Chapter 28

Athos stood for a few moments at the door of the room that held Aramis. Porthos was sitting by the man's bed where he had stayed for the last four days. He looked up, sensing Athos's presence, and half-smiled at the older man as Athos walked in, taking a seat next to him.

"How is he?" he asked, his eyes falling on their sleeping brother.

"His body is getting stronger, slowly, but his mind...I fear is getting weaker," Porthos replied, his voice trailing off at the last bit. Athos nodded, believing that Porthos was right.

Aramis's fever had broken after two days and his injuries were healing well. His body, to the relief of the others, had chosen to fight. His mind had not. When he had finally awoken from his feverish sleep, Aramis was no longer with them. His eyes were dead and cold. He didn't speak or even acknowledge that any of his friends were there. He believed he had lost both Marie and their child and with that belief he had died with them.

Aramis shuddered, mumbling something in his sleep. His words were in Spanish, but both men could hear the panic in them. Porthos reached out and gently ran a hand through Aramis's thick mop of hair. The action seemed to sooth him and it only took a few seconds for him to settle.

"It's always Spanish. I never know what he's saying," Porthos said sadly.

"And he only speaks in his sleep. When he's awake, he's silent," he added. Athos didn't say anything. The pain in his friend's voice mirrored his own.

"I wish I could say it will be okay and he will get better. But we all know it's not the truth. The only way he will come back to us if Marie wakes up," Athos sighed sadly. Porthos just nodded. The two friends fell silent as they sat keeping watch over Aramis.


D'Artagnan stood up, stretching out his stiff body before walking around the room to stretch his legs. Athos had asked him to stay with Marie so he could go and see Aramis.

He sighed, stopping by the window and looking out over the grounds of the mansion that had become their home for the last week. Both he and Porthos had refused to leave their two friends. A message had been sent to Treville and the captain had been completely understanding of the situation.

A quiet groan from the bed caused D'Artagnan to freeze mid-thought. He turned to see Marie looking back at him. The relief he felt wash through him was something he had never felt before. He knew not only had her life been saved, but Aramis's too.

"D'Artagnan?" she croaked, her voice hoarse with disuse.

"It's me. Oh God, Marie, thank the heavens you're awake," he cried, smiling and sitting down next to her, taking her hand in his.

"Where's Athos?" she asked, looking up at her friend. She frowned, taking in his tired features.

"He's just next door. I'll go get him. I am so pleased you are going to be okay. I've missed you," D'Artagnan told her honestly, leaning down and planting a kiss on her forehead before rushing out the room.

"Athos!" D'Artagnan called as he appeared at the door. Athos looked around fearfully, but the smile plastered on the younger Musketeer's face was enough for Athos to know why he was there.

"Marie is awake! She was asking for you!" D'Artagnan told him. Athos just nodded, concealing his relief as he got up and left the room.

Marie opened her eyes as Athos appeared by her side. He didn't say anything; he simply pulled her close to him. She curled up against him, allowing her brother's comfort to soothe her.

They stayed silent for a while, both of them relishing the fact that the other was still alive.

"Athos what happened to me?" Marie asked finally, breaking the silence. Athos frowned, looking down into her eyes and seeing the clear confusion held in them. He realized she didn't remember much of what had happened. She wasn't strong enough for answers yet.

"Don't worry. You're safe now and that's all that matters," he murmured gently, pulling her closer to him.

"Where is Aramis?" she asked, pulling away from him, Athos didn't answer straight away. Marie took it as a bad sign.

"No. No. Please tell me he isn't dead? No, please," she begged him.

"Marie! Listen to me. He isn't dead. I promise you he is still alive," he assured her as she fell back against him.

"Still alive? Where is he?" she asked him as she shut her eyes, suddenly feeling exhausted.

"He is next door resting," Athos told her evasively.

"Is he okay?"

"He will be. Get some rest," he said, tightening his hold on his little sister and feeling her relax next to him. He shut his eyes. For the first time in a long time he fell into a peaceful sleep.