Thank you so much for reading and your lovely reviews!

Here is the next chapter and last chapter before the epilogue.

Enjoy!

xx Kira

Chapter 11

It took them half an hour to prepare everything for their departure. Tréville spent time talking to Porthos, who showed him the dead bandits. Both he and Tréville started to search them again, but they couldn't find any other diamonds.

"Nothing." Porthos mumbled. "Maybe Aramis counted wrong, we all were tired that night."

"It's probable, but I think Aramis counted them several times before telling us. Maybe one of them has swallowed them. We will bring the dead corpse back to Paris as well and I will order a further investigation. There's nothing we can do for now." Tréville sighed, knowing that the King wouldn't be delighted to find out that not all the diamonds had been found.

Porthos nodded in agreement:

"I will ask some other Musketeers to help us."

"Not so fast Porthos, can you show me what happened during the fight?" Tréville asked him.

"If I stand here, the bandit there, and you over there, Porthos, it looks as though it really was Athos' only chance to save you from being hit in your chest." Tréville looked at the streetfighter. Then he continued. "That was a decision he had to make within seconds."

"Marsac thinks he has a death wish." Porthos answered quietly.

"What do you think, Porthos?" Tréville wanted to know silently admitting that now and then he had thought that too.

"I have seen him fighting to stay alive all night long. He didn't want to die." Porthos said. "I think this is evidence enough for me. "I have the impression that something bad has happened to him that he wants to forget." He added. "But if you ask me, if he tried to get himself killed on his very first mission, I can definitely tell you, that he didn't."

"Nevertheless we have to keep an eye on him." Tréville cautiously said.

"Believe me, I will. He saved my life!" Porthos looked his Captain straight in the eyes. Tréville thought about his next question, but then decided to ask it. He valued Porthos for his honesty.

"Why did you act against my direct order?"

Porthos flinched.

"Did I, that wasn't my intention, I am sorry, Captain." He was thinking hard what Tréville could mean, the Captain reconsidered his words and rephrased his question.

"Why did you ask Athos to go along with you and not with Marsac as planned?"

"He needed a break." Porthos answered.

"A break from what?"

Porthos stayed silent for a moment.

"Do I really have to answer that question?"

He quietly asked, while looking at the blood spots on the stairs, which Athos had left, when he had tumbled down them. Tréville realising that Porthos didn't want to be disloyal towards a fellow Musketeer, immediately understood.

"I think you just answered me." He stated firmly. "I have to thank you he quietly added as he stepped next to Porthos and put his hand on his shoulder squeezing it gently.

"Why?"

"Because commanding is not always easy, Pothos." He quietly admitted. "I thought that it would be good for them both to work together, to overcome finally whatever it is, what's going on between them, but it was too early."

Porthos snorted.

"They need a deserted barn, their fists and ten minutes on their own, to settle things, not a mission, where they have to arrest dangerous criminals."

"That bad?" Tréville asked.

"Permission to speak openly."

"Go on."

"Athos loves rules. He is someone who does everything by the book or let's put it this way if you order him to do something he listens to you and follows your order, no matter what, because he respects you."

"That's what a good soldier should do. Listen to his commanding officer. Don't you think that?" Tréville raised an eyebrow and glared dangerously at Porthos for several seconds. "That's why I asked you to take him along, to learn that from him." He added.

Porthos looked at him confused and Tréville laughed out loud.

"Captain, Athos is much more a strategical thinker than me, what he needs to learn is that it is sometimes necessary to bend the rules."

"I think I finally understand where you are hinting at. Go on." Tréville encouraged his soldier.

"Do you remember our fistfight in the pouring rain?"

"How could I forget that? He ended up in the infirmary."

"Not if he had listened to me, but there he simply thought about rules, rules for a fist fight, I wondered where he learned them, but they were all rubbish. I never told him, but that day, the pouring rain made me see less, he could have easily won, by using my disadvantage against me."

"Why do you think he didn't take his chance? Perhaps he didn't notice it."

"No, he did, but he was too polite." Porthos quietly answered. "And too stubborn to use his stupid rules."

"Forget what I say to you now." Tréville searched for Porthos' attention, when he had it he continued. "If Athos survives, and I pray he will, then teach him to sometimes be more like you and Aramis, teach him to bend my orders from time to time." Tréville sighed loud.

"Will do Captain."

Porthos mumbled quietly, astonished at first about Tréville's words, but then he knew why he had asked him to do it. Tréville felt guilty that he had misjudged what would happen between Marsac and Athos.

"Come, it's time to take him home and make sure that he will soon lie in his own bed and rest." Tréville headed down the stairs and Porthos followed him, wondering what just had happened between him and the Captain.

XXXXX

Aramis had woken Athos by gently slapping his cheeks. The confused and injured man had first blinked, but then he realised where he was and that it was time for him to return to the garrison. Aramis had decided to wrap him in the warm blanket, making sure that Porthos took his boots, jacket, weapons and trousers to the wagon. Tréville had given him his blue cape which he now carefully draped over the blanket. They helped Athos into a sitting position and wanted to wait until Porthos returned, but when sitting up hurt him so much that all he could do was scream out loud, it was Aramis, who hoisted him and helped him into a standing position, hoping that this way his injured side and bruised ribs would hurt less. Athos started to tremble heavily and leaned more and more on Aramis' chest, while Tréville helped to steady him.

"Do you really want to walk Athos?" He quietly asked again, but the young man only nodded.

Even when he is sick he is as stubborn as a mule. Tréville thought.

Porthos reappeared and together with Aramis, both senior Musketeers took their new member between them. Helping Athos to lay his arms across each of their shoulders. When Aramis was certain that Athos would be able to walk the small distance he gave the order:

"Go."

Athos felt grateful that they gave him the chance to leave that place, where he had been injured, with his head held high. Nevertheless each of his movement send tremors through his whole body and his injured side felt like being on fire. He could feel his hurt ribs protesting each of his movements and he started to sway dangerously, while oppressing another loud moan.

"I know you asked to walk with us out of here, but I have to intervene." Porthos stopped and looked his new brother in his pale face. His breathing was shallow and he had to fight to keep his eyes open.

"Please." Athos whimpered. "I want to walk. I don't want to be carried like a potato sack." He whispered.

"Ha, when I have to carry you, I carry you like a bride." Porthos laughed, but stopped at once, when he saw Athos' face even getting paler. "Sorry, just kidding." He mumbled. "No, I mean allow us to walk for you. Let us do the work."

"How?" Athos asked confused.

"Just put all your weight on our shoulders." Aramis explained. "Trust us, no one will see that you don't walk. Can you do this."

"Hmm …" Athos answered. Then he leaned more and more with his arms on both of his new friends.

"Now you only have to move your feet." Aramis encouraged him and the swordsman followed his instructions.

Athos had no idea how much time it took them to cross the corridor he had entered the day before, following Porthos with his pistol in his hand, his sword ready to be drawn.

What a difference to yesterday, he thought. Back then I could run, now I am too weak to even walk by myself.

He felt another sharp pain in his side and shouted out loud. Tréville who was following them slowly, flinched. Everything in him screamed to stop that walk and simply carry his young soldier outside on his own.

"Shall we stop?" Aramis whispered in his ear.

"No." Athos gasped.

Porthos shared a glance with Aramis and without speaking they knew what they had to do. They lifted their sick brother several inches from the floor and quickened their paces.

Athos' head lolled on Aramis' shoulder and the latter could feel his hair on his face. Captain Tréville, who was still behind him looked at his three Musketeers, how two were supporting and now lifting their third comrade. Pride filled his chest that his men didn't disappoint and were living up to their motto: One for all and all for one. The longer he looked at the picture in front of him, the longer a thought appeared in his mind.

They look like Inséperables. What happened that night? Yesterday morning they came to me to complain and now they are protecting and helping him with all they can give. At least there my instincts didn't betray me when I asked them, to help Athos to become a Musketeer.

He stayed for a while behind, looking at the picture in front of him and watched how they carefully carried Athos out of the château.

"We are nearly there." Aramis whispered in Athos' ear.

He wasn't sure if Athos had heard him or if he was still awake. When they finally reached the wagon, Porthos changed position with the Captain and climbed on the wagon. Then Tréville and Aramis lifted the barely conscious man in Porthos' arms, so that he could use Porthos' lab as a pillow. Aramis knelt next to Athos. Lifted his head and put a pillow between his head and Porthos' thighs. Then he wrapped the still ailing man in several blankets and put more pillows under his back, legs and feet. After he had made sure Athos was lying as comfortable as possible in the wagon, he gave the doctor a sign to finally give Athos the laudanum.

"Maybe we wait. I think he has fallen asleep." Porthos suggested. "No need to wake him."

"No, he needs the medicine now. His body will hurt him and wake him up again, what he needs is rest." The doctor told them, he gently cupped Athos' cheeks and the young soldier opened his eyes sluggishly.

"Open your mouth Athos!" He ordered and the swordsman silently obeyed.

Athos felt a spoon being showed in his open mouth and a bitter taste suddenly burned on his tongue. The liquid was mixed with wine and he swallowed it.

"That's it." The doctor pressed a cup of water to his lips and asked Athos to drink, again the sleepy man followed and drank half of the cup."

"This way we can ensure that he really swallows all the medicine." The doctor explained. "You soon should feel less pain, if not, you have to tell me." He said. "That was a very small dose."

"I think what you gave him is enough." Tréville said in a firm commanding tone, seeing Aramis glancing worriedly towards him.

"How do you feel, Athos?"

Aramis gently asked after several minutes of waiting that the laudanum would act on Athos' body, while sitting next to his patient on another blanket and preparing himself now for the bumpy drive too. Porthos and he had decided to stay all the time with Athos on the wagon.

"I'm so tired." Athos mumbled, but he didn't fall asleep at once.

Captain Tréville stepped next to Athos laid his hand on his shoulder for a while and then bent down over his ear and whispered:

"It's time to bring you home, son. Promise me to stay alive." He ordered.

"I do, Cap …"

Athos slurred, suddenly feeling less pain in his left side and chest, but at the same time he was too tired to lift his head or open his eyes anymore. Several seconds later they could hear his breathing changing.

"He's fallen asleep."

The doctor declared and Tréville gave the Musketeer who was driving the cart and his other soldiers the command to return back to Paris.

XXXXX

Along with other Musketeers Marsac watched the wagon being brought into the garrison. Athos was covered with several blankets, so that only his curly hair and some white skin of his cheeks were visible. From what he could see was the injured man deep asleep, when Porthos gently lifted him in his arms to carry him into the infirmary, helped by Aramis, he didn't wake up.

Murmurs were heard in the ranks, as the Musketeers formed a spalier, while Porthos passed them with the unconscious young soldier is his arms. Soon the other soldiers wondered, if their newest Musketeer would survive or if they had brought him back to die in the infirmary.

The doctor hurried behind Aramis to make sure that Athos' wounds hadn't become infected and that his ribs hadn't cracked. After half an hour fussing over their patient the doctor and Aramis came to the same conclusion: no infection, no cracked ribs. Due to the fact that Athos hadn't developed a fever, the doctor had decided to not open the stitched wound again. For a while he had been curious where the bullet had entered the torso near to the hip side and how much it had injured the hip bone.

Aramis had assured him that the injuries were only minor, so no broken pelvis, he had wondered about that too, because of their explanation that he had been in massive pain during the whole night. But he knew that even if the bullet only scraped the hip bone it would hurt immensely. The laudanum still had Athos' body in a grip and he was deep asleep. His breathing was regular, his heartbeat steady.

The doctor had proposed giving Athos another dose of laudanum the next time he was awake, but that was the moment, when Tréville, who had watched the whole examination from the distance had stepped in and asked if it was really necessary.

The doctor had denied and so Aramis and Tréville had decided to try it without laudanum at first. The medic had started to prepare some pain draughts mixed with several herbs, which he knew would help to numb the pain as well and make Athos sleepy.

Now that Captain Tréville was sure that Athos wasn't in any immediate danger he ordered Aramis and Porthos to come after they had eaten something into his office.

When Porthos and Aramis entered the canteen Serge hurried over to them with two hot bowls of mutton stew, which they gratefully accepted. Other Musketeers joined them. They were all worried about Athos and asked what had happened. Porthos told them with amplified words how Athos had saved his life and soon the word spread what their newest comrade had done for another. They valued his deed and asked Aramis to wish Athos a speedy recovery.

When they finally left the canteen in order to report to Tréville Aramis grinned at Porthos:

"You just made Athos a hero, you know that. He will hate you for that." Aramis laughed.

"I only told them what really happened."

"They will have a deep respect from now on for him and stop listening to some bad talk from other envious recruits and Marsac." Aramis mused. "Talking about Marsac, have you seen him?"

"He was under the Musketeers who greeted us, when we returned, but afterwards I haven't seen him. At least he could have asked about his well-being." Porthos snorted.

"I wonder why he didn't offer to return to us?" Aramis said loudly, when they reached Tréville's door, which stood wide open."

"If you are talking about Marsac," Tréville joined their conversation, "he offered to come along, but I ordered him to stay here."

"Where is he?" Porthos asked.

"He asked the doctor if it was alright to sit at Athos' bedside, while he is sleeping and he agreed. If you ask me, I think he feels guilty, but I don't know all facts, I hope you have them for me." He looked now at Aramis, knowing that Porthos wouldn't give him any information of what really had happened on their way to the château.

Aramis still thought about the fact that Marsac had offered to watch over their injured friend. Hopefully a good sign, that he would now stop treating Athos as a commoner and unworthy fool. Maybe the fact that Athos had been injured had this small positive side effect, but he somehow doubted it. Moreover he was certain that Marsac had offered to sit with Athos to show the Captain that he was caring for a brother-in-arms.

"Aramis? I'm waiting for an answer."

"Well …" The medic began, removing his hat from his head and scratching with his right hand the back of his head. He looked into Tréville's pale blue eyes. "Do you really want to know that?" He asked.

"I need to know to find out if his actions towards Athos endangered his life."

"Let me put it this way, he has a problem with Athos' drinking issue and the fact that he isn't from a noble family, at least he assumes that …" Aramis paused, seeing Tréville's slightly nod, then he continued, "however, when he found out that Athos had been injured, he helped me to care for him and brought help. He could have broken his neck or been robbed by returning on his own in this thunderstorm to the garrison." He explained.

"Thank you, that's what I needed to know. The rest I leave to you for now." Tréville looked first at Aramis then at Porthos and both men understood at once. If the Captain intervened it would weaken Athos' position as a new Musketeer. It would be their task to find a way that they all were able to work together.

"About the robbery? Do you have any guesses who is behind it?" Tréville now changed the topic.

"We are not sure, but maybe it has something to do with the Pope in Rome and the marriage between King Charles and Henrietta-Maria." Aramis said cautiously and gave Tréville the letter he had found on one of the bandits.

"What makes you think that?" He asked.

"Athos assumed it." Porthos added. "He told us the story about the marriage."

"Interesting." Tréville sat down behind his desk and asked both of his Musketeers to sit down as well.

"The Cardinal and I discussed with the King about this yesterday afternoon. Probably we will never find out." He sighed, then he looked up.

"Do you think that there was another bandit who could have escaped with those five diamonds?" He asked.

"I didn't see anyone in the gardens." Aramis said.

"I think Athos was right with five raiders, who attacked the salesman. One we found dying after he had been shot at from the second driver. The other four could flee. If I have to guess the man who aimed at me and shot at Athos had waited there or come to the château to meet up with those four men to deliver the expensive stones." Porthos mused.

"That would make sense! He wore more expensive clothes and looked like a priest." Aramis added.

"But where are the missing diamonds?" Porthos asked.

"That's the question." Tréville answered. "Who has found the diamonds?" He asked.

"Athos assumed that they still would be in their saddlebags and we found them there."

"Who found them?" Tréville asked again.

"Marsac. Besides Athos we all had the saddlebags in our hands, if you mean who could have taken five of them." Aramis explained.

"Captain, I had no time to count them. I was worried about Athos." Porthos said apologetically.

"Why didn't Marsac take the stones with him?" Tréville asked.

"He thought it would be safer." Porthos answered.

"Fact is, we all could have easily taken five stones away. The paper with the information wasn't in one of the saddlebags but in one of the pockets of a dead bandit." Aramis explained.

"All of you but Athos could have taken them." Tréville mused.

"He had other things to worry about than those stones. You have seen how weak he was even walking on his own." Porthos said angrily.

"Calm Porthos, I didn't suspect either Athos or you to have taken the stones."

"But you suspect Marsac?" Aramis asked bluntely.

"He wouldn't be so stupid." Porthos interjected. "He's from a rich family, what reason would he have to steal some stones?"

"I don't suspect any of my Musketeers. I expect that I can trust all my men!" Tréville now explained. "But I have to ask those questions, because when I go and inform the King about these missing diamonds, the Cardinal will ask these questions."

"In that case you should search our saddlebags, quarters, to make sure that we haven't stolen them."

"Don't be ridiculous, Porthos." Tréville snapped now angrily. "I am sure you wouldn't hide them either in your room or your saddlebags. Let's wait and see what the examination of the dead corpse of those bandits will deliver, maybe someone swallowed them. It's the most probable explanation."

"You are right, Captain." Aramis said, he yawned and gave Tréville a sign that he wanted to leave. Of course Aramis was tired but he was sure that the sign should tell him that he wanted to check on Athos.

"Very well." Tréville said. "I have to thank the both of you."

"Why?" Aramis and Porthos asked at the same time.

"Because without you, Athos wouldn't have survived."

"We have only done what all your men are doing." Aramis answered and Porthos added. "Divided we fall!"

"Speaking of Athos, do you still need us Captain? I like to check on him and make sure that he really survives." Aramis said, standing up without waiting for Tréville's answer. Porthos followed his example.

"We cannot allow that, he has promised me to improve my reading and writing." He said.

Tréville raised his eyebrow.

"I guess I will never find out what occurred tonight?" Tréville laughed.

"We are sworn to secrecy." Aramis joked.

"I give you both the week off, so that you have time to take care of Athos. It will do him good, to have friends around him. The next days won't be easy for him."

"Thank you Captain." They both answered and hurried towards the infirmary.

XXXXX

Marsac looked up when Aramis followed by Porthos entered the infirmary. He was sitting on a chair next to Athos' bed:

"I am so glad that he is still alive." He whispered.

"Thank you for fetching help." Aramis said and clapped him on his back.

"How is he? Has he woken up?"

"The doctor believes that he will heal, but he hasn't woken up yet. He has left some of his special medicine which makes Athos sleep and he advised to give him more, if he is still in a great deal of pain." Marsac added showing with his fingers at a small bottle at a small table, next to Athos' bed. Then he added: "He stirred several minutes ago, moaned and blinked heavily, but then he drifted off again. Whatever the doctor has given him, it's pretty strong ..." Marsac stood up. "I should go and see the Captain." He looked at his comrades and left.

Aramis quietly approached his sleeping patient. The fact that Athos was still asleep worried him, but when Porthos stepped next to him, Athos sluggishly opened his eyes.

"Is he away?" He mumbled.

"Yes he has left." Porthos grinned, while trying not to burst out in laughter.

"I know I should thank him for fetching help, but … arghh …" Athos screamed.

"Easy, easy." Aramis calmed him. "Don't try to move too much."

"Think the effect of the dose of laudanum is decreasing." Athos mumbled.

"I will give you a pain draught. It will help you." Aramis left his side and busied himself with preparing a cup for his patient. Porthos helped Athos to lift his head, while Aramis gave him the cup to drink."

After several sips, Athos gave them a sign that he had had enough and exhausted dropped back on his pillow.

"You kept your promise." He whispered, while closing his eyes and feeling sleepy again.

"What promise?" Porthos asked curiously.

"You brought me back, thank … you …" The last words he slurred.

Aramis crouched down next to him, reaching for his now warmer hand, while Porthos gently pressed his shoulder.

"That's what friends do for each other." Aramis whispered in Athos' ear. "Now it's up to you to keep your promise."

"Which … was …" Athos asked, his eyes still closed, feeling slightly dazed.

"To survive." Porthos gently stroked over his hair.

"I'll …" Athos mumbled, but the last words he couldn't say because his exhausted body had made him fall asleep again.

Aramis looked over to Porthos, whose eyes were glistening.

"He'll make it, he has to." Porthos whispered.

"Of course he will." Aramis smiled at him. "Besides being our stubborn brother he's a Musketeer and Musketeers don't die easily!"

To be continued ...

Many thanks to my beta Beth and to Helen for some medical hints xx Kira