Chapter 11
"How's Aramis?" D'Artagnan asked as he followed Constance into the kitchen.
"His fever is breaking, as I am sure you know. It will still be a few days before he'll be well enough to come back to the garrison, but he's going to be fine," Constance replied. D'Artagnan smiled slightly and Constance caught him, gazing at him with affectionate suspicion.
"What?" she asked.
"You mean a few days until you feel he is well enough to come back to the garrison," he corrected. Constance gave him a sheepish look and was about to answer when they heard footsteps and Marie appeared in the doorway.
"You look awful," Constance exclaimed sympathetically as her friend sat down at the table.
"I didn't get much sleep last night," Marie replied. The way D'Artagnan raised his eyebrows at her phrasing caused her to smile slightly.
"Aramis didn't settle well. His sleep isn't protecting him any more from the nightmares sickness brings," she explained, rubbing a hand across her face.
"I'm sorry," D'Artagnan muttered, feeling a little guilty for thinking something else. Marie looked at him.
"You weren't so wrong in your accusation, D'Artagnan. Aarmis did try that," Marie said with a fond smile. D'Artagnan and Constance laughed out loud.
"He is clearly on the mend," he chuckled, shaking his head at his friend's irrepressibility.
"What am I missing?" A voice caused them all to look towards the door in surprise. Aramis stood propping himself up against it, face pale and slick with sweat.
"Aramis, what are you doing out of bed?" Marie demanded, getting up to go to him, but D'Artagnan was already there, helping the older Musketeer to a chair. Marie crouched down next to him and placed a hand on his forehead, sighing deeply. He was burning up again. She looked over at Constance who nodded, grabbing a bowl of water and a cloth.
"I woke up and no one was there. I could hear you all in here laughing and I didn't want to miss out on all the fun. Besides, I'm getting a bit bored of lying in bed," he replied, shutting his eyes as the water being pressed against his head cooled him down.
"I just didn't realize walking a few steps would be this much effort," he muttered, suddenly feeling extremely light headed.
"Come on. Another day in bed will help. It's the best place for you right now," D'Artagnan told him firmly, helping him up.
"I don't want to go back to bed," Aramis protested as the youngster guided him back to his room.
"Tough. You don't have much say in the matter. If you're better tomorrow we can maybe see about taking you back to the garrison. Poor Constance is probably sick of you by now!" D'Artagnan said as he laid Aramis back down, moving away to let the two girls fuss over him, making him comfortable.
"That's a lie! Blatant slander! No one is ever sick of me," Aramis smirked, his eyes already shutting.
"Clearly they haven't spent as much time as I have with you then," D'Artagnan teased, but it fell on deaf ears. Aramis was already asleep.
"Will you keep an eye on him? Make sure he stays in bed?" Marie asked the two. They both nodded.
"Of course, but where are you going?" Constance asked.
"To see my brother," was all the girl said before she was gone.
Marie wandered through the streets, heading straight to the garrison. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as memories of the attack flooded her mind, but she pushed them away. She had to see Athos. She was so deep in thought she didn't see the lady until she walked straight in to her.
"I am sorry mademoiselle, I didn't see you there," she apologized quickly, looking up into a face she had been certain she would never see again.
"Marie. Haven't you grown into a pretty young lady? No wonder that Musketeer has taken a shine to you," the lady said, watching the colour drain from the girl's face.
"You're dead," Marie whispered fearfully, feeling herself start to shake.
"Obviously I am not," Milady said, smiling slightly she leaned towards her.
"And maybe you ought to let your brother know of this too," she whispered dangerously, and then she was gone, leaving Marie frozen to the spot, fear creeping through every inch of her body. Finally she broke into a run towards the garrison.
"Athos!" she screamed, running into the courtyard. A few Musketeers looked around, startled, but it was Porthos's strong arms that caught her.
"Marie? What's wrong? What's going on?" he asked urgently, seeing fear and hysteria in her eyes.
"Get off me! Where is Athos? Where is my brother?" she cried just as Athos appeared. Seeing his sister's crumpled form in his friend's arms, he rushed to her, taking her in his own.
"What's wrong? Is it Aramis? D'Artagnan?" he asked, fearing the worst.
"She isn't dead! I saw her Athos. She is alive!" Marie whispered. Comprehension flashed in his eyes as he realized who she meant. It couldn't be. He felt his sister crumble in his arms and they both collapsed to the floor.
"It's okay. I am not going to let her hurt us. I promise," he murmured soothingly, catching Porthos's eye. Porthos knelt down next to them, not asking any questions, just offering his silent comfort.