Hey I am back with the next chapter.

I am sorry for the delay! RL …

Thank you to all of you who are reading and reviewing.

To guest: Glad you liked the chapter more to come …

To Debbie: I was laughing at Athos getting irritated with Aramis about petting his hair and grouching at the medic that he was not a dog. Ha ha ha!
Ouch! I hurt for every branch d'Art hit on the way down and now he'll be lucky if all he gets out of the fall is bumps, bruises and a badly sprained ankle and also strained muscles in that leg. Unless he broke bones in his foot with that awkward landing.
And yes, Athos, you really do need to discuss what was in that letter.

Thank you so much for your long review xxx. Oh yes Athos doesn't like to be treated like a dog. Lol Poor d'Artagnan. He will be in the next chapter but more of him in ch 26. I try to post it as soon as I can, promise xx

Well about the letter, maybe you will find out more about it in the next chapter.

Enjoy xx

Kira

Chapter 25

Juan heard a loud noise next to him. He had just entered the dark forest on his horse. Something had dropped down off a tree next to him. The Spanish soldier just had mounted his horse and was in a haste to follow Don Fernando. He didn't want the Comte to see him, so he had decided to take a different path into the woods.

Now he paused, drew his weapon and looked irritatedly around. His eyes had not yet adjusted to the darkness of the forest. His brown horse stamped nervously with his hooves on the ground.

Slowly he moved nearer into the direction where he had heard the loud sound so that he could see what had fallen down from the tree. The young Musketeer was lying directly in front of him. Face down, his arms spread like the wings of an eagle and his main gauche was still attached at the back on a leather belt. The young man didn't move, but moaned softly.

I was right. Of course they did not believe Don Fernando. They were watching us … What shall I do now? An evil grin flickered over his lips.

For a short moment he considered killing the young man. It would have been an easy task. One shot with his pistol into his head and the young Musketeer would cause no more trouble. He was an easy target.

You are a stupid fool. Obviously much too young to be a Musketeer ... I could easily kill you.

But something stopped him and it was not only the noise of another man approaching … the Captain of the Musketeers. He felt that it was somehow wrong to kill a Musketeer. He would be in great trouble. But he wanted to teach the young soldier a lesson. So he bent down over the semi-conscious body of the young man and removed the main gauche from his belt. It was an expensive weapon. Something he would put to his collection of stolen arms.

You are lucky young man and whoever has gifted to you this dagger will be angry with you … this will teach you a lesson. Odd that his sword and pistol are missing. No, I won't kill you.

That Lieutenant is another problem … we were asked to kill him … but this … no the more people we kill … the more they will come after us and hunt us down. Musketeers don't die easily they say … and I don't want to be followed for the rest of my life.

He stowed his drawn pistol away in his belt, then he put the main gauche in his saddlebag mounted again and gave his horse with his feet the sign to move on. He managed to leave several seconds, before Tréville reached d'Artagnan.

XXXXX

"Meoww"

The woman angrily put her dagger away, when she realised that a cat had caused the noise previously. Now the small animal was stroking along her legs and purring loudly, when she didn't react to the animal it started to complain.

Good grief, a cat, a little cat is making me nervous … I'm overtired and I need to sleep. Funny, I nearly killed this cat. Stop complaining … I won't harm you.

"Be quiet, cat! I don't have food for you. Go and chase some mice, but leave me in peace."

She talked aloud to the cat, then she bent down, lifted the small animal, gently petted her head and sat it down again on a nearby hay bale. The cat shook itself, started to lick her legs and ignored the woman, who obviously had no food for her.

What am I doing here? I should have been on my way to Le Havre by now, but instead I am back in Paris, back near the man who nearly killed me …

I have to be careful if the Cardinal finds out that I have returned he will kill me.

The woman sat down on the other hay bale.

But I need to know … why … why did they try to kill him? I was too late to help him.

Why do I still care? He tried to kill me again … well, alright that was after I tried to murder him first, but he spared my life … he could have ended my life so easily with his sword … but he didn't … he … he still loves me … that's why he couldn't kill me …

"He's not worth it … madame … go and find another man …"

Milady was interrupted by a voice talking to her that made her jump. She hadn't heard the man approaching her. Now she noticed the old man, who was standing directly in front of her.

"Pardon?"

She asked, surveying the old man, he was lower than her and talking with a heavy accent. He barely had a tooth left and was about sixty.

"You are a much too respectable madame, maybe even a court-lady, to get involved with our charming marksman." The old man told her.

"What are you talking about?" Milady angrily answered, already thinking about a plan how to leave.

"I saw you earlier talking with Henri. You asked to speak to Aramis." Serge told her. "You left, but returned again and now you are hiding in our stable and waiting." He grinned, then he continued: "But, Aramis is busy today. You won't be lucky. He's not only a very good marksman, but our medic as well and right now he's taking care of one of his comrades, who was injured. Go home, madame." Serge repeated.

Milady finally understood this old Musketeer must think that she was a love interest of Aramis. Of course she knew about the rumours that Aramis was a well-known womanizer, who had many girl-friends.

Maybe this way I'll get my chance to talk to Aramis.

"I need to speak to him, it's urgent. Only five minutes. Please … I think my husband knows … I have to warn him …"

Milady tried, looking now shy and speaking with a broken, barely audible voice, imitating a woman, who was fighting with her tears.

"I'm sorry, madame, but he's not available right now. You can leave him a message and I will give it to him. But, if you are married … it will be the best to go back to your husband and don't see Aramis again." Serge told her.

"But … he might be … in danger." She tried again.

"Look, I understand … believe me … it's not the first time that Aramis has had troubles with a husband and you are not the first woman appearing here …" He looked into Milady's green eyes, then he continued. "Can you write? I will fetch you paper and ink and you can write your message down for him."

Milady nodded.

It seems to be the only way. I can ask Aramis to meet me tonight in a tavern.

"Why don't you go over to the table, where you have waited earlier. It's easier to write a message."

Again Milady nodded and left slowly the stable, while Serge hurried away to fetch her the writing items. For a short moment Milady considered sneaking herself into the infirmary, but then she decided against it. Instead she went over to the bench, as she was told, and sat down.

No, Athos, you asked me to leave, you never want to see me again.

She sighed loudly.

You were hit by this arrow and you didn't look good when I saw you lying there, under that tree, but I could not help. Those men were too many, three against one and your brothers were already arriving. I had to hide.

If they hadn't appeared … I would have … but … it was better this way ...

Milady again shook her head angrily, when she realised that some moisture was now appearing in her eyes. Angrily she wiped her eyes with a white handkerchief.

Going in there now, will probably only upset him …

No … I'll wait here ...

Porthos said that he will be alright again … but nevertheless I want to know who did this to you and why? The man in the woods said they were paid to murder you. But why?

I had to bring the letter to the Queen. That was the least I could do for you.

Maybe I should have opened the letter and read it?

Maybe then I would know, who was behind the assault on you?

If I find out … I swear I will kill this person … survive … please Athos … you must survive ...

"Here you are!"

Milady was driven out of her thoughts, when she heard the voice of the old man, who approached her with ink and paper.

"Thank you."

Milady looked up. Then she started to write a note to Aramis, wondering what she should write and if Aramis would really come. She knew she had to give him a reason to meet her and so she wrote:

I know who did this to Athos. Come and meet me in the Wren at nightfall tonight. M.

She folded the paper carefully and gave it to Serge.

"No one but Aramis is allowed to read this, or my life will be in danger. Do you understand that?" She hissed in a serious tone towards Serge and the old man nodded. "Promise me." Milady claimed and Serge answered her:

"I promise you, madame."

Milady stood up and wanted to leave as the old man stopped her.

"Forget him."

"I can't."

Milady answered. Knowing that Serge was talking about Aramis, but she was only thinking of Athos.

"I don't know, but Aramis, is still searching and if you are married you are not the right woman for him. So, better leave or you will both only hurt each other."

Milady laughed out loud.

"I'll never be able to forget him."

She answered, then without thanking or turning back towards Serge, she hurried away. The old cook only shook his head.

Aramis, I know you had many women the past years, but this woman … she's dangerous. I can sense that. Why do I have the impression that I have seen her somewhere before …

Serge scratched his head, then he continued thinking about that woman and Aramis.

I don't know why, but I have to tell our dear medic, to stay away from her. Maybe I shouldn't give him this note, but I have promised … But I will wait. I won't give it to you now. You have other things to worry about right now.

The old cook had seen many women appearing at the garrison and waiting for one of the Musketeers in the past years. Some shy, some demanding. Sometimes angry and upset, because their favourite man had forgotten a date, sometimes completely blind that their relationship was nothing but an affair that had already been over before it really begun.

Aramis was not the only Musketeer, who had several lady friends, as Serge liked to call them, but Aramis had more than once been in trouble because of a woman. He admired the charming young man. He was good to a woman, could read them, could talk with them the way they wanted to be addressed. Serge had always wondered why Aramis had had so many girlfriends in the past years. He was not sure if the marksman was still searching for the right woman, or if he had lost the love of his life years ago and was trying to find this love again.

Anyway in the past weeks Aramis had been not seeing a woman and so he started to wonder if this woman had really told him the truth. Was there really an envious husband that could be dangerous for Aramis? And if so had this crazy husband confused Aramis with Athos? Was this husband responsible for the assault on Athos?

Serge unconsciously scratched his scalp with his right hand staring at the letter in his hand.

This message is important. Maybe I should report this whole incident with that strange woman to our Captain first. Aramis is busy right now. The garrison is a safe place. An envious husband won't come here. The message has to wait. I'll speak to the Captain first.

XXXXX

In the infirmary

"Yes, the letter … I know it has disappeared somehow, I have no idea when and how? I must have lost it." Athos looked distracted in the distance while driving with his left hand through his hair.

"You asked me to deliver the letter, because it was addressed to the Queen, didn't you? So, so that I could talk with her and ask her if … if …"

"If the child she is expecting is yours." Athos quietly answered, after looking carefully around in the room to make sure that they were really alone. "I know you need to know …" Athos sighed and a small smile hushed over his lips which touched Aramis' heart. Knowing that Athos barely smiled.

"You know me so well." Aramis shook his head.

"I know that deep down in your heart you wish that it is your child. But you know Aramis, even if it is yours … it will always be the King's child. You know that." Athos softly added pressing his friend's leg.

More tears were running down Aramis' face and Athos wished he had the power to stand up and simply embrace his friend, but he was still too weak.

"Yes, I know." Aramis mumbled.

"If the others ever find out your life will be in danger, Aramis. This secret has to stay between us, until the end … the end of our lives." Athos stated in a firm voice. "Do you hear me?" His green eyes now searched again Aramis' and they rested for a long while on them.

The friends looked at each other and in their look there was so much unsaid between them, which they didn't need to speak out loud, because they knew each other so well. Finally Aramis bent his head and asked in a broken voice:

"That's why you said don't tell Tréville. You feared that I would tell him the whole story."

"I have no idea if I had said any of what had happened at the Convent while my fever was that high." Athos explained.

"No, you haven't and even if … we could always have explained that the high fever made you talking nonsense. Nobody would have believed you … well … nobody except Porthos." Aramis softly chuckled. "You know, I think you are wrong. I think we should tell them. It is my doing and this huge secret … it's …causing us to lie … to argue … it's ... it's bringing us into dangerous situations … like this ... It … it nearly killed you …"

Aramis put both of his hands on his face to cover more of his tears running down his cheeks and ending in his beard.

"Stop blaming yourself. What's done is done." Athos softly told him, reaching with his hand for Aramis' left leg and pressed it softly. "But if we start to tell it will endanger your life and not only yours, but the life of the Queen her unborn child and our brothers as well. I have seen the Cardinal's gaze upon you when the Queen announced that she is with child." Athos explained quietly.

"That's why you didn't want me to come with you to the palace." Aramis suddenly looked up surprised. "So you think …"

"Yes, Aramis, I believe it is your child … you can talk about a wonder, you can say her pregnancy was caused by those holy waters … but … I somehow doubt that. They have tried it more than once before. The King wants an heir. They are now married for several years. So ..."

"So you think I am the father … that's why you are trying to protect me." Aramis groaned out loud.

"Personally I think she has used you, Aramis. I think it was a combination of you being her hero once again and …"

"And her wish to finally become pregnant …" Aramis whispered. "Athos, you are wrong." Aramis shook his head. "I don't think she was using me. We needed each other that night and I feel … I … I really have feelings for her."

Aramis now looked at Athos again. His voice more firm knowing very well when he was loved by a woman.

"Then for God's sake stop having those feelings." Athos groaned and Aramis looked anxiously at him. He could see his friend's face, which told him that his friend was in pain.

Athos tried to ignore the intense pain in his thigh, wandering down his leg and made it cramp. He breathed in deep several times and closed his eyes for a short moment.

This damn pain. I wish it would go away … it hurts … I don't want t be that ill. I want to be better. Best I don't worry Aramis.

"Are you alright?"

"Well, I could be better … but that's not the point. When I was lying there, hoping and knowing that you would come and find me … all I wanted was to give you the chance to finally have that talk."

"Maybe she doesn't know either." Aramis answered.

"Believe me she knows." Athos stated firmly searching his friend's eyes while hearing his stomach grumbling.

Aramis stood up and busied himself with the soup Serge had prepared for Athos, while the swordsman closed his eyes again when a new wave of pain his his left leg. Only through pure willpower he could oppress a loud groan. In this moment Aramis turned to his friend around with a bowl in his hand.

"You really need to eat. Come I help you." Aramis put some more pillows to Athos' back, then he held the bowl for his brother, while Athos ate some spoonsful.

The still weak man felt the salty broth in his mouth and he suddenly felt really hungry. For a short moment he feared that he would throw up again, but his sick feeling passed and Aramis encouraged him to eat more. After he had finished half of the bowl he put the spoon down and indicated to Aramis that it was enough for now. Aramis agreed but gave him a piece of fresh bread instead on which Athos started to chew slowly.

"Where are the others?" Athos suddenly asked while he was sinking deeper in the pillows.

Aramis who had turned his back again to his friend in order to put the bowl away answered slowly:

"Tréville and d'Artagnan wanted to go back toChâteau de Fontainebleau to find out about the content of the letter and Porthos took some men to go after them, he fears that they are in danger."

"You are not telling me that they … No, d'Artagnan … he … you must … this is ..."

Athos gasped, while feeling that his head had started to throbb again. He squeezed his eyes shut to get rid of the pain in his head and his leg. Blinking several times, but becoming more and more confused, he tried to formulate a whole sentence, when an unknown fear gripped him. He wasn't sure why, but suddenly he was afraid that something had happened to his little brother. He wanted to tell Aramis, but all his tired mind could do was to think incoherent thoughts and so he stayed silent.

Am I becoming insane? What's wrong with me? Why can't I speak clearly … arghhh ...

Athos suddenly felt an itching pain in his chest and leg. The piece of bread he was still holding in his hand, dropped onto the blanket when his fingers started to tremble slightly. The loud groan that escaped his mouth, startled the medic and he hurried back next to Athos, who now looked paler and had closed his eyes again. Sweat was glistening on his forehead and he moaned several times, while gasping for air.

To be continued ...

A special thank you goes out to my lovely beta Beth xx All remaining mistakes are mine not hers !