Greetings My Lovelies
I'm apologizing now if this chapter is full of spelling mistakes or if it doesn't make much sense, I'm running on very little energy at the moment so there's probably a whole load of errors in here
Notes On Reviews
CaroH: Thanks for the review - We'll be dealing with Aramis in tomorrow's chapter and he'll be feeling the results of pushing himself so hard. I dont really know how i'd kill Milady if i went about it so on that premise i think she'll probably survive. Enjoy the new chapter
Tidia: Thanks for the review - Aramis in need of some TLC for himself at the moment as he and D'Art are the worst injured. Enjoy the new chapter
Issai: Thanks for the reviews - 2 reviews to respond to :) There seems to be a lot of punching going around at the moment as there's two punches in today's chapter. I'm not sure that they can convince Athos that it isnt all his fault but they're gonna give it a damn good try lol :) Kara went back with Treville as Aramis figured it'd be safer for her so she's waiting in Paris for them at the moment. Enjoy the new chapter
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - If it makes you feel any better they did have bedrolls and blankets so they werent straight on the floor. I was tempted to have them all in the wagon but it'd be quite the squeeze and I doubt Aramis's nor D'Art's injuries would like that very much :) I dont think the boys understand why we put them through so much but it leads to cute moments in the end so it makes it all worth it :) Enjoy the new chapter
As always many thanks to you lovely people who continue to read/follow/favourite/review this story
Enjoy - apologies again if this is a bit of a crap chapter
xxx
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Reaching Home
Athos had never been so happy to see the sights of Paris, as he had been when the group finally entered the city after days of travel.
The remainder of their journey seemed to be full of one incident after another and whilst he was extremely glad not to have seen any more of his murderess wife's attempts on their lives, he was beginning to think that they were cursed given everything that had happened to them in such a short time frame.
True to their expectations, Aramis had suffered from Savoy nightmares during the nights they were forced to camp outside – one of them had gotten bad enough that the panicked marksman had ended up punching D'Artagnan in the face while he slept before Athos or Porthos could get to them to wake him up.
The medic had been full of remorse and wouldn't stop apologizing to the Gascon, no matter how many times D'Artagnan brushed it off and told him it was fine and that he forgave him. It eventually got to the point where D'Artagnan finally snapped and punched Aramis in the face with his good arm, snapping at the man that now they were even so he could shut up with the apologies. Thankfully instead of being offended or angry at the boy's actions Aramis merely nodded and accepted his brother words – seemingly understanding that the pain radiating through the youngster's body was making him just a tiny bit irritable.
Then to make matters worse it had started to rain, not enough to warrant stopping but enough to have Athos glaring at the sky as if the rain was a personal offence. He knew that given how their luck seemed to be going that one if not all them would be getting a cold because of it.
Then in the last few hours of their journey Porthos and Aramis started to bicker when the larger man attempted to tell the still irritable Gascon tales of their Spaniard's most embarrassing attempts at or consequences from wooing the fairer sex. This had led to the medic trying to get revenge by telling embarrassing stories of Porthos. The bickering and talking over each other was enough to give Athos a migraine.
"Athos!" Called a familiar voice – lifting his head that had been resting on his chest as he cursed having such children as brothers under his breath, the two of them were still at their petty argument which had quickly turned to a competition of sorts to see who could out do the other the best, Athos saw the face of his long time Captain and friend, though he couldn't help but glare at the man as he saw him trying to hide a smirk at their drowned appearance and the bickering happening from the wagon.
"How are you doing?" Treville asked, casting a critical eye over his men as best as he was able at his position.
"It's good to be back" Athos stressed, feeling himself finally relax for the first time in at least a week as he dismounted his horse.
Treville smirk grew then knowing that while Athos was a patient man when it came to his brothers the combined efforts of Aramis and Porthos was enough to push his patience to the max.
"What happened?" He asked shocked as he saw the bloodstain and tear on his lieutenant's shirtsleeve
"Milady was not ready to accept that he plans at the house had failed" Athos informed, keeping his voice and face expressionless – something that concerned Treville greatly and did not go unnoticed by his, now silent, brothers. "She sent men after us on the road, they caught up after we departed Toulouse. Fortunately she did not choose based on skill and so we were able to defeat them without much trouble" Athos informed
"'Cept the whelp got himself stabbed" Porthos interjected
"And then proceeded to ruin my fine needlework after not even a day" Aramis added cheerfully
"…Not my fault" D'Artagnan mumbled tiredly, raising his unbound arm to try and rub the tiredness out of his eyes. He doubted his brothers had not noticed his reluctance to sleep again and he knew he needed to get some to help his body heal but every time he closed his eyes he was back in that room, only this time his brothers weren't with him… Not even Pierre or Milady was there, he was tied up, forced to stare up at Lucian practically drooling face. Every part of him knew that his nightmares were foolish given that Lucian had been dead for months and the room didn't even exist anymore but… but he just couldn't get that image out of his head. He knew he was going to need to talk to one if not all of them soon as he doubted they would leave it as long as they had before but he was determined to try to beat it on his own first before turning to them for help.
Aramis simply smiled at his little brother, using the fact that the young man couldn't move to stop him, the medic was quick to ruffle the Gascon's hair with his good hand, both him and Porthos bursting out laughing at D'Artagnan's attempts to stop him.
A loud cough brought the threesome back to the fact that they were in the presence of their commanding officer – something that had the three of them grinning sheepishly at Treville. "D'Artagnan?" he asked sternly, though he was unable to fully hide his smirk
"M'fine sir"
"He will be" Aramis amended, ignoring the glare being sent his way from the boy next to him, "He just needs time" and then with a pointed look at the Gascon he added gently, "and rest"
D'Artagnan huffed at the medic's mothering but nevertheless nodded to the man in promise that he would confined in them when he need to but before it got too bad.
"And the rest of you?"
"Healing as well as can be given the circumstances" Athos offered, referencing the recent bad weather and attack by his wife.
Treville waited a moment to see if Aramis would contradict his lieutenant. He may listen to Athos's judgment in a lot of things but when it came to the man's own health Treville would rely on Aramis. Seeing not objection was forthcoming Treville ordered them to get settled in their rooms and to get some rest, informing the group that he would inform the King of their return as the monarch, or at the very least the Queen, had been concerned when they learned what really happened.
The group looked a bit surprised and perplexed by this notion but nodded anyway before moving to head to their rooms.
"Have your men returned yet Captain?" King Louis asked as he lounged on his throne
"They arrived not too long ago Your Majesty" Treville informed, "They met some trouble on the road and as such are a bit worse for wear at present"
"Are they alright?" Queen Anne asked worriedly, her hand unconsciously moving to rest on her growing stomach as she thought of one musketeer in particular.
"In dire need of some warm food, a wash and a bed that isn't the hard ground but otherwise Aramis ensures me they will all heal" Treville reassured, nodding his thanks to the young Queen for her concern for his men.
"Of course" King Louis agreed offhandedly, "One can only imagine how filthy they would be after their ordeal"
Treville wasn't quite sure how to respond to that so simply waited for the King to continue, merely glad that he had caught the monarch without the Cardinal's presence as he really didn't know if he had it in him to deal with Richelieu today, not when he had men injured.
"How soon until they will be back on duty?" Louis asked
"Athos needs only some time to get some rest. Porthos is still injured but Aramis ensured me he's healing well so he should be able to get back to light duty by the end of the week and full duty in a couple of weeks. Aramis and D'Artagnan however" he informed, hesitating as he mentioned the last too men of his inseparable group as he had seen the annoyance in the King's eyes when he learnt of Porthos's inability to return to full duty straight away, "Aramis and D'Artagnan were the most severely hurt by Pierre and his men and then on the way back to Paris the four of them were ambushed and D'Artagnan suffered a stab wound" Queen Anne gasped at his words so he quickly sent her a sympathetic smile before continuing, "Aramis will be off duty for several weeks before he can return to light duty and D'Artagnan's return will depend on how quickly the muscle damaged by the gunshot can heal"
To the Captain's surprised Louis actually looked slightly angry at the harm that had befallen his men and he felt hope surge that the group would be granted the time off they needed to heal properly as the King had the right and the authority to overrule any judgments Treville made and could order all his men back to work right now if he so wished.
"I would like to see them tomorrow" Louis announced, further surprising the Captain
"Your Majesty?"
"Crimes must be paid for Treville" he said seriously, "especially when one causes harm such as this. This Pierre has waited long enough to hear his judgment, bring your men here tomorrow afternoon and we shall see justice done"
