This is the final chapter. Thank you for your support. I am grateful once again to my beta for making me try harder.

Past the Point of Rescue

Chapter Twelve

Aramis became very quiet and pale. He slumped in a corner of the warehouse, his eyes wide and unfocussed. Athos hoped that anyone seeing the look of uncontrolled panic on his friend's face would think it was just a product of his head injury. Normally he could tell how Aramis would respond to any situation. This time he was concerned about an unpredictable reaction. He walked a short distance away and beckoned to Porthos. "Keep an eye on Aramis. Don't let him go anywhere near a horse."

"What's going on?" Porthos asked suspiciously.

"He wants to go to the Palace and he isn't well enough to ride."

"There's more to it than that. What were you talking about?"

"The prisoners," Athos answered evasively. He hadn't told any lies so far but could hardly confess the truth. It wasn't his secret to share and he didn't want to drag his other friends into the fiasco caused by Aramis' ill-considered actions at the convent. "I'm concerned for his well being, that's all."

"If you say so," Porthos said sceptically.

Having ensured that Aramis couldn't do something incredibly stupid and probably fatal he turned his attention to other matters. With effortless efficiency he arranged for the prisoners who were still mobile to be conveyed to the Bastille. A physician was summoned to tend to the wounded and the dead were removed for burial. Then he commandeered Vivian's carriage for Aramis, recognising that there was no possible way he could stay on a horse long enough to reach the garrison.

"I'm going to the Palace to report. I will meet you later."

"I think I should accompany you," Aramis said stubbornly.

His pallor had increased and he seemed to be having trouble focusing. Athos doubted that his brother-in-arms would make it as far as the door without help.

"There is no need. Go and rest. I will bring any news." He could see Aramis' struggle between his wish to check on the Queen and the reality of his present frailty. Eventually common sense prevailed and Aramis inclined his head in acknowledgement.

TMTMTM

By the time Athos returned to the garrison four hours had passed. He found Porthos standing outside Aramis' room with his arms folded and a scowl on his face.

"It's about time you got back. I had to threaten to tie him down to get him to stay in his room."

Athos ignored the implied question, simply resting his hand briefly on Porthos' shoulder. "Thank you."

When he entered the room he found Aramis sitting on the edge of the bed, hunched forward with his head in his hands.

"How do you feel?" Athos asked, laying his hat on the table.

Aramis looked up slowly. "My health is irrelevant. Is there news of the Queen?"

"Her pains have stopped for now. The physicians have ordered her to stay in bed in the hope that resting will allow her to carry the child to term."

Some colour returned to Aramis' cheeks and Athos could see how hard it had been to wait for news. He had tried to return sooner but the King had insisted upon receiving a full detailed report of their mission.

"They are certain that the child still lives?" Aramis asked.

"It still moves within her. Do not fear, Aramis."

"I won't be able to see her," he said sorrowfully.

"It would be for the best if you never saw her again," Athos replied bluntly. "Not that you have that option."

"You are wrong, my friend. To be in her presence is the greatest blessing I could have." He moved to sit resting against his pillows.

Athos marvelled at his friend's ability to accept the situation with equanimity. He had been torn in two since learning that his wife was alive. Part of him hated the woman for her actions but in his heart he longed to return to the days when they had loved with a passion he had believed would never end. "Have you seen the physician?" He asked, deliberately wrenching his thoughts out of the past.

"Porthos insisted. It is fortunate that I have a hard head," Aramis said with a weak smile. "With a few days rest I will be fully recovered."

"That's good because the King wants to express his gratitude in person."

"What of the Cardinal?"

"He was displeased that you and Treville concocted this plan without consulting him. On this occasion I can sympathize with his point of view."

Aramis broke eye contact guiltily. "My apologies."

"Do you know how it felt to be the one convicting you with my evidence? Couldn't you have trusted me?" He hissed in frustration.

"It wasn't a question of trust. The trial had to be convincing."

"I thought I was condemning you to death." Athos felt a familiar rage stirring within him. The feeling of disloyalty he had felt while giving the damning testimony had almost destroyed him. "How could you do that to me?" He knew that it was unfair to press the issue while Aramis was still injured but he'd carried the guilt and anger for too long and it had begun to fester.

Deep lines of pain marred Aramis' forehead. "I wasn't thinking," he admitted. "When I heard about the threat to the Queen nothing else mattered." He raised a hand to rub at his forehead where the pounding pain had intensified.

"It's obvious you weren't thinking otherwise you would have had the good sense to ask us to back you up." This was the other side of the coin. Aramis had put himself in danger without having anyone in a position to intervene.

"You out of everyone know why I did it," Aramis said, wincing and screwing up his eyes to try to stop the feeling that he was spinning out of control. It didn't help. As the vertigo increased he could feel his stomach heaving.

When Athos saw the green tinge to Aramis' skin he knew what was coming. He snatched up a bowl and held it while Aramis was violently ill. After helping his friend to lie against the pillows, he filled a goblet with water and carried it over. After a few sips Aramis pushed it away. He hadn't opened his eyes and his skin was beaded with sweat.

"I'm sorry," Athos said. "I should have waited."

"No," Aramis said hoarsely. "You were right to challenge me." He opened his eyes. "We knew there was an imminent threat and that we had to move quickly. The consequences for you, Porthos and d'Artagnan were, I will admit, far from my thoughts. I love her, Athos, and she bears my child. What would you have done?"

"You are asking the wrong person. I loved my wife yet I sentenced her to death because that was what was expected of me."

"You carry too many burdens. I was wrong to add to them."

Athos inclined his head in acknowledgment of that confession. "Don't ever lie to me again."

"I won't," Aramis said, looking ashamed. "You have my word as a gentleman."

"Very well," Athos said. "I know you to be an honourable man."

Aramis swallowed to try to clear the foul taste from his mouth. "Was it hard with the others? Did they blame you for my apparent downfall?"

"It was nothing I couldn't handle."

"I am deeply sorry, Athos."

"I know. I will leave you to rest." He picked up his hat. "Treville has asked me to help question the prisoners."

Aramis had paled again. He knew that the interrogation would not be gentle. "Don't be too hard on the woman," he pleaded.

"I will do what I can but they are guilty of treason and the king has already condemned them all to death. I tried to plead for her life as you asked. He was not in a forgiving mood. This is the second attempt on the Queen's life."

"I understand. Thank you for speaking up for her." Aramis slid wearily down the bed. "I think I could sleep now."

Athos wasn't sure that he believed him but accepted it as his cue to leave. "Do you need anything else before I go?"

"No, thank you."

"Sleep in peace, my friend," he said and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

TMTMTM

It was three days before Aramis saw Athos again. During that time he slept and, when awake, endured the fussing of Porthos and d'Artagnan. When Athos rode into the garrison late in the evening Aramis hurried to hold the bridle of his horse so that they could speak privately.

"Is it done?" He asked.

Athos nodded wearily. "They were executed at dusk."

Aramis bowed his head and mentally said a brief prayer for Vivian's soul. "When did you last eat?" He studied his friend carefully, noting the darkness of the skin under Athos' eyes that bespoke a man suffering from exhaustion.

Athos shrugged and walked over to the table to pour a glass of wine. The remains of the evening meal still sat where they had left it so he cut a slice of bread and ladled out some stew.

"Did you find out who was behind the conspiracy?" d'Artagnan asked.

"The King's brother, the Duke of Orleans ordered the Queen's death. He is the heir until she produces a son."

"How'd the king take that?" Porthos asked. "It's a fine family he has with his mother and brother both plotting against him."

"He was angry. He forgave his brother last time the Duke swore his fealty to the crown. It is unlikely he will be so lenient a second time. If the Duke ever shows his face in Paris again he's likely to lose his head."

"How does the Queen fare?" Aramis asked, trying to sound detached.

"There is little news. She remains in seclusion. However, the king seemed in good spirits."

"And you?" Aramis asked gently.

"I have done my duty, as is expected of me."

"Sometimes doing ones duty is harder than at other times," Aramis said.

"That is one of the perils of being a soldier."

"Very profound," Porthos said with a grin.

"Now that we are together again there is something I have to say. I'm sorry I lied to you all and grateful that you came looking for me."

"Did you ever doubt we would?" Athos asked.

"Not for a minute."

"It's what true brothers do," Porthos said.

"We would never abandon you," d'Artagnan added fervently.

Aramis picked up his glass of wine and raised it high. "To brothers," he said.

The toast was echoed by three voices before they all drank secure in the knowledge that their bond was as strong as ever.

TMTMTM

Three weeks later Aramis awoke to the sound of every bell in Paris ringing. His breath caught at the implications and he hurriedly dressed. He had just reached the yard when Treville rode in. A supportive hand on his shoulder told him that Athos was beside him, ready to provide moral and practical support.

"It is surely good news," Athos said soothingly.

Treville dismounted and looked around at the expectant faces of his men. "The Queen is safely delivered of a son. The whole of Paris rejoices. France has a new heir."

"The Queen is well?" Athos asked the question to spare Aramis.

"In good health," Treville answered. "The King has declared a day of celebration. Make the most of it."

Aramis couldn't hide his smile as he turned to Athos. "A son," he said.

"Take care, Aramis."

"Don't worry about me. I will be able to watch over him as he grows."

"No one can ever know," Athos cautioned.

"Anne and I know. That is enough." He turned to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"To church, to thank God for this precious gift."

The closest church to the garrison was a small building with room for no more than a hundred parishioners. It was Aramis' refuge in times of crisis and, today, it was where he chose to celebrate the birth of his son. He wasn't the only person there. A dozen men and women occupied the pews, giving thanks for the new arrival. He genuflected before making his way to a seat at the back.

After sinking to his knees he bowed his head and kissed the cross he wore around his neck. "My son," he murmured too softly for anyone to hear. "I swear that you will have nothing to fear so long as I am living. I will guard you and your mother to my last breath." And he looked up at the beautiful stained glass window which depicted the Virgin Mary holding her newborn son and smiled.

The End