving way to sorrow and anger. He ran a hand through his hair and bowed his head. Treville had been far more than their Captain and Minister. He had been the one who had molded them into Musketeers. He had taken a pathetic drink-sodden wretch and shown faith that there was something worth saving. Although they hadn't always seen eye to eye Athos liked to think they had become friends. Now his friend was gone, having given his life to save the King…to save Aramis' son.

It all came back to that night in the convent but he couldn't find it in him to blame Aramis or the Queen. If Louis had died childless Gaston would have inherited the throne and that wasn't an appealing thought. Better a child and a regency than that. At least the King was safe with Porthos. He wondered what had happened to Lorraine. Treville had been convinced the Duke was an honourable man with whom he could strike a deal. Had Grimaud's intervention prevented that?

Grimaud! Athos swore that he would find and kill him. The man had been dogging their footsteps since the battle outside Douai. His had had been clear in every disaster that befell them.

Footsteps behind him had him on high alert. He rose quickly, his hand going to his sword. He relaxed only when he saw it was d'Artagnan. The young man draped a blanket carefully over Treville, hiding his face and the wounds that had killed him.

"Grimaud and his men have fled," d'Artagnan said, his voice steadier now. "Lorraine is dead by Grimaud's hand."

"Gaston?"

"There is no sign of him."

"I'm sure the Queen will deal with him in due course. With Treville gone she will be named Regent."

"Do you think Porthos and the King are safe?"

"Porthos won't let any harm come to the boy."

They kept vigil until Aramis arrived driving a wagon. With great care Athos and d'Artagnan lifted Treville's body into it. D'Artagnan climbed in after it while Athos tied their horses to the rear and then joined Aramis on the bench seat.

"Are you alright?" Athos asked.

"He died to protect my son," Aramis said, his expression stricken.

Athos squeezed his shoulder. "No, Aramis. He died protecting the King. Never forget that."

"How do we tell Porthos?"

"Porthos is a soldier. He must have known when he left that Treville's life was at risk."

"Still it will be hard on him." Aramis flicked the reins and the horses moved forward.

Athos reloaded his pistols and settled to keep watch. Grimaud might have left the scene but it wasn't beyond the bounds of possibility that he might set up an ambush. Their return to Paris was a lot slower than their breakneck ride to reach Lorraine's camp after learning that Grimaud had taken the King and d'Artagnan. Eventually, and without incident, they reached the outskirts of the city. Soon they were on the approach to the palace. They stopped by the main entrance and Athos corralled a couple of servants.

"Regent Treville is dead. See that his body is taken to the chapel to lie in state."

Their shock was palpable. The King and the Regent gone in one day.

"We must report to the Queen," he said.

"I will stay and supervise," d'Artagnan said. "He shouldn't be left alone."

Athos and Aramis walked side by side through the corridors and up stairs until they reached the Queen's quarters. When the guard on duty announced them they heard her clear voice bidding them enter. The room was full of her women and the King was sitting on the floor playing with his toy soldiers. They both bowed deeply.

"We bring tragic news, Your Majesty. While ensuring the King's safe escape from the Duke's camp Regent Treville was fatally shot."

Athos saw the Queen's knees buckling but it was Aramis who reached her first. His strong arms encircled her waist and he bore the brunt of her weight.

"This can't be happening," she gasped. "First the King and now Treville?"

Aramis helped her over to a settee then stood protectively behind her. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. "He will be given a state funeral. He was a loyal servant of France. You have my deepest condolences, Captain."

"Thank you, Majesty. There is some good news. Lorraine's camp has been abandoned. Apparently the Duke was killed by Grimaud. Gaston has disappeared. I think it is safe to assume that the rebellion is over."

"Thank God." She visibly made the effort to overcome her grief. "Where is Treville's body now?"

"In the chapel. The Musketeers will mount an honor guard with your permission."

"Of course, and I must pay my respects."

"The King is well?" Aramis asked, looking longingly at his son.

"Shaken by his ordeal but unharmed." She turned to look over her shoulder and gave a weak smile. "Porthos brought him back safely to me."

"Where is Porthos?" Athos asked. "We need to tell him about the Regent."

"I sent him to get something to eat."

"Then, if you will give us leave, we will go and find him."

"Do what you must, Captain. And, Athos, thank you all for keeping my son safe."

After bowing they left the room and walked quickly to the kitchens. They found Porthos sitting at a table with a plate of bread, cheese and cold meat in front of him.

"It's about time you got here," Porthos said. "I was startin' to worry." He frowned when he saw their somber expressions. "What's happened?"

Athos pulled out a chair and sat down. "Treville is dead. He was overrun by Grimaud's men and we arrived too late to stop Grimaud from shooting him. His last words concerned the King's safety. He died knowing that he had achieved his goal."

Porthos dropped the hunk of bread he had been holding back onto the plate. "He was wounded when I left him. I wouldn't have gone except for the boy." He swiped angrily at his eyes. "I'll see that bastard Grimaud dead for what he's done."

"His power is broken and there is no-where for him to run. We will trap him like the rat he is and finally have an ending." Athos spoke fiercely, his overwhelming need now to exact justice for all Grimaud's crimes. "For now, though, we have a friend to bury. Then we will hunt Grimaud down even if it takes us to the ends of the earth." He saw the resolve in his friends' eyes and knew that together they would prevail.

The End