Evening My Lovelies

First off, sorry there was no chapter last night, I kept getting error messages when I tried to put the chapter on the doc manager to upload it so I couldn't do it... Sorry!

Secondly... We've reached over 100 reviews! Love you guys!

Oh bit of warning for you guys! I'm having to take my computer in to be looked at on Monday as it's having an issue with its fan. I can't see it taking all day as I'm going to take it in first thing, but if there's no chapter on Monday then that's why.

Notes On Reviews:

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - We'll see D'Art's letter (and who it reaches) in about six chapters or so's time... got a bit of drama coming first :) Afraid I've been a bit evil and am making you wait until tomorrow to see who is approaching :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - We'll have a bit of a wait before we see if D'Art's act of kindness pays off, but there's some drama coming in the next few chapters which should ease the wait a bit :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Constance isn't out of the woods yet (both literally and figuratively) but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see if she's okay :D Maybe not but I'm sure there'll be more that one opportunity for one of our boys to try and kill him :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Avioooor: Thanks for the review - I don't want to spoil anything but I will say that Porthos will very much be wishing he had been able to escape with her in the next few chapters :D *cackles evilly* Got a bit of a wait before the letter reappears, bout six chapters or so but I really really like the chapter I've written when it does so I'm hoping you'll like it too when we get there :D Oh have no worries we'll definitely be getting a lot of Porthos/D'Art and Athos/D'Art moments. It'll be a little bit before they can happen as D'Art needs to do this task that Rochefort's given him before he can return to Porthos's side first and Athos has to find him before they can have their moments but yes, there will definitely be brotherly moments between them, I'm really excited to write them and it's killing me not having them together but hopefully it'll be worth it in the end :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - That is the question but unfortunately I've been a bit evil so you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out :D Unfortunately for Porthos its only going to get worse :D We've got a fair few chapters until we get to the letter reaching its intended recipient but I really like how that particular chapter turned out so hopefully you'll like it too when we get there :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Haha I love the names too, I can just see the other inseparables getting all angry at the slur against their brother, plus its particularly satisfying to have D'Art kick the butt of the person who mocked him or called him a brat/pet/etc :D Unfortunately for Porthos its going to get a LOT worse before it gets better but our boy's tough, he can take it :D The letter wont be reappearing for about another 6 chapters or so but I really like how the chapter, when it does, turned out so I'm hoping you'll enjoy it too when we reach that point. In the meantime we've got a bit of drama coming our way... not as much here but definitely in the next few chapters :D We'll have to wait until tomorrow to check in on Constance as we're mostly with Athos and Aramis tonight, though there is a bit of D'Art, but Constance pretty much has a chapter to herself (+one of my OC's) tomorrow. Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the reviews - Safe? What is this safe you speak of? lol :D You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see who's approaching Constance. 100th reviewer Whoop Whoop! *throws confetti* Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Eleven: On The Trail

It had taken Athos and Aramis almost two hard days riding to reach the town Constance had been heading towards and neither man had ever been happier to see signs of civilization as they dismounted their horses at the village gates.

They could already tell, despite only being in the village for a few minutes, that the people of this small village were not overly welcoming to strangers, especially when those strangers come charging in heavily armed.

"We've got nothing for you here!" snarled a voice, causing both men to pause on their way to the small tavern as they turned to address the owner of said voice.

"Monsieur?" said Athos politely, in no personal mood to be dealing with stubborn villagers but also knowing he had to play polite to get the information they needed.

"We don't want trouble, there's nothing here for you… as you can see we're farmers, there's nothing of value so get back on your fancy horses and get out of our home."

The man's words were attracting attention, causing a small but still substantial crowd to gather around, the villagers watching the two musketeers with wary and slightly fearful eyes.

"Please monsieur," started Aramis, taking a small step forward as he held his empty hands up to show he meant no harm. "We are merely looking for a dear friend of ours, we have reason to believe she may be in trouble and only want to ensure she is safe. We have no intention of harming anyone. My name is Aramis and this is my brother Athos, we are musketeers."

The medic's explanation seemed to calm a lot of the crowd, the wariness in their eyes now replaced with intrigue and curiosity as they stared at the pauldrons now uncovered from the men's cloaks.

Seeing the crowd, and the man in particular was willing to listen to them the musketeers continued with their explanation, describing both Constance and the woman she had come to see in as much detail as they could, their voices taking on a slight tone of desperation as they felt like practically begging the people to confirm their dear friend and sister was in fact safe and well.

"I saw her," called a young girl, barely in her teens, attracting the immediate attention of the entire crowd as well as the two musketeers.

"Miss?" asked Aramis as both he and Athos moved closer to the young girl who was now looking a bit nervous at being the focus of all the attention.

"She arrived at the village with an older gentlemen, but he left her at the gates. They talked for a little bit though, but then he left and she came in."

Athos's head tilted to one side, "An older gentlemen?" no one had mentioned Constance leaving or heading off with an escort, especially one the fiery red-head was comfortable enough having a conversation with before splitting up.

The young teen blushed at the memory, "Not much older mind, more your age –" Athos had to bite the inside of his cheek at this, having been the only one who heard Aramis's small noise of protest at being called old. "I think he might have been a solider too," added the girl, looking quite pleased with herself for remembering so much.

"How so?"

Fiddling nervously with the sleeve of her dress the young girl shrugged, "He stood like you are and he had a sword like that. I didn't hear what they were talking about but when he left he went that way," she explained pointing the way as she spoke.

Noticing how nervous the girl was with speaking to them Aramis put on his most charming smile, tipping his hat and the young teen. "Our thanks mademoiselle, you have been a great help."

The girl blushed deep red at this, making a few of the people who were still littered around chuckle quietly. The two musketeers then thanked the rest of the crowd for their help before getting directions to the house Constance had been heading to before leaving.

Both musketeers tensed as they approached the small house right on the village's outskirts, the house was isolated and would be perfect place to grab someone like Constance, especially if she had somehow gotten an escort for most, if not all, of the journey here.

Sensing that something was wrong the two men pushed on the door of the small home, their blades drawn, not ones to ignore their instincts the two men were willing to sacrifice propriety as they entered the home, their instincts screaming as they noted the door was both unlocked and slightly open.

Night was falling and D'Artagnan couldn't help but curse the weather as the cold sent all his still healing wounds to ache to an almost unbearable level. The Gascon was still about a day or two's ride from his destination but even now he was regretting the pace he had been setting. His mind wanted to get this task over and done with so he could return to his brother and love, not liking how he had left them with nothing more than a thin dagger and some directions. However his body was practically demanding him to take things slower and the aches and pains were a clear reminder of why none of the physician's or Treville had allowed him to return to full duty quite yet.

The Gascon was thankful he had found a small inn during his travels, as he honestly wasn't sure how much longer he could have ridden for before he fell off his horse. Earlier that day his most recent injury had started to bleed again and, like the stubborn fool he way, he had refused to stop to tend to it, meaning he had been steadily loosing blood for several hours, leaving him aching, hurt, dizzy and steadily loosing consciousness.

Now the young musketeer was using the pain of his wound to keep himself awake as he forced his trembling hands to still enough so he could stitch the wound closed, wincing frequently as the cold caused the recently healed bones in his hand to ache and stiffen, making his already messy movement's even more sluggish.

Aramis is going to kill me, he thought with a sad chuckle, remembering how strict the medic had been during their lessons, but then that chuckle died as a broken sob took its place. He doubted his brothers would forgive him any time soon, that was if he even managed to get through this alive and without being considered a traitor by the King. He had all but betrayed his country and his brothers by agreeing to this, even if he felt he had no choice. In his heart though, if he died it would be worth it if his shakily developing plan took Rochefort down with him and kept his brother and love alive and safe.