Evening My Lovelies
Took a couple of rewriting attempts but I'm finally happy with how this turned out :D
Notes On Reviews:
pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Yeah Treville's patience was already gone then they asked all those questions, it was only a matter of time before he snapped :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - They're getting there, it's going to take a bit but they'll get there :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - He might, then again he does have the King wrapped around his little finger so who knows :) I'm planning some evil ways for Rochey to get his comeuppance so don't worry about that :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Anne is definitely on both Treville's and Aramis's side through all of this, though that might only serve to further anger Rochey. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Forty-Three: Day Two…
Fury and outrage were coursing through his veins as he stormed through the garrison gates, his mind so focused on his destination he barely noticed the concerned looks he was receiving. When he arrived Porthos threw open the door to Treville's office with such force it shook and knocked over several items on the shelf next to it, though he paid it little mind as he locked eyes with his Captain. "You need to do something!"
"By all means, Porthos," grumbled Treville with no small amount of sarcasm lacing his voice, "Come on in." He had intended to say more but was cut off by a wince of pain as his numerous back injuries flared up when he tried to gesture to his office door. The man was quick to hide the signs of pain however as he didn't want word to get back to the garrison's physicians as he knew if it did he would never hear the end of it. Both men had been adamant that he shouldn't be up working in his office so soon after having been injured but Treville own stubbornness coupled with the reminder that they had a very limited time frame in which to save Aramis's life worked to placate the two, although he doubted they would stay silent if word of his pain reached them and they couldn't handle any sort of delay right now.
Trying again Porthos took several steps forward, ending just before the man's desk, desperation filling both his voice and expression as he looked, pleadingly at his Captain, "You need to do something!"
Sighing Treville reached across his desk to pour out two glasses of brandy, nodding once at the second glass before picking up and downing the first. "Porthos there is nothing I can do. It took what pull I had left with the King to get you and the others off… I'm not giving up but I don't know what I can do what will persuade the King to change his mind, not when he has Rochefort whispering in his ear."
That had been a true kick to the man's teeth once word had reached the regiment by a friendly palace servant that aside from some loud words nothing had been done to truly punish Rochefort for what he had done to Treville. While it shouldn't have come as such a surprise it had hurt Treville more than he expected to hear the young King he had mentored and watched grow up had all but condoned his torture.
With his anger slowly calming Porthos was finally able to notice the clear signs of exhaustion lining his friend's face and that alone was enough to make him feel horrid as guilt and shame flooded his system. He had, in his darkest moments, blamed Treville for not protecting or fighting harder for Aramis's life even though he knew the man well enough to know fighting had been all Treville had likely been doing since the threat to Aramis's life came to light. It was clear the Captain hadn't slept much since the first letter arrived and had probably slept less since the second became common knowledge… not that he had managed much of it himself but he had still forced himself to get a few brief hours, knowing full well the lecture he would signing himself up for from Aramis when they proved his innocence if he didn't.
"They won't let me see him."
Seeing Treville's eyebrows rise in silent question Porthos slumped down in the chair opposite his friend, downing the glass of alcohol before him. "I went to the prison they're keeping him in."
Understanding flooded Treville's expression then and his entire countenance softened. "Porthos…"
"Rochefort has his red guards there," continued the larger musketeer, too lost in thought to notice the worried look that crossed Treville's face at the news. "They laughed at me when I requested to see him."
"I'm assuming that's what led to that," commented Treville dryly as he gestured to the black eye the musketeer was now sporting.
"They may have said some other things as well," answered Porthos with a shrug before he poured both himself and Treville another hearty helping of brandy.
"Getting arrested yourself isn't going to be of any help to Aramis," reminded Treville soothingly, though he couldn't hide the small glimmer of pride in his eyes at Porthos's protective nature.
With a sigh Porthos sunk lower into his chair, slowly sipping his drink. "Anything from Favier and D'Artagnan?" he asked hesitantly, desperate for some news from his absent brother, both in response to Aramis's coming trial and to simply know the boy was okay.
"Nothing," admitted Treville solemnly, "I've sent word to the village but there's no guarantee they are even still there."
Porthos grumbled lightly under his breath, hating that he had no idea where his hot-headed younger brother was, nor what sort of trouble he could be finding. Deciding to try and take his mind off of the scenarios now playing through his head he instead asked after Athos, having left the swordsman in the physician's hands to go and visit Aramis.
This enquiry brought a smirk to Treville's face, "Complaining relentlessly at not being allowed out of the infirmary so I think that's a good sign."
Chuckling Porthos nodded, "I'll go see him, he'll be going mad not knowing what's going on."
"I'll do what I can about setting up a visit to Aramis," promised Treville as he rose to see the man out, pausing a few feet from the door when a thought hit him. "Porthos," he called gently, causing the man to pause with one hand on the door, "You and Athos seem pretty certain D'Artagnan will pull through in time…"
Smiling faintly Porthos nodded once, "He's not let us down yet."
