The plot will continue to tie together from this point on, id say we are a little more than half way now- at a guess- so things should remain somewhat lighter!

Thanks for the kind words again! Here's the next chapter!

After what had felt like glorious hours of rinsing in warm suds and ridding himself of his purple painted 'passenger,' though was actually a mere twenty minutes, Athos quickly began to dress himself -in what he had been promised- was a brand new uniform bought by his brothers.

The most important part of this information being that this uniform was NOT purple.

Flicking up the collar on his leather jacket and smoothing the newly stiffened fabric out of the arms, Athos took a moment to reflect on his earlier behaviour, feeling somewhat childish now that he weighed the actual cost of his situation.

No one had died, or been at risk of dying.

They had not been under attack.

The situation was not compromised.

It had been a mere prank among brothers which had gone slightly south, nothing wrong with a little fun at the expense of their leader.

Athos shook his head and looked down to where his feet would be, ashamed and a little embarrassed at his earlier outrage -and then leaving his brothers on purpose so they could wallow in guilt.

He quickly tucked and folded his leather gloves into the side of his belt, he wouldn't need them this evening lest he lose his wits again and find the overwhelming urge to slap one of his men upside the head.

Smiling at the thought, the last of Athos' anger drained away -just like the purple tainted water that now ran down the plug hole, taking his pained feelings with it- and finally feeling like his calm self again.

Letting go of his grudges and replacing them with an understanding humour and perhaps a smidge of guilt, Athos' smile broadened into a grin, staring up into the constant blackness where he was sure his mirror stood.

He already knew his face was betraying his notoriously cool demeanour, he didn't need the aid of a reflection to tell him so -his minds eye could still see everything just as clearly, if not more lately.

Perhaps this blind thing is teaching me a lesson in temperament, Athos mused.

Taking the time to roll up the rims of his cuffed sleeves and straighten the hat upon his head, Athos silently pondered how he would approach his brothers and offer them the forgiveness they deserved, plus his own heart felt apologies over the immature behaviour he had displayed earlier.

He did not want to come off as 'easily forgiving' to his friends, for such a sudden gesture that lead to no punishments may encourage more bolder and mischievous acts- something he planned to avoid from now on.

Then again, he could not address them too stiffly, for they would assume he felt obliged, as leader, to offer them an apology, though clearly not mean it judged by his demeanour.

Wiping a hand across his face, Athos sighed.

He spent more time thinking about and organizing his brothers feelings than he did his own! Couldn't they all just relax for one day without causing such a mess!

He rolled his eyes in amusement before settling into more serious thoughts.

His brothers had held good intentions when they had subjugated him to his purple attire, merely wanting him to laugh at their antics as they had become accustomed to each time, trying to tear him from the misery blindness could bring.

Now convinced that he had made more of an error in judgement than they had, Athos rolled his eyes for a second time.

Leave it to him to always have to be the one to fix things around here, Athos thought.

He was still annoyed at what they had unwittingly forced him through but he could not be angry at them forever. And though he may not hold a grudge that did not mean revenge was not in order

His eyes lit up mischievously at the thought, as Athos suddenly knew how to deal with his brothers.

Ready to go, Athos almost stopped to take a glance around the room as had become his accustomed habit, his smile faltering slightly as his surroundings remained as black as ever.

He almost sought to leave his eyes closed at all times and probably would have if not for the sake of his brothers -who found it pessimistic and unnerving.

Attempting to keep his mind on the optimistic side of life, Athos nodded once to himself for encouragement and turned towards the door, opening it wide and heading down the creaking steps once again, intent on finding his brothers.

He should not be so uptight and care of his appearance or name so highly- after all it was his brothers that mattered most and he had left them to suffer

Upon reaching the first floor landing of the garrison, Athos noted the eerie quietness -feeling the empty space around him more than hearing it.

"Hello?" he called, shuffling forwards, arms out and searching for a new wall.

"They're at the Rams Head tavern" Trevilles voice came from behind him.

Had their been a weapon in his hand, Athos was sure his captain would have been shot and decapitated within seconds of revealing himself.

He was now glad he had thought it wise to leave them up in his room, he wouldn't need them now anyway, let alone use them.

Instead Athos had spun around in fright, his defensive position and tense muscles relaxing almost as soon as they had stiffened as he recognized the voice and its owner.

"I do beg your pardon, Athos. I sometimes forget how unnerving it must be for you if I do not present myself" Treville grumbled, stepping around his panting man, rubbing him on the shoulder as he passed.

Shaking his head in apology, Athos follow the footsteps with a reply, " 'Tis not your fault, sir, though I wouldn't mind if you announced yourself from here on out" he jested with an air of formality, attempting to hold some humour in what he began to feel was an awkward situation, a question rising in his mind.

Coming to a stop, at an unknown point in the room, Treville faced Athos knowingly, feeling the man wanting to ask him a question but obviously thinking about how to go about stating it first.

He smiled, it seemed that with his sight gone, Athos had forgone schooling his features as he commonly did, his feelings and thoughts now on the outside for all to see.

"Don't worry yourself, Athos, I'll take you there" Treville announced, beating him to the punch line and wrapping his cloak around his shoulders properly.

Setting off out the door with Athos in tow, the two men headed back out into the crisp air of January towards their friend filled tavern, snow drops continuing to flutter down around them from the heavens bursting above.

Hope you weren't too bored by the ranting of this chapter, I felt the need to flesh out Athos' personal thoughts and feelings as he went through the motions of overcoming his woes and taking the responsibility- as he always does- to look after his brothers.

At least we know they will be in for a shock for his little visit!

And by the way, this story is not over yet-until Athos wreak his revenge. (So we still have a short way to go yet!)

Please leave a review to let me know what you think! Until next time, my pretties!