Evening My Lovelies :)
Wow last chapter was the most reviewed chapter of this story so far, reaching an amazing 17 reviews in just under 24hours! Love you guys for that.
Overall the general consensus to my question yesterday was that our boys have suffered enough (for now at least) so I have allowed them a non-interrupted trip home :)
Notes On Reviews:
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I had forgotten about that... which is probably a bad thing seeing as one of the other stories i've been sort of dabbling in has that mentioned in it (I'm blaming the focus on this as my reason for forgetting) Aramis trying to help was cute so I'm glad you enjoyed that. Our boy will be having a peaceful trip home but I have plans yet for Ortiz so we havent seen the end of him yet. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Yeah Aramis is not happy about not being able to do anything. Enjoy the new chapter! x
A reader (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hehe glad you liked the punch :) I really wanted one of them to do it and seemed like Porthos would be the most likely one to throw it :D Glad you enjoyed the chapters :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - I'll get to the papers... Probably in tomorrow's chapter (I havent forgotten them) I dont think our boys understand the fact that needing to rest also applies to them when one (or in this case all) of them are injured. Enjoy the new chapter! x
ploiuiu: Thanks for the review - The King and Queen will find out a bit of whats going on in tomorrows chapter, though at the moment Treville doesnt even really know what it's all about as the men have been unconscious or focused on each other and have since forgotten to mention it. But worry not we'll be addressing it tomorrow as I said :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
fariedragon: Thanks for the review - I debated a small scuffle but have decided against it I'm afraid, hopefully you'll still like what I wrote. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Ruth (Guest): Thanks for the review - Curse you and your logic forcing me to reign in my evil mind that's just screaming different ways I can whump the boys lol :D But I get what you're saying and it makes more sense then having them injured more so they'll be having a non-interrupted trip home so thanks for the advice :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - I'm sure the meters are enjoying the break lol :) We might need a cute-o-meter for some of the conversations I have planned in a few chapters time though :D Bryce might piss you off a bit today but I'm debating having him redeem himself later on so we'll see. Glad you're enjoying the OC's though :D Hopefully this chapter is okay, I've kept the angsty/whumpage stuff down a bit and let them have a peaceful trip... Though i do have plenty more whumpage planned :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Ooooh that's quite a good idea, I haven't used it here as our boys need a rest but I might use it later on :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
CandyCakes: Thanks for the review - Glad you're enjoying it, worry not I have more whumpage planned though it'll be a little while. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tina (Guest): Thanks for the review - Ahh another one with logic :D Yeah I do agree (when I've silenced the evil whumpage screaming part of my mind) so our boys will have a safe trip home today :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Enjoy the new chapter! x
the dollophead (Guest): Thanks for the review - First off loving the screen name XD it's giving me Merlin flashbacks now though :D I'll be addressing the whole letter issue tomorrow, worry not I've not forgotten, it's just our boys have been a bit out of it or focused on other things to really remember. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Bookdancer: Thanks for the review - Thank you for your kind words, they made me smile :) I'm hoping today's chapter is okay... Part of me thinks I rushed the trip home but seeing as how I decided on them not running into trouble I couldnt see a way to justify it taking longer. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Srta. McLean: Thanks for the review - Wow thank you so much, that totally made me smile :D Hmm I'm liking the possibility of a revolt against Ortiz... maybe i'll see what i can do with that :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - I know it wasnt for chpt24 but I'll address it here anyways :) Yeah the non-inseparable musketeers are having a hard time dealing with all the injuries our boys have sustained and listening to them in pain doesnt help. Treville knows Athos too well i think :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I was a bit surprised when the first part of your review came in as it was quite short compared to the lovely long ones you usually send me but it made sense when the 2nd half came through. Athos is not having much luck convincing D'Artagnan that this wasnt his fault, I think it'll take a combined effort from all of the inseparables and several chats for it sink in. Athos has quite the fever which is making him dizzy but yeah it's quite concerning as well. I loved writing Aramis happy as he (with reason) has been quite depressed so far this story so it was nice to write him cheerful again... even if it did fade quite quickly. I have a feeling that Treville and the others just look at them like "Really!" When either of them tried to do anything... Probably more so with Aramis as he's a medic so you would think he would be more alert to the limitations of his own injuries... I wouldnt put it passed any of them to have at least thought about face-palming at least once lol. I quite liked the 'Whelp' moment too :) I debated having Treville let Aramis help but figured he wouldnt allow it given the man's injuries, hence the challenge which I quite liked the idea of :D The snuggly moments are fairly short but hopefully enjoyable regardless :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Phew *wipes forehead* that took a while to respond to you all... Not that I'm complaining I LOVE hearing from you all, especially as I tend to wake up to a bunch of lovely reviews which is the best way to start the day :D
As always many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Twenty-Five: Homeward Bound
"So what's up with your village anyways?" asked Farrin, always the more direct of the two musketeers sent with Bryce
"What?" Bryce asked, confused by the sudden choice in topic, especially given the fact the trio had gotten half way to his farm in silence.
"We're loyal servants of the King," Farrin continued, though it was clear in his voice he was trying to hold back his anger at the situation they had found themselves in. "Why would your village refuse to help us but willingly go along with whatever treasonous plans that scumbag Spaniard concocted?"
Bryce scoffed, then quickly swallowed nervously when the two musketeers glared at him. "The King could care less about no-name villages like ours… Ortiz came when we needed help most, not the King. For that we owe him"
Etienne sighed, knowing in his heart that the young man was correct in the King's lack of concern for the smaller settlements in the country. "What of D'Artagnan though?" he asked curiously, eyes narrowing when he noticed Bryce becoming increasingly more tense at the mention of D'Artagnan's name.
"What 'bout him?" grouched the young man, keeping his eyes glued to the ground as he brought them up to the barn where the wagons were kept.
"Despite the lack of love for the King, surely you would want to help one of your own?" Etienne asked softly, ensuring that he kept his voice as calm as possible as he had a feeling he was pushing a subject the man wasn't comfortable with.
"He's not one of us!" snapped Bryce before he remembered who he was talking to and quickly dipped his head. "Look." He sighed after a few moments of stunned silence from the two men. "You're not staying and Charles wont come back so what's the point dredging up all of this? Just take the wagons and go!"
The two musketeers looked very much like they wanted to question the matter further but Bryce didn't give them the chance as he stomped back into his home before either of them could say anything further.
"I don't like this." Grumbled Farrin as he attached the first wagon to his horse.
"Me either." Sighed Etienne as he did the same to his horse. "But we don't have time for it now. You heard Galen, D'Artagnan's in seriously bad shape and as much as the others try to brush it off, they're not exactly fit for duty either"
The reminder of their wounded brothers was enough to spur the annoyed Farrin on.
"You're right." He nodded, mounting his horse and urging it towards the location of their camp.
"Course I am." Grinned Etienne as he pulled his horse up alongside Farrin's. "Thought you would've learnt that by now."
"I see our guest has left us." Treville commented as he watched his men ride into their small camp with the promised wagons.
"We… May have pushed some subjects a bit far and he has since declined our company." Answered Etienne as he and Farrin worked to detach the wagons and their horses.
"Anything I need to know?" Treville asked, narrowing his eyes at his men.
"Possibly," nodded Farrin before following the Captain so the pair could talk in private. After all, the last thing they needed was for an entire camp of already on edge musketeers to have something else to fret over.
The following morning was a flurry of activity for the small musketeer camp. Supplies for the journey such as water were refilled and handed out to the appropriate people. Ortiz was begrudgingly attended to by his two assigned handlers, though both men steadfastly refused to offer the man anything to eat or drink… After all their brother's hadn't had that luxury when they were in his hands, why should he receive it when he was in theirs?... They did however take great pleasure of watching the man scowl at them while they ate their breakfast in front of him.
While all this was going on Treville and Farrin were prepping the two wagons, trying to make them as comfortable as possible for the injured men who would later be travelling in them.
Without even needing to ask Treville had been handed blankets and bedrolls from each and every one of his men to use as padding against the hard wood of the wagons.
Then, with the wagon's prepared and supplies and everything else sorted they moved on to doing last minute injury checks and rebandagings of the injured musketeers.
They focused on Porthos first as aside from D'Artagnan's, his wounds were the most likely to get infected given that they had been caused by a dog's claws and teeth rather than a blade or a whip.
None of the men tending to him could hold back a grimace or a wince when they looked at the damaged done to his wrist. As they had feared the wound had started to show signs of infections and all Thierry could hope for was that they had noticed it in time to prevent it before it got worse.
Draining the infected wound had caused the musketeer enough pain to force him awake… Though it was only long enough to once again try to punch Thierry and to scream before passing out again.
"With how much you seem to want to punch me I'm beginning to get offended." Joked Thierry as he finished applying a poultice to the bite wound on Porthos's wrist, though his words went unnoticed by the unconscious musketeer.
"How we looking?" Treville asked, leaning over Thierry's shoulder to have a look at his soldier.
"Wrist's infected." Grimaced Thierry, wrapping a bandage around the wound. "Bone's not shifted though which is good, splint's doing its job and the rest of his wounds, whilst being painful, are clear."
Nodding Treville breathed a sigh of relief. Porthos was clear of complications aside from a small infection that he didn't doubt his soldier could beat. "Let's get him in a wagon." He ordered, nearly all the musketeers moving to help get their comrade over to the wagon as smoothly as possible.
"Check Aramis next." Ordered Treville, "He's less likely to try anything if he's in the wagon."
Smirking at their Captain's mock irritation at the medic's antics the night before when he had tried to move to D'Artagnan's side, despite his numerous painful injuries.
Unwrapping the bandage that covered the sharpshooter's back Etienne couldn't help but sigh in relief when he saw that none of the wounds appeared infected and that aside from the odd pulled stitch which took hardly no time at all to fix, his back was as good as it could be.
His relief only grew when they noted that the broken bones in his leg had surprisingly not shifted after his attempts to move last night… What did make their anger grow however was the now deep blue, almost black chain link bruises that littered the lower half of their friend's leg. Those bruises alone would make the simple act of waking difficult for the medic… But with a broken leg as well… the man was going to be bed bound for several long weeks, if not months.
"What of his shoulder wound?" Treville asked after Etienne had finished relaying all that information to him.
Etienne blinked, looking thoroughly confused before cursing profusely for having forgotten to check the wound the night before.
"Shit!" he swore as he unwrapped the now sodden bandage to see a clearly infected wound with most of its stitches popped.
"Sorry Captain… I –" ranted Etienne as he rushed to gather the supplies needed to clean the wound.
"There was a lot going on... Plus it looked already treated" assured Treville, placing a hand on Etienne's worried shoulder. "Clean it as best you can and we'll check it when we stop later on."
Etienne nodded, thoroughly relieved that the Captain didn't chew his head off for forgetting and got started clearing the wound.
Much to the concern of the group Aramis didn't stir beyond letting out a small whimper of pain during the cleaning and stitching process, though the relaxed when Thierry joked that he would see to Aramis later and see if it was just that he was a punchable person or if Porthos just had a secret vendetta against him.
"Let's put him with Porthos," Treville ordered when they finished tending to the unconscious man. "He'll not rest if he wakes up next to D'Artagnan." He explained before the group carried the musketeer to the wagon, settling him so he was laying on his front as much as possible and so that his leg had extra padding and was cushioned at the sides in an attempt to protect it during the journey.
"Right." Breathed Treville, "Now Athos."
Worryingly the swordsman's temperature had risen during the night and Galen, who had quickly stepped away from D'Artagnan's side when he was queried about it, recommended they give him a fever draught before anything else in hopes that it would prevent the stress of the journey from increasing his fever.
As Athos's injuries were centered on his back it made it much easier for the men to check over his wounds. None of them could hold back a growl or a cringe at the sight of such burnt flesh and none didn't have the urge to pummel Ortiz's face into the ground right then and there, but thankfully apart from some redness around the edges and some tenderness given Athos's sleeping reaction, the wounds were clear.
Having quickly covered the wounds in another helping of burn salve before re-wrapping them Treville ordered his men to carry the lieutenant to the second wagon.
Once his lieutenant was settled Treville steeled himself before moving over to D'Artagnan's side. Sympathy for his men surging within him as he saw that both Galen and Leroy were so exhausted they were practically dead on their feet.
"Did either of you sleep at all?" blurted out Treville before he could catch himself. His eyes narrowed at the sheepish looks the two exhausted men sent him.
"There was a lot to do." Explained Galen, though he had to pause half way through to yawn. "'sides we had to keep waking him up because of his head wound anyway."
"And you couldn't have done that in shifts?"
"Easier for both of us to keep an eye on him," yawned Leroy as he lifted his arms above his head for a stretch, "We're fine."
"Ride with one of the others today, the last thing we need is one of you falling off your horses because you fell asleep." Ordered Treville, though the small smile on his face spoke volumes about his gratitude towards the two men.
"Yes sir!" Came the tired, yet somehow still cheeky response from the two men.
"Is he okay to be moved or do you need some more time?" Treville asked, shaking his head fondly at the two men.
"We just finished checking him over when you arrived" Leroy explained, "His in seriously bad shape but he's ready to go if you are."
Nodding Treville called the rest of his men over and with extra gentleness the group carried their injured little brother to the wagon, settling him in as carefully as he could and none of them could contain their smiles when the saw the boy automatically shift in his sleep to nestle into Athos's side.
"Not a word." Said Treville, though all could hear his amusement at the two men, which only grew as Athos's head turned in his sleep to face the young Gascon.
Covering the two men with a blanket he moved to do the same to Porthos and Aramis, only to find them in a similar position as the rest of the inseparables – Somehow Aramis had managed to already tangle his good leg in with Porthos's and the larger man had his arm swung loosely over the medic's neck and shoulders, somehow pulling the unconscious Spaniard close enough to him, without jostling his injured leg, that the man's head was now laying on Porthos's chest.
"I'm not even going to ask how that happened," mused Treville as he threw a blanket over the two men.
Having seen to his men and decided that given the pace they would be traveling at that Ortiz would be made to walk, the group set off.
Due to the precarious nature of the musketeers' injuries the group was forced to travel slow and stop often. Their concern for their comrades only grew during the trip when D'Artagnan's fever refused to abdicate and he struggled to stay awake longer than a few minutes and struggled to hold down more than half a cup of very weak broth at any given time.
Athos's fever had also refused to abdicate but thankfully stayed at a much more manageable and less concerning level. Aramis's shoulder infection was relentless and caused no end of guilt and worry for Etienne who saw it as his personal mission to see to it. Porthos's had managed to aggravate his broken bones more than once in his sleep, causing Thierry to have to reset them numerous times before they decided to cover the entire wrist with splints and wrap it as tightly as they dared, hoping that would protect the bones. None of them had any desire to listen to the man's cries of pain when the bones were reset any longer.
Thankfully one thing that did continually cheer up the musketeers that had travelled with Treville was that every time they stopped they would find the two sets of musketeers snuggled up as close together as they could get given their injuries.
Although the journey was long and arduous they eventually reached Paris once more.
"Farrin!" Called Treville, waiting until the musketeer had ridden up beside him, "Ride ahead and find doctors Pascal and Saunier, bring them to the garrisons infirmary and we'll meet you there."
"Yes sir" nodded Farrin before urging his horse into a gallop.
"I'm going to inform their majesties what's happened," Treville added, turning to his men, "You two take Ortiz to the Bastille, we'll deal with him later… The rest of you ensure they get to the garrison. If I'm not back once the physicians' have seen them come find me."
Sending his sleeping men one last look Treville turned his horse towards the direction of the palace.