Evening My Lovelies!
I personally love this chapter so I'm really hoping you all do as well, though I have been mean enough to leave it again on another cliffy.
Notes On Reviews:
Moringotho-in-Angamando: Thanks for the review - Aramis and Porthos will pop up a few more times before our boys actually manage to get back to Paris, Treville also pops up in a couple of chapters time. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - I think that as much as both of them know that they need to have the chat at some point soon, they know they need to be safe first. That and they know how uncomfortable the chat is going to be and are quite happy to put it off for as long as possible. Enjoy the new chapter! x
CaroH: Thanks for the review - I do like leaving you all on evil cliffhangers :D Our boys will be without a rescue for a while I'm afraid but you'll find out more why in chapter 12. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I figured I hadnt whumped D'Art in at least 5 sentences so something needed to happen to him lol :D Fear not Athos is coming to the rescue! Enjoy the new chapter! x
Buckeye01: Thanks for the review - I know I'm just plain evil lol :D Though hopefully I make up for it by not making you all wait too long to find out what happens next. In terms of Athos's side I'll go into more detail as to what happened to that in tomorrows chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - We do indeed get a drowned and hypothermic D'Art today :) I think Athos has learnt from his previous mistakes about snapping at the boy. His guilt is quite high so doesnt want to add to it. Well i dont know if its so much medical advice as more nurses wanting to tend to them lol :D Aramis and Porthos have faith in what remains of the others brotherhood bond. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Guest: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the cliffhanger, initially i was going to continue it but i was feeling mean and wanted to keep you all waiting :) Being recaptured is an interesting idea but i dont have any plans for it as of yet... might see if it could work into the story, but given the condition the pair of them are going to be in after the next few chapters I dont think i could see them pulling off another daring escape, nor being given the opportunity to do so. I wont answer about rescuing and finding shelter as today's chapter covers that and i dont want to give anything away - not that they would be considered spoilers but still. Its a good thing you mentioned clothes as although i know their condition in my head i hadnt realised i had failed to mention anything about them. D'Art is in just boots and breeches whilst Athos is fully dressed... and that's only because I need his clothes for tomorrows chapter ... God that sounded dirty lol :D I promise the talk is coming, it's probably not going to be until Paris at this point though i might have Athos try to bring it up beforehand. Enjoy the new chapter! x
annie rules: Thanks for the review - But of course :D, D'Art hadnt been whumped in like 5mins... something needed to happen to him lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I love me being evil too :D I feel like i should let something go the musketeer's way after all i've done to them, and everything i have planned, but there'd be no fun in that so there's more drama planned in the following chapters as well :) Your snuggly musketeer senses are correct we have a snuggly moment at the end of tomorrows chapter continuing at the beginning of chapter 12 It needed writing lol. Hope i didnt make you wait too long :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
So I'm sitting here going through my reviews and most of them start, or at least mention, something about the evil cliffhanger and 'how could i leave it there' and I'm just like *steeples fingers together* mwahahaha :D
As always many thanks to everyone who follows/favourites/reviews/reads this story!
Enjoy
xxx
Chapter Ten: Fighting The Current
Athos felt his heart stop as he watched his brother fall into the river. Knowing each second was vital Athos raced to the river's edge, his keen eyes desperately searching for any sign of his beloved brother.
The unhelpful part of his brain continued to remind him, as he searched, that D'Artagnan would be battling against the current, something that would quickly tired a fully rested man and D'Artagnan would have been falling asleep in the saddle only minutes earlier had the seriousness of the situation and the adrenaline pumping through his system not kept him awake
"A…THOS!" cried a heart-wrenchingly familiar voice that was so full of panic and terror that it gained the panicking musketeer's attention instantly.
It took several seconds for Athos to spot the soaked mop of brown hair that belonged to his brother and once he had he felt his heart stop for the second time in not even ten minutes.
There, on the other side of the bank was a weary, waterlogged D'Artagnan, clinging precariously to a low overhanging branch. Athos could see how much strain it was putting on the exhausted boy just to cling onto the branch, let alone keeping his head above water.
"Hang on D'Artagnan!" Athos roared, trying his best to hide the panic in his voice. Panic would help D'Artagnan little in this situation he needed to focus and work out just how he was going to get over to the other side without getting swept away by the current himself.
D'Artagnan's response was a small tired nod as he worked to expel the water that had entered his mouth the last time his head went under whilst also trying to maintain his grip on the branch that he doubted would be able to carry his weight for much longer.
While D'Artagnan focused on not drowning, Athos was fervently scanning the river for signs of an area of safe crossing. Mercifully he found such a place not too far down river where the river narrowed out enough that he would be able to jump it without having to risk the rivers current.
Sparring a final quick glance to D'Artagnan, Athos saw that the young musketeer's strength was fading fast; his head was submerging more and more frequently as time passed. Knowing that explaining his plan would only waste time Athos raced as quickly as his own injured body would allow to the jump point and without even thinking about it or hesitating Athos made the jump across.
Unfortunately for the senior musketeer his injuries hampered his landing and he couldn't hide the hiss and grunt of pain that escaped him when he landed awkwardly on his ankle. Unwilling to allow D'Artagnan to drown simply because he was in pain Athos limped as quickly as he could over to where a nearly unconscious D'Artagnan still hung stubbornly onto the tree.
Sighing in relief at the sight of his brother still alive Athos leant over, "D'Artagnan! Reach for me!"
D'Artagnan, though unable to see Athos's face as the musketeer was behind him, shook his head weakly, "C…Can't" he stammered out feebly and Athos felt the worry in him grow as he heard the chattering of the boy's teeth and saw the shivers that racked his little brother's body.
He knew why the boy didn't think he could, close up Athos could see exactly just how much strain the situation was putting on D'Artagnan and he was sure the boy feared not having the strength to hold himself above the water if he let go of one hand to reach for his brother as it was quite obvious that it was only thanks to the young man's almost legendary stubbornness that was keeping him latched onto that branch.
Inching as far into the water as he was willing to risk Athos sent up a prayer before speaking again, "I'm right behind you D'Artagnan, I will catch you before you can fall but you need to trust me. I know I have done little to be worthy of it of late but we have no rope and you cannot hold on forever so you need to trust me" he pleaded, readying himself to catch the boy's arm the moment he moved.
Within seconds D'Artagnan nodded weakly his consent to his mentor's plan and on Athos's count, he closed his eyes and as quickly as he could, let go of the branch with one of his hands and shoved it behind him, placing his life in the hands of his mentor once again.
The second D'Artagnan let go and reached for him Athos snapped into action, grabbing the boy's arm and using all the strength that remained within him to pull him out of the water and back onto dry land.
Whilst he succeeded in getting D'Artagnan out of the river, the action of pulling him out was enough to dislocate the Gascon's still healing shoulder once again and the senior musketeer couldn't hide the flinch that occurred when D'Artagnan screamed in agony as the joint separated from its socket.
"Breathe" Athos said soothingly as he tried to keep the boy focused on anything other than the pain. As soon as he noticed D'Artagnan's attention focus on steadying his fast paced breathing, Athos mumbled a quick apology and before the boy could react he was resetting the joint back into its socket.
The scream D'Artagnan released after that was almost worse than when the joint popped out, though within seconds the young Gascon had collapsed against Athos's side, breathing heavily as he tried valiantly to keep his heavy eyelids open and to hide the shakes that were still racking his body.
"We need to find some place to rest and get you warm" Athos stated, worry building within him at how cold D'Artagnan's skin was and the almost blue tinge that had appeared on his lips.
"Mmmm" Was the response he received from a barely conscious Gascon as the boy subconsciously nestled closer to the warm body of his brother.
"Come on" Athos said softly, not bothering to even attempt to hide the amusement and fondness the boy's actions had brought him, "We're close to that cave we stayed in the last time we passed through here during that storm" he said with forced enthusiasm as he helped D'Artagnan to his feet, both of them swaying dangerously when they were upright
"Y…You're h'rt?" D'Artagnan asked between chattering teeth as he noticed how unsteady his mentor seemed on his feet.
Athos raised an eyebrow at his young protégé, here he was freezing, exhausted, injured, wet and yet still worried about him, "So are you" he deadpanned, though he was unsure whether to be concerned or amused at the look of confusion on D'Artagnan's tired face. It was almost like he was too tired to even remember that he was hurt.
"M'fine" D'Artagnan slurred stubbornly, shrugging his shoulders only to then wince as it sent a shockwave of pain from the recently reset joint, earning him a small chuckle from his mentor before the Gascon's face turned serious, "H…How bad?"
"Let's just get to the cave, Aramis is already going to have my head for all this, I don't need you getting a cold added to his list of grievances" Athos stated, though there was a slight teasing tone in his voice that D'Artagnan didn't miss, although he was tired enough to miss the fact that Athos's hadn't actually answered his question.
"You're in trouble," D'Artagnan sang like a small child, which earned another chuckle from his brother as the pair set off to find shelter. It would seem our young Gascon reverts back to a five year old when he's beyond tired… Interesting Athos mused fondly, though he couldn't help but send the young man worried glances every few seconds. The boy's shivering had stopped and Athos had spent enough time around Aramis with the medic trying to cram medical knowledge down his throat to know that that was not a good thing. He needed to get the boy warm and dry soon or he'll have an even more permanent failure to add to the list of mistakes he had made regarding the boy.
Thankfully they were not far from the cave and were able to reach it fairly quickly, even with the pair both moving slowly – due to injuries and out of a need to not be caught unawares by the remainder of their pursuers that had not followed them to the river.
During the trip to the cave Athos stopped periodically to pick up pieces of wood to be used as kindling for a fire. Each time he bent down it sent a wave of pain through his still bleeding side, but all it took was one look at the practically translucent Gascon, whose lips were now more noticeably blue, for him to brush his own pain to one side. The need to protect the young man who had suffered so much both by and for him was too great to give into his own pain and injuries… no matter how much his body screamed for him to attend to it.
As soon as they reached the cave Athos immediately set to work starting a fire, D'Artagnan's health had deteriorated quickly during their trek. Wet coughs frequently racked his small beaten frame and he had become less and less coherent as time passed. Although Athos refused to believe that the boy's condition was too far gone to save… a small traitorous part of his mind refused to let go of the thought of having to sit by and watch a brother die.