Evening My Lovelies
We're in for a Porthos driven chapter today which I hope you all enjoy :)
Notes On Reviews:
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yeah, lots of worrying going on lately :) Aramis is definitely kicking himself for shouting at D'Art like he did though he doesnt regret why he shouted just that he did if that makes sense. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you liked it :) I've taken a step to hopefully make Aramis a little less stressed as you'll see today. Aramis is pretty much just ignoring all of his own pain to focus on the others right now. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Hmmm any ideas how you would like Durand to go? I have a few but I'm always open to suggestions. Aramis is feeling awful regardless unfortunately. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Ruth (Guest): Thanks for the review - Been a while my friend, welcome back :) Yeah everyone's pretty much at their limits, even the non injured musketeers like Henri as they've been running around after everyone else. Liking the positive thought of at least he's resting :) Haha that's an image :) I'm now tempted to have one of our baddies return early just so our hyped up musketeers can kick his ass. Aramis is kinda getting a nap today, he needed it after all he's been through, plus I've taken measures to lighten the load on our lovely medic. Yay glad you liked the snuggly moment, I was sooooo tempted to write them tripping over each other as they tried to get to Aramis's & Athos's side. I know what you mean siblingwise me and mine are the same, we can pick on each other fine but no one else is allowed to :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - We'll be seeing Treville a bit more awake in tomorrow's chapter as well, everyones beginning to wake up a bit. I know I'm just evil that way, as soon as things start going even remotely smooth I step in to ruin it :D I hate them at odds too! I just have to keep reminding myself that the cutesy brotherly moment that'll eventually resolve everything will be worth it... And they're under a lot off stress at the moment which isn't helping. I'm soooo glad you're enjoying the story so far, thank you for your continued support it really means a lot! Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - We're getting close to some physical stuff as well so stay tuned for that :) I'm hoping I can get us there in the next chapter or so :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - I know, Favier and Issac are so similar to the inseparables I almost hate myself for having debated killing Favier off at one point... I'm now really glad i didnt as I'm quite fond of the pair of them. Well Aramis in protective mode and D'Art being stubborn is just a usual day for them but yeah poor Athos is going to be really sore for a while. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Well I did promise you something fairly big Athos whump-wise... hopefully that fit the bill :) We might even see some complications arise from it if I'm feeling particularly evil. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter34) Yeah the potential for romance pretty much flew out of the window when she shot at them... though in all fairness I'd kinda edged away from her being any of their romantic interests a few chapters back. I am keen to try my hand at a bit of romance so there might be a bit of it in my next story (though it wont be the main focus). I get what you're saying and I'm quite torn as to whether he'd forgive her, like you I think he probably would if it had been him that was hit but seeing as it was Athos it becomes quite a bit harder for him to forgive. (chapter35) I'm loving how D'Art is so far, though he's probably nearing a breakdown at some stage which should be equally interesting to write (i'm a horrible person lol) Yay I'm glad you like Issac, Favier & Henri, they're really growing on me so it makes my day when people say they like them :D Aramis is beyond stressed, add worrying about D'Arts fever to the mix along with everything else and it just causes him to snap (that and i've developed a fondness for writing ranty Aramis), though it is all done from a good place (just doesnt come out that way) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Guest: Thanks for the review - Hahaha I hadnt thought of that but yeah they must be... we're just going to ignore that fact I think lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I'm loving D'Art so detached and emotionless at the moment, though he is nearing an emotional breakdown very soon which should be fun to write. I just couldn't leave Favier out of it any longer plus the mental image of Issac sobbing on him in relief wouldnt leave my mind so I had to wake him up. Durand currently has absolutely no one in his corner as you'll see a bit off today. I'm so very very much in love with snippy/ranty Aramis so I can't help but write all these outbursts for him and unfortunately D'Art tends to be at the receiving end thanks to his reckless stubborn nature. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks to all you awesome people who follow/favourite/review/read
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Thirty-Six: Learning The Truth
"You should get some sleep whelp," said Porthos softly as he placed a blanket over the shoulders of Aramis who, after assuring himself for the tenth time that everything possible had been done for Athos, had passed out next to the swordsman.
The night had been long, painful and full of heart-wrenching screams from their dearest friend and Porthos didn't think he had ever been as thankful to see the sunrise peaking through the trees as he was right now.
"Come on whelp you've gotta be exhausted," said Porthos, trying once again to get a response from the boy. Ever since Aramis's outburst hours earlier the Gascon had completely shut them out, focusing solely on Athos and nothing else, save for the one moment that gave Porthos hope which was when concern had briefly flashed across the boy's face as Aramis passed out.
Sighing Porthos forced himself up onto his feet, quietly telling the boy he was going to find out exactly what had happened and who shot their friend while D'Artagnan kept watch over the two sleeping musketeers.
At his words D'Artagnan seemed to freeze and Porthos knew that despite his emotionless façade, that he was torn between staying and taking care of Athos and finding out who caused this. "Stay whelp," smiled Porthos tiredly, "Look after 'im and I'll deal with this."
D'Artagnan nodded and resumed gently rubbing Aramis's special bruise balm into Athos's blackened wrists.
Watching the scene with a fond smile Porthos allowed himself one moment to relish in the knowledge that his family was still whole before he turned to the task at hand. Having been so focused on saving Athos none of them had even thought to learn the identity of the shooter. When they had met up with Blaise and Alain the day before both men had mentioned seeing Marcel out in the area so Porthos wasn't putting it passed the man to shoot at them as some means of revenge. It would have even made sense for him to shoot at Aramis as the marksman had lied to him in an effort to bring more armed musketeers to his doorstep.
They had all heard the shouts and anger from their comrades as they worked on Athos but again, the details as to who or what they were angry at refused to register.
Knowing there was no point trying to figure it out when getting the truth was simple enough Porthos made his way to where Henri and the others were set up, absently rubbing the growing bruise on his jaw from where Athos had hit him during his flailing.
"Henri?" Porthos called as he approached, confusion clear on his face as he watched the man give quiet instructions to a mounted Alain before the younger musketeer nodded, his face set in a serious but determined expression, and rode off.
"I've sent Alain back to Paris," explained Henri, rubbing his hand across his face in an attempt to rid himself of some tiredness. "With our injured growing Aramis is in no shape to handle them all, he's doing himself more harm than good so I've told Alain to bring Doctor Moreau and some additional men and supplies, with luck they should be with us in a couple of days."
Porthos nodded, pleased at the choice the musketeer had made, Alain, despite being one of the youngest, was an extremely able and fast rider and leaving as dawn hit would mean that, providing he rode hard and only stopped when absolutely necessary, that he could be in Paris by late this evening, which in turn meant that they could be back on the road the following morning.
"So how's Athos doing?" Henri asked as he passed the larger musketeer a bread roll, knowing the man hadn't eaten anything in hours. "Aramis is out like a light and none of you are freaking out so I'm guessing he's doing okay?"
Porthos almost wanted to snort at Henri's choice of words. Athos… any of them really were anything but okay, but he understood what his friend was asking. "Yeah, it was a long night but Aramis says if we can keep it infection free then he has a good chance of making a full recovery… Gonna be sore as hell and out of commission for a while but he'll be alive."
Henri nodded, his whole body sagging in relief before a snort of laughter escaped him, earning him a confused yet curious look from Porthos.
"Apologies my friend," said Henri once he had composed himself, "I was just thinking how much fun the three of you are going to have trying to keep Athos way from work."
Porthos blinked owlishly as he took in what was being said to him, seconds later a loud groan escaped the larger man as he realized what he and the others were in for. Athos, despite being big on not hiding injuries, cared very little for his own limits and had been known to, on more than one occasion, attempt his usual rigorous training regiment despite being seriously injured. He and Aramis had lost count of the amount of times they had to step in and tell their friend to rest, or to catch him when his legs gave out. Athos was much like their Gascon in his dislike of sitting in bed all day while recovering so handling this wound was going to be a challenge for all four of them while their regiment brothers no doubt had a good laugh at it all.
Henri laughed loudly at the groan that escaped Porthos, patting the man sympathetically on the back while he tried to contain himself.
"So what can I do for you?" he asked, his tone void of mirth. "No way you left both an unconscious Athos and Aramis given what's happened, not even to give us an update so what do you need?"
"The shooter," stated Porthos, watching with curiosity as Henri's face contorted with anger that seemed to be aimed at more than Athos's injury. "Did you capture them?
"Aye," nodded Henri through gritted teeth, "They're being held in the compound as we speak."
"Who are they?" Porthos asked, fighting back the urge to go and beat the living daylights out of them as he spoke. "One of Marcel or Daviau's men?"
"I wish," scoffed Issac who had stepped away from Favier's side to get something for the man to eat when he woke again.
"What?"
Henri sighed, knowing he couldn't in good conscious keep the information from Porthos or the others any longer, "Vivienne," he whispered, the name tasting like acid on his tongue making Porthos's eyes widen at his admission, "Vivienne fired the shot."
"What?" growled the larger musketeer, disbelief warring with anger as he thought back to the kindhearted woman who had been terrified at the act of killing and had helped him carry an immobile Athos to safety.
"Not without help though," scowled Issac as he poured some still warm broth into a bowl, "Durand played his part too."
"Durand? What does he have to do with it?"
"He told her," explained Henri making no attempt at hiding his disgust at the man's actions. "Told her about what happened between Aramis and Marsac."
Rage filled Porthos's entire being at that once sentence. "Where?" snarled the larger man, "Where is he?"
Issac and Henri shared a smirk as the former began making his way back to Favier, both men knew what was coming and neither would intervene. "The compound, Blaise is guarding him and Vivienne."
With a nod Porthos began storming off towards the compound, pausing briefly when Henri yelled for him to leave both of them alive at the very least.
Blaise was aware the instant Porthos entered the compound, the larger musketeer not caring if he slammed doors or made a lot of noise so deciding to intercept the man before he could hurt himself by taking out his anger on one of the compounds stone walls Blaise left the chair that had been his post for the last few hours.
"Porthos!" he called getting the musketeer's attention as the man started to go the wrong way. "Please tell me he didn't die," he said once Porthos was close enough for Blaise to see the pure fury emanating off of him.
The worry in Blaise's voice was enough to simmer some of Porthos's rage down as he confirmed that Athos was alive, barely but he was still alive.
Understanding flooded Blaise then as he realized why Porthos had come here, pointing to the room on his left he informed him that Vivienne was being held there whilst Durand was in the room on the right.
Choosing to deal with the person who had actually fired the shot first Porthos stormed though into the left hand room, successfully startling its occupant if the small scream that followed his entrance was anything to go by.
"P-Porthos," sobbed Vivienne as her body shook with fear at the fury on the musketeer's face. "I…I'm so so-sorry"
"Why?" growled Porthos, barely holding back his rage, as he remained indifferent to the woman's tears. The only thing preventing him hitting her was her gender and both of them knew it.
Vivienne's sobs made it difficult for her to speak, her mouth opening and closing several times as she desperately tried to find the words.
"Aramis is you friend!" roared Porthos, his fist hitting the stone wall hard in his anger, making Vivienne squeak in fear. "He got involved in this whole mess to save you! He ran out of the garrison without sufficient back up and without telling anyone where he was going because you were in danger and you pay him back by trying to kill him?!"
The guilt his words caused within her ignited Vivienne's anger, "He murdered my brother!" she spat viciously
"And he has spent every single second after that drowning under the guilt of it all!"
"So he should! He made it so I'm all alone in the world, he took my family from me, he should suffer!"
Porthos's cold chuckle surprised Vivienne enough that she fell silent, though she wasn't expecting the eerily calm words that followed.
"You were never alone Vivienne. The musketeers are a brotherhood, we protect our own, had you asked for it any number of musketeers would have leapt up to help you. You took your own family away. Marsac was about to kill our Captain for doing his damn job so Aramis did what was needed. Did it kill him to do it? Hell yes but we would take it over losing Treville any day. Your brother left Aramis to die in Savoy, left him alone to deal with the horrific, crippling nightmares that followed and you honestly expect us to chose him over a Captain that led the rescue and stayed by Aramis's side for weeks on end as he healed?"
Vivienne could say nothing in response as the tears started up again.
Once again ignoring the sobbing mess of a woman in front of him Porthos added, with a coldness almost unheard of in the musketeer's voice, "I don't know what Treville and Aramis will do with you but if you even think of using my friend's guilt over what happened to your brother to have him influence the Captain for a lighter punishment then being a woman will not protect you from me."