Hey there,
I am back with the next chapter.
Thank you for still reading my story and your lovely and kind comments.
I dedicate this chapter to Mountain Cat. Happy belated birthday to you and thank you so much for your ideas. A massive thank you goes out to Tricia as well who has put in several hours of her precious time in this chapter again to proofread it. All remaining mistakes are mine not hers!
To be honest without the both of you I would have already given up on this story. So thank you xx
I want to thank those of you who left an encouraging, supportive and kind review as well. Due to the fact that I have no idea if my pms have reached you, I will do it here.
Barbara:
"Another excellent chapter. It's good to have Athos more like his old self but he still has a long way to go. And is Treville's hand ok after he banged it do hard on the table? Poor man xx"
Thank you for your kind words, Barbara. Yes Athos finally starts to get better. Well, I hope so … ;-). Tréville's hand should be alright. xx Kira
Debbie:
"I actually enjoy Treville treating Athos like a son. On the show you knew he favored the inseparables and d'Art but he always tried not to show it outwardly, so your portrayal is a nice change.
And I do hope Lemay's words have helped Athos. At least the man knows that his arm could possibly return back to normal. Then Athos tries to tell Aramis that he was afraid that he's let it slip out about the marksman's tryst with the queen. I think that should be the last thing on the man's mind.
Oh Dona Ynes-Mancia is a piece of work. I won't tell you what type of *piece* I think she is, but you get the general gist of it. She had to see the dead with her own eyes and a threat of the Bastille to make her finally talk and I do hope it's the truth."
Thank you so much Debbie. I am glad that you like my characterization of Athos and Tréville. I think Lemay's words have helped Athos. About Athos worrying about Aramis and if he had somehow give away the secret … well, you know Athos. He always puts his friends first, even if he feels miserable. Oh, yes Ynes-Mancía is a very self-centered and selfish person. I don't like her at all … xx Kira
Mountain Cat:
""Everything and nothing." Nice way to talk in riddles Captain."
Thank you MC. Lol yes "everything and nothing" … he knows a lot by now, but he needs to talk to Athos first. He doesn't want to accuse someone before he doesn't have enough evidence. They will come to this "everything and nothing" later. Promise! xx Kira
pallysd'Artagnan:
"Athos is starting to feel a tad bit better yesssss.. Yet we dont know why that freakin nut cake went went after Athos in the first place hope Treville throws her deep down in Bastille when he finds out the reason .."
Thank you so much Pally. Lol your was the first review that came through to me via an email.
Oh yes, Athos feels better, but is he already better …
The plot is complicated but they will figure it out.
I am afraid but I think Tréville cannot throw her in the Bastille … the Queen will intervene. She is her cousin … xx Kira
Pippa19:
"I hate that Donna girl! Athos seems to be recovering well for now. Love him and Aramis together."
Thank you for your review, Pippa. Oh yes Dona Ynes is a nasty person. Athos is on the mend … I think … Glad you liked the part between Athos and Aramis. There will be more talk between them. xx Kira
Buckeye01
"Ooooh, I love an angry Papa Treville! Can't wait for more!"
Thank you for your kind words, Buckeye. I love Tréville in an angry mode too as long as our favourite Musketeers don't have to deal with his anger. xx Kira
Greenlips24
"It took some doing, getting Dona-Ynes to talk but her will is broken now and Treville will finally have the missing piece of this puzzle. Good tension - I wanted to shake her!"
Thank you for your review, Greenlips. Yes, Tréville needed to show her the dead men, before Ynes-Mancía finally started to talk. Glad you liked the tension I tried to build up. More between Dona Ynes and Tréville will be in ch 44. xx Kira
vmariew:
"It has been a long road for poor Athos but at last there are clear signs of recovery, including feeling in his fingers! A worrying moment or two for him when he fears that he has betrayed Aramis but is reasonably reassured. Sleep has been of benefit for them all to face the next hurdle ie to question their prisoner and at last get to the truth that has evaded them on this rollercoaster of a journey. Perhaps now the tide is turning for them all. Oops, apologies for mixing the metaphors there! I look forward to the next chapter in the midst of your other work."
Thank you so much for your review, V. Yes, Athos should be now on the road to recovery … Love your mixing of metaphors ;-) xx Kira
More guessing is going on in this chapter, including a flashback that might reveal some important facts why Athos had been attacked.
Enjoy
xx Kira
Chapter 43
"Has he been awake?"
Porthos whispered quietly, after entering the infirmary and greeting his brothers, still fearing that Athos would be mad with him because of what had occurred during the night. When Dona Ynes-Mancía had asked him to leave he hadn't been unhappy about that fact. He wanted to know how Athos was doing and he needed a moment on his own with him to clear the air.
"No, he is still hibernating like a hedgehog." Aramis answered him, sensing that Porthos wanted to talk to Athos in private. He smiled at him while his eyes told Porthos to stop worrying about last night.
"Even the cool cloth we are changing permanently on his upper arm doesn't seem to bother or wake him." D'Artagnan added. His voice told Porthos enough. The young man hoped that his mentor would finally waken up and open his eyes.
"Any luck with Dona Ynes-Mancía?" Aramis wondered, while busying himself with putting a new cold, wet cloth on Athos' still swollen arm, gently wrapping it around the damaged skin.
"She didn't want to talk when she found out that I killed Juan." Porthos quietly told them. "That's why I returned early. I hope that she will now finally shed some light into the darkness and we can figure out who is behind all of this."
He pointed a little helplessly to their sleeping fourth, then he stretched his arms and walked over to a chair, where he dropped down, reluctantly removing his weapon belt and tossing it onto the floor.
"Not so loud." Aramis chided him.
"I thought hibernating animals don't wake up from loud sounds." Porthos said with a short snort needing this kind of banter right now to ease the tension.
"I think Tréville knows more than he is letting on. But why?" D'Artagnan asked.
The young man was sitting on a bed next to Athos'. He had encircled one bent leg with both of his arms, while his injured leg was hanging over the corner of the bed not touching the floor. His chin rested on his good knee.
"Of course Tréville knows more." Aramis answered him thoughtfully. "Maybe he still hasn't gathered enough evidence yet to make any accusation that's why he is waiting to inform us about his thoughts." He mused aloud.
Porthos nodded towards him:
"I got the impression that this Dona Ynes-Mancía was in love with Juan." Porthos mumbled.
"What makes you think that?" Aramis asked curiously.
"She fainted after Tréville showed her his dead body."
"Woah!" Aramis exclaimed. "That's not like Tréville, confronting a woman with a dead corpse. Perhaps she was simply shocked seeing a dead man for the first time. She is a noblewoman." Aramis answered.
"She stayed calm seeing her dead uncle. No, there was more between her and this Juan. Believe me, Tréville had no other choice. She refused to talk to us and we are running out of options. With Don Fernando dead the leads as to who is behind the attack on Athos' life are vanishing further." Porthos explained Tréville's behaviour.
"I thought Dona Ynes-Mancía has a fiancé. From what I have heard they were on their way to Italy where she should marry an Italian nobleman." D'Artagnan interrupted him.
"Let me guess - with an important title, wealth and power." Aramis turned his head towards their youngest member, who only shrugged.
"But what has this to do with the fact that Don Fernando ordered the assault on Athos? And why had Juan risked his life to try it again, when Don Fernando's hired assassins failed the first time?" Porthos asked, confused.
"Maybe it has to do with Athos' former life as the Comte de la Fère. Perhaps he knows something about the Italian nobleman ..." Aramis mused.
"Don't you think he would have already told us if he knew Don Fernando or this fiancé?" D'Artagnan shook unbelievingly his head. "I doubt that Athos' former life as a Comte has to do anything with this. If I had to guess it must have to do something with this stupid letter he was to bring to or back from Château de Fontainebleau." he added.
"Maybe he overheard a plot to murder someone? Maybe Spain has planned an assault on King Louis' life?" Porthos suggested still not convinced about the other theories.
"Believe me, Athos would have told us that." Aramis disagreed with him.
"And what if his confused mind simply couldn't remember. Blood loss can lead to forgetting things." Porthos argued.
"No, he has remembered other things. He even could tell me more about the letter. Believe me, there is something else going on." Aramis stepped away from Athos' side to put down the now warm bandages.
"I don't understand it. We have to ask Athos or even better the Captain. He knows more. I wonder why he hasn't already shared his theory with us?"
D'Artagnan carefully sat up from his bed, moved over to the corner and made his way to the small stool on Athos' left side. Sitting down with a suppressed whimper, he gently laid his hand on Athos' good shoulder, searching his friend's face for any sign that indicate that he would wake soon.
"Why do I have the feeling that the Cardinal is somehow involved in this whole plot?" Porthos asked suddenly into the awkward silence which had occurred when d'Artagnan had shifted his position.
"Because it was him who gave Tréville the order that only one of us would be needed to deliver the missive." Aramis answered slowly, pulling his hand through his thick brown hair and resting his aching head for several seconds in his palms.
"Don Fernando, Juan, Dona Ynes-Mancía, an Italian fiancé, the Cardinal … I cannot see the connection." Porthos shook his head and started to pace from one corner of the room to the other.
"There had to be another letter." D'Artagnan said in a firm tone.
"Gauthier told me earlier that the letter Athos was to bring back to the palace and which mysteriously ended up with the Queen was only a formal letter. Dona Ynes-Mancía was thanking the Queen for the invitation, but apologising as well, because she wouldn't be able to attend her party." Aramis informed his brothers.
"And you are telling this us now?" Porthos shook his head, unbelievingly.
"He told me while you were gone." Aramis explained.
"Does the Captain know?" D'Artagnan asked.
"Yes, Gauthier has filled him in on the whole story which took place at the palace. A stranger, most probable a woman, brought the letter -which had Athos' blood on it- to the palace." Aramis quietly started to report the whole story, but was interrupted.
"A woman?" D'Artagnan and Porthos asked in unison.
"Do you know her name? Was it Dona Ynes-Mancía?" D'Artagnan asked curiously while Porthos asked simultaneously:
"Are you sure it was the letter that Athos was to take back? And who delivered it?"
"That's what Gauthier has heard. I have no idea who this woman … this person who brought the letter was. Let me continue …" Aramis answered them and the two Musketeers remained silent for the rest of his report.
"So Dona Ynes-Mancía was simply excusing herself that she wouldn't be able from attending the Queen's party and because of this message Athos was shot at and nearly died?" Porthos angrily shook his head after Aramis had finished his report.
"I'm sorry I don't know more details. Maybe you are right, Porthos. Perhaps the link is Spain and Athos being injured has nothing to do with the letter at all." Aramis mumbled. "Perhaps the Queen tried to reach out to her brother secretly. The fact that Cardinal Richelieu had engaged an assassin to kill her, has shaken her deeply."
Aramis stood up and walked over to a window to open it and let some fresh air into the humid infirmary, making sure that his brothers wouldn't see the concern on his face while thinking about the pregnant Queen.
"You really think she wants to leave France?" D'Artagnan wondered aloud.
"She has no reason to do so. She is pregnant with the heir to France." Porthos said gazing at Aramis, who still looked out of the open window and breathed in the fresh warm air.
"Only if her child will be a boy." Aramis interjected turning round to his friends, his glance resting on Athos. "She has tried for many years to become pregnant. Even lost a child." Aramis voice was filled with compassion. "What if she has a girl? Maybe she fears for her own life and that of her unborn child"
"Don't be ridiculous, Aramis." Porthos snorted. "She is with child. It would be different if she wasn't with child right now or if the child was not the King's, but I believe those holy waters helped her to get finally pregnant." the streetfighter told him.
Aramis paled suddenly, swayed dangerously and took some unsteady steps forward. Porthos who noticed that Aramis wasn't well, launched forward and steadied his brother with his strong arms, leading him carefully to the next chair and helping him to sit down.
"Easy, my friend. It's enough that Athos is collapsing lately so often, no need for you to follow his example." he chided him. "You should take it easy for a while and lie down again. Your head was hit hard.
"I am fine." Aramis gasped not noticing how d'Artagnan and Porthos both shook their heads at his statement, not believing a word of what he just told them. His pale face testified to the contrary.
"Alright, let's assume that Queen Anne really wanted to contact her brother in Spain. Wouldn't it be much easier for her to send one of her ladies-in-waiting - most of them are from Spain- to the Spanish ambassador here in Paris? It would be less complicated than to contact this Don Fernando." D'Artagnan explained.
"You are right." Aramis mumbled, still pale around his nose.
"But why would the Cardinal want to see Athos dead?" Porthos asked while searching in the room for something to eat. When he spotted a plate with some fresh bread and cheese he walked over and started to eat.
"I … threatened … him …"
Athos answered, barely audible, his voice rough, his eyes still closed. He had woken several minutes earlier, when he had felt d'Artagnan's hand on his shoulder. It had taken him awhile to clear the cobwebs from his mind.
At first he had only heard scraps of conversation, but soon he had followed their conversation as they guessed who was behind the attack on his life. That the Cardinal was somehow involved made sense to Athos, but he couldn't come up with a logical reason or explanation. When Porthos nearly found out about Aramis' secret he had caught his breath.
He needed to have an explanation for his friends as to why the Cardinal wanted to see him dead, even if he had still no clue how the Cardinal would have known which of his Musketeers Tréville would have sent to Château de Fontainebleau. What kind of game was Richelieu playing again and why did he felt like a pawn being moved forward and backward on a chess board in order to protect a more important figure?
Feverishly he thought about an answer that would distract his friends from the topic of Queen Anne and her unborn child. It took him several more minutes but finally he knew what he could tell his brothers. He still wasn't sure what role the Cardinal had played by the attack on his life, but Tréville had asked him the same question last night so that he was sure that his Captain assumed that the Cardinal was behind everything.
A heavy silence settled in the room after Athos had spoken the three words. Now three pairs of brown eyes stared at him. Athos' face was still pale, he looked worn out and his curly hair was ruffled. Aramis was the first to react while Athos' eyes still stayed closed.
"Who?" Aramis asked, a little confused.
"The Cardinal … maybe … he fears …" Athos sluggishly opened his eyes and turned his head towards Aramis, whose hand had found its way back into Athos' hair, stroking it gently.
"What are … you … doing …?" Athos mumbled.
"Discussing who has done this to you, mon ami, so that we can protect you from further harm." Aramis explained softly, wondering how much Athos had heard of their talk.
"I know that … No … your hand …" Athos tried to glare angrily at Aramis, but failed when another sharp pain in his leg left him breathless and made him struggle for air.
"I am trying to comfort you,mon ami."Aramis sighed, but not letting go of Athos' hair, continuing to massage his friend's scalp gently until he had calmed down again. He then removed his hand, knowing that Athos wanted to have more space for himself.
"Water …?"
Athos whispered and this time it was Porthos, who stepped up to his left side, gave the cup into d'Artagnan's hands, who then helped Athos to take some sips.
"Better?" Porthos asked from the background and Athos nodded sluggishly. For a moment their eyes met and Athos noticed the guilty look on his brother's face. He frowned:
"Porthos?" he asked quietly with a questioning look on his face.
"You want more water?" Porthos tried to ignore Athos' scrutiny. The swordsman could read him so easily.
"Any chance of a cup of wine?" Athos replied not looking away from Porthos' dark eyes, sensing that his brother wanted to say something, but only to him.
"Not for the next few days." Aramis chided him from the other side. "So, why would the Cardinal want to see you dead? What do you think the Cardinal fears?"
Aramis asked with his calm voice sensing that Porthos and Athos needed to talk about what had happened the previous evening. However, he didn't want to wait another several hours before he would have a chance to ask Athos again. Now his friend was awake. Now he could give them all some needed answers and he had started to talk about it and so Aramis pressed on.
"It's nothing … I might be wrong …" Athos evaded Aramis' unwavering gaze and yawned triedly.
"Tell us about it and let us be the judge if it could be a reason for the Cardinal to give the order to kill you." Aramis intervened. His voice now louder and more demanding than earlier. "How did you threaten him? Why? When?" he repeated the questions.
"The more I think about it, the more I doubt that …"
"Athos!" Porthos looked at his ailing friend. "Why don't you simply start from the beginning?"
"Aramis is right. Let's hear your story and then we can all decide if this would be a reason for the Cardinal to order an attack on you." D'Artagnan gently added.
"Very well." Athos sighed. "I had an encounter with him several days ago and it was not a friendly encounter." He added.
"What happened? Start from the beginning." Aramis encouraged him, while helping his friend to drink some more water first. Athos thanked the medic with a grateful gesture that he could put the cup away again, then he cleared his throat and started from the beginning, while his friends were listening to his weak but calm voice.
XXXXX
Flashback - Several days ago
Athos was in a bad mood. If he had to blame someone, he would have named Aramis. The whole afternoon he had had palace guard with him and on their way back to the garrison the medic had tried to sneak into the Queen's quarters to find a moment in private to chat with the Queen.
"Aramis! What are you doing? You know that it endangers her, you, me …" he had angrily shouted at him, after he had dragged him out of the palace followed by some curious glances from some servants and ladies-in-waiting.
"Leave me alone." Aramis had angrily answered and then returned to his horse. For a moment Athos had considered following him on Roger back to the garrison, but then he decided it would be better to calm down and so he had set off in the direction of the Jardin du Luxembourg to clear his head. He had left Roger near to the entrance and strolled through the large garden. He passed a spot where he used to play tennis with Porthos sometimes. Next to him was a fountain with bubbling water, and in the distance he could hear a metallic noise. He knew this sound: swords clashing together.
Curious and still thinking about what he could do to stop his enamoured friend from doing something stupid he walked towards the sound. The nearer he came, he could see that a fight was going on. Two young Musketeers were having a duel with four Red Guards, two of them were already lying wounded on the sandy ground.
This can't be true. Tréville has forbidden us any kind of duel. When he finds out ... Am I surrounded by fools lately?
But the worst was still to come. Before Athos could reach the two young Musketeers, who had been commissioned by the King one year ago, several riders approached the fighters at a fast gallop. More Red Guards caught the two men off guard, quickly disarmed them with fast moves and arrested them, so that they were now lying next to each other on the dusty ground. A man wearing black clothes dismounted his horse: the Cardinal.
Athos knew that he had to act fast or their regiment would have to deal with two Musketeers who would be publicly hanged. Something which would fall back on Tréville and would weaken his position as a Captain for his men and at Court. He was sure that the Cardinal would be delighted to tell the King, while Tréville was with them, that he hadn't his soldiers under control.
"What have we here?" he heard Richelieu's loud voice, looking down at the two men, who were still lying on the floor - two Red Guards were sitting on them. "Haven't you heard that dueling is forbidden by the order of the King? You know what that means." He grinned, then he shouted to his Red Guards: "Bring them both to the Châtelet and inform the Captain of the Musketeers." Then he looked down at the injured men and pointed at them "And make sure that you bandage their wounds, they are spilling their blood everywhere." Disgusted he looked away. The Cardinal turned his head around when he heard Athos' rapid footsteps approaching. "Oh, look who comes here." He shouted with a snort.
"Cardinal. I am sorry to interrupt you, but can we have a word in private?" Athos politely asked, his voice calm, his eyes fixed on Richelieu's.
"I don't have time now. As you can see, two of your men have defied the King's order. Dueling is forbidden and must be punished immediately.
"I am convinced that this is all a huge misunderstanding." Athos looked down at the two Musketeers, then he looked back to the Cardinal and made a sign asking him to step several paces away so that the other Red Guards couldn't hear them talking.
The Cardinal ignored him.
"With all due respect, it would be better if we could clear this misunderstanding up here and now." Athos said, still in a calm voice, but his eyes told the Cardinal that he wouldn't allow him to walk away from this.
"What is it what you want from me?" Richelieu felt that Athos was going to say something he wouldn't want his men to hear and so he followed Athos as they both walked several steps away.
"Let them go. Talk to your Red Guards and make sure that they say this was a training exercise here in the Jardin du Luxembourg, not a duel." Athos demanded, as if he had the power to order such a thing.
"Why should I do that?" Richelieu mocked him.
"I am sure that my men were provoked by your men. Do you want us investigating and accusing your men, so that they will end with the death penalty instead?" Athos answered calmly.
"I don't see this happening." Richelieu laughed aloud. "There are only two Musketeers and four - no wait - ten Red Guards. They will all be able to testify against your men, Lieutenant."
"And what if your men challenged ours in a tavern and other men have overheard it? Why do you think I have turned up here?" Athos interupted, hoping that his bluff would work.
"They wouldn't dare to talk against my Red Guards." Richelieu stepped away from Athos, ready to give the Red Guards orders to take the two arrested Musketeers away.
"I am still convinced that this is a misunderstanding." Athos stated firmly. His voice still calm, he continued. "Or would you like me to talk to King Louis about your orders regarding a female assassin, ordering …"
"Be quiet." Richelieu paled and turned angrily around. "Are you threatening me, Athos of the Musketeers?" He observed Athos' expression with his grey eyes.
The young Musketeer's Lieutenant only repeated.
"I would never do that, your eminence." Athos said firmly. "Nevertheless, I'm sure that is a huge misunderstanding. This was a training exercise. I came here to check on how the training between our two regiments worked out." Athos bowed his head slightly.
Richelieu waited for several seconds. He knew Athos very well. The Lieutenant was a capable Musketeer and a loyal officer. His admiration for his Captain would even encourage him to threaten him with informing the King about his plan in ordering the assassination of the Queen - if only to protect Tréville from the public execution of two of his Musketeers.
"A training exercise … you might be right …" Richelieu breathed heavily through his nose. Then he turned around to his Red Guards: "Let them go - it was a misunderstanding."
Confused, the Red Guards followed the Cardinal's order. The two young Musketeers were freed. A little unsteady they stood up and looked for their swords, which were lying nearby. Athos gave them a sign to follow him. Richelieu walked over to his horse and mounted.
Without looking back, Athos walked away from the Cardinal and his soldiers, the two young men following in his wake, matching his rapid pace. When the first Musketeer dared to open his mouth to speak Athos said in a low but deadly voice: "Not a word, not a damn word! Not to the Captain, not to any other Musketeer. You will come to me tomorrow morning and I will give you an extra task."
XXXXX
Infirmary, present time
"Richelieu could have taken my words as a threat." Athos finished his report. Of course, he had left out why he had been so mad with Aramis. "It's only … a guess … I …" Athos gasped feeling the throbbing wound on his arm. "I could be wrong …" he slurred.
"Are you nuts?" Aramis shouted suddenly. "He is dangerous and powerful! Your words were a threat! If Richelieu fears that you could be a threat to his power, he is more than capable of ordering your …" Aramis put his face in his hands again, feeling his head throbbing more and more.
"Aramis!" Porthos chided him. "Not now! He's in no condition for this. Can't you see he's still in pain?" Porthos stood up and moved closer to his ailing brother, suddenly feeling the need to protect Athos from any further agitation.
Athos moaned aloud when he felt his body trembling slightly. That his brothers had started to argue because of his explanation wasn't what he had intended and, if he had to be honest, he doubted that his words had threatened the Cardinal so badly, that he had ordered an attempt on his life.
Milady had left Paris, the Queen was with child. France would most probable have an heir to the throne in several months. These were the things that mattered to the Cardinal - not a single Musketeer who told him that he knew about a woman who had been in his service. For the Cardinal only France, power and safety mattered and Athos was no threat to this but served the King loyally and Richelieu knew that. Or was he wrong? Had he misjudged his words and was this the revenge of the Cardinal? Ninon had once warned him of the Cardinal. Were Tréville and Aramis right?
His head started to throb while he wondered anew if the Cardinal had ordered an attack on his life. He thought hard about it but couldn't find an answer as to the why. Something didn't fit and his aching head didn't help him to think clearly. His eyes wandered over to Porthos, who had helped him to avoid going into any further detail and they rested on his brother's face. His eyes looked sadly at him, filled with guilt.
"Pain potion?" Aramis asked feeling horrible that he might have upset Athos with his words.
"No." Athos shook his head exhausted. Their eyes locked for a moment and Aramis could see the confusion in them. Finally, Athos' green eyes wandered back to Porthos. "Tell me … what is … it …?" he asked reaching for Porthos with his left hand, but he couldn't reach him. It landed on d'Artagnan's knee instead, who pressed it gently.
"Nothing. It can wait. Pain potion and more sleep and no wine it is for now!" Porthos said in an earnest tone.
"Porthos?" Athos tried again.
"Come, d'Artagnan. We will go and ask for some more broth." Aramis gave d'Artagnan a sign.
"Why? There is still enough broth for …"
D'Artagnan tried to protest still looking at his ailing brother and not towards Aramis, who tried to give him a discreet sign to give Athos and Porthos some time to talk on their own.
"It's cold." Aramis said. "Now, come, I will need your help."
He ordered in a firm voice and d'Artagnan followed him reluctantly. After Aramis had closed the door behind them, an awkward silence settled between Porthos and Athos.
"Well?" Athos tried again after waiting several minutes, while Porthos had started to walk around the infirmary until he found the perfect spot at a window and stared outside into the courtyard, observing young recruits at their training session and realising that it was another beautiful, warm day.
"Well, what? You should close your eyes and sleep again. Your body needs rest." Porthos said not turning around.
"I will rest when we have talked. What is bothering you? I can see it in your eyes - something is wrong." Athos told him quietly.
Porthos didn't move, but continued to look out of the window, staring into the blue sky. He waited several seconds, then he sighed and walked back to Athos' left side, sat on the stool and observed his brother's red rimmed eyes closely.
Athos stayed silent, waiting for Porthos to begin. Another sigh escaped Porthos' lips and then he put his warm hand on Athos' shoulder like d'Artagnan had done minutes earlier. Athos didn't evade his touch, but accepted it.
"I have to apologise." Porthos told him in a firm voice, locking eyes with his still weak brother.
"Why?" Athos frowned.
"I lost it last night. Have you already forgotten that I shouted at you? I shouldn't … I nearly made you leave your bed …" Porthos felt moisture gathering in his eyes.
"I scared myself and you …" Athos answered, barely audible. "You have no reason to apologise. On the contrary, it is I who should apologise, Porthos." Athos looked with a pained expression into Porthos' teary eyes.
"Don't do this ever again to me … to us …" Porthos breathed out aloud. "Do you hear me? Don't ever tell me you wish to die. I don't want to lose you, I will always fight for you, because you are my friend, my brother and I need you." Porthos whispered.
"I cannot promise you this …" Athos mumbled, his voice trembling slightly.
"Why can't you accept that you are loved Athos? That we need you? That we will never give you up and help you?"
"I …" Athos started, but then he didn't know what to say, because Porthos bent carefully over him and gently lifted him up while pulling him into a strong embrace. Athos accepted his brother's bear hug, suddenly feeling how much he still needed his brother's comfort.
"Thank you for saving my life." Athos whispered, unable to hold his own tears at bay any longer.
"You would have done the very same for me." Porthos spoke softly into his friend's ear. He felt him tremble a little and decided it was time to help him back onto his soft pillow again.
"True." Athos mumbled, exhausted.
"Are we good?" Porthos asked while he gently wiped Athos' tears from his face.
"Of course we are."
A soft smile briefly appeared on Athos' lips, but the small gesture meant the world to Porthos.
"So you won't use those words ever again?" Porthos asked Athos with a raised eyebrow.
"As long as my mind is not clouded by this stupid pain potion. It makes my head fuzzy and I cannot think clearly enough. I freaked out yesterday." Athos stated matter of factly.
"I would have done the same." Porthos mumbled.
"Even though Tréville and the doctor have told me that the chances are good that I'll be able to use my arm as before the attack … there's still a chance that it won't heal properly. I know that …" Athos admitted. "And it scares me." Saying these last words, his voice nearly broke.
"I will help you to pull through this. I promise you Athos, I won't let you down."
"I know … like you didn't leave me the past two days, even when I shouted at you to leave me alone. You saved me from myself."
"You can be a stubborn mule sometimes." Porthos snorted.
"Forgive me my indulgence." Athos answered him in a mocking tone.
"I will do my best." Porthos laughed and wiped his own tears away. "You look exhausted Athos, you should sleep."
"I can't. Not now."
"Alright, if you are still up to talking with me, we will have that talk." Porthos prepared himself.
"Very well, go ahead." Athos told him.
"Whatever it is that is between Aramis and you. Fix it! Sooner rather than later. It only endangers the both of you, and us, this way."
"I've already talked to Aramis and we will find a way. Promise. Do you need to know why? …" Athos started carefully.
"Nah, it's good enough to have your word on it. Besides if I have to guess, it is about a woman. With Aramis, it's always about a woman …" Porthos snorted.
Relieved, Athos nodded, thus signaling to Porthos that he assumed right, without actually lying to him. If he had to be honest with himself, if Porthos had asked him outright what was really going on between the both of them, he would have told him the whole truth without a second thought. In the past two days, Porthos had saved his life more than once, and he knew that he would keep this secret, but he knew that one day, it would be Aramis' duty to tell Porthos and not his. That much he owed his other brother.
"Is that all?" Athos asked.
"No, I have only started." Porthos told him.
"What's next?" Athos looked curiously at him. "Do you want to rebuke me because of my words to the Cardinal?"
"That probably too." Porthos sighed. "Athos, I cannot change you and I won't try, but I strongly advise you to tell d'Artagnan about your arm. I mean the whole story …"
"You mean that Juan used d'Artagnan's main-gauche?" Athos mumbled. "I want to spare him that. It was not his fault. If he hadn't had that weapon, he would have used another." Athos yawned tiredly.
"Imagine if d'Artagnan found out on his own, one day. He would be disappointed. Tell him, as soon as you are better, sit down with him and talk to him. He has to know."
"You are right, Porthos. I would want to know if I were him and, to be honest, I doubt that I would have had that much power if I hadn't feared for d'Artagnan's life. It might sound ironic, but the fact that Juan used d'Artagnan's dagger made me fight for my life." Athos mumbled.
"Good! Tell him exactly that and punish him afterwards with one week's stable duty. He would expect nothing less."
"Two weeks?" Athos responded.
"Nah … two weeks will be for climbing on the tree and scaring an owl to death."
Porthos chuckled. He gently pressed his brother's shoulder, seeing the obvious signs that Athos was fighting to keep his eyes open. He stood up and reached for a cup with pain potion.
"Do I really have to?" Athos mumbled.
"You do know that you are the most stubborn patient I have ever had to deal with?"
"I thought Aramis was much worse than me. Athos tried to defend himself, accepting the bitter liquid. After finishing the whole cup he closed his eyes, exhausted.
"Porthos?" he mumbled sluggishly.
"Hmm …?" the big man asked.
"Thank ... you … for … everything ..." Athos slurred as his tired mind drifted off again.
Porthos sighed. Relieved, he removed the cup from Athos' left hand, put it away and tucked his friend into his blanket.
"No, Athos, thank you for asking." The streetfighter whispered quietly into his friend's ear, while a single tear ran over his left cheek.
To be continued …
