Evening My Lovelies

Sorry if this comes across a little rushed, I got a bit absorbed in reading a new fic I found and completely lost track of time leaving me very little time to get this done if I wanted it up tonight, which I did :D

Notes On Reviews:

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Oh yeah Rochey definitely suffered at least a bit in that explosion :) I'm going to be a bit evil and leave you waiting on the D'Art front as we're with Porthos tonight :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it :) I remembered during the whole Vadim thing that he had trapped the door to ignite the other fuses if D'Art managed to escape and decided to try and use it here. Rochey definitely suffered in that explosion, not enough in my mind but its just the start of what's coming to him :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

theredwagon: Thanks for the review - Ask and ye shall receive my friend :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked the plan, I think Athos is going to be very proud of his protege when they all reunite (which is happening very soon I'm so excited!) Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Oh yeah Rochey's not happy and D'Art will pay for it but it was kinda worth it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yes! I'm really glad you liked it, I think I was so excited to write it and had such a firm idea for what I wanted to happen during it in my head that once it was done I couldn't help but question/doubt it so I'm really happy by everyones comments about how much they seemed to like it :D D'Art and Porthos are kinda killing me at the moment (in a good way) I'm really looking forward to the scene's I'll be able to write for the pair once they're reunited with their brothers and are healing. Both have a lot of guilt to deal with and I'm looking forward to writing it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yeah it didn't work out completely as planned but it helped at least a bit. Porthos isn't going to be forgiving himself any time soon for leaving his brother, especially when he learns what I have planned :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx


Chapter Fifty-Five: Down But Not Out

Porthos had never felt like such a horrid human being then he did as he rode away from his little brother, even the pain radiating throughout his body from his physical wounds seemed to pale in comparison to the turmoil attacking his mind and heart.

The musketeer knew, first hand, what Rochefort was capable of, he bore the scars and wounds to prove it and in his mind he had just handed over one of the few people he actually cared deeply about over to him without protest.

With his thoughts taking darker and darker turns it was almost a good thing when the sound of gunfire had the horse he was riding rearing up in alarm, forcing him to gasp out in pain as he struggled to calm the frightened beast without falling off. In doing so he ended up facing the source of the shot, snarling when he recognized the red guard that had followed him as the very same man who had kicked D'Artagnan's feet out from under him, forcing him to kneel, only some minutes earlier when Rochefort took possession of the box.

Logically Porthos knew what he should do, that he should run, that he was in no condition to face someone like the man that stood, smirking, in front of him… but then he remembered the cries of pain that had torn their way free from his brother's lips from this man's actions and then, before he knew it, he was dismounting, anger burning brightly in his eyes as he raised his fists, preparing himself for what was about to happen.

His anger only grew when the red guard laughed mockingly before adopting a similar stance, only his was much looser, apparently not seeing the injured musketeer as much of a threat, something Porthos forced himself not to smirk at as he pushed the anger down so it was not ruling him.

Unlike the former red guard, who had likely entered his regiment the way most did, by paying his way in, Porthos had grown up fighting for his very survival so he knew, with confidence, that while he was in no way shape of form in peek condition, that he could still put up a decent fight.

The red guard moved first, having decided to put an end to things quickly. He threw a punch right at Porthos's jaw that the musketeer only just managed to dodge before throwing one of his own, which, while significantly less powerful than usual, met its intended target and had the man stumbling back with his hand raising instinctively to his now bleeding nose.

Looking at the blood now coating his palm the red guard raised his eyes to glare daggers at the injured musketeer, "You'll pay for that," growled the man as he drew his sword. He had not expected the man to fight back and now that he had not only fought back but also caused him to bleed, he was no longer messing around.

Porthos, in turn, grimaced slightly at the sight of the blade, though his mind was racing to find a way to use it to his advantage.

For the next several minutes however he had little time to continue these thoughts as the red guard kept him busy, the musketeer barely managing to dodge most of his attacks while several managed to catch his skin, leaving him with a couple of new bleeding wounds to add to his collection.

Unfortunately for Porthos it was after this assault that his leg decided that it could no longer continue to sustain his weight and buckled, sending the man down to his knees with a grunt of pain, his hands instinctively moving to hold his injured limb.

It was this moment of distraction that his opponent decided to capitalize on however when he charged at Porthos, sending the two tumbling to the ground and drawing a cry of pain from the larger man.

The two men tussled on the ground for several minutes with the red guard trying to find an opening to use his sword and Porthos doing everything he could to stop that from happening.

Somehow, and afterwards he would still be confused as to how he managed to do it, Porthos managed to turn the tables on his attack enough to put an end to the fight for good… With the red guard pushing his blade forward Porthos managed to twist his hold enough that the blade now pointed to the side, instead of at him. He then put all of his remaining strength in his good leg before kneeing the man, as hard as he possibly could, in the gut, causing the man to instinctively roll off of him as he tried to regain the breath that had been forced from his lungs.

However when he rolled he also loosened his grip on his blade enough for Porthos to move and the musketeer did not waste his opportunity, bringing the blade closer to him and slicing the red guard's neck in the process, causing him to bleed out beside him.

Afterwards all Porthos wanted to do was pass out, he was beyond exhausted and his whole body was screaming in pain but the sound of his horse stomping the ground reminded him why he was alone with the animal in the first place and of the brother now suffering for his freedom.

With his vision mostly obscured by the ever growing dark spots dancing across it Porthos somehow managed to both get to his feet and move to the horse, the animal seeming understanding the man's limitations as it knelt down to make it easier for him to get up onto its back and with one last look back towards where he knew his little brother to be Porthos urged the horse forward, managing to remain awake for all of a couple of minutes before slumping over in the saddle, completely passed out.


They had just finished setting up camp for the night when they heard it, hoof beats. It was faint at first but when it became clear that they were approaching them as they gained in volume the collection of musketeers drew their weapons, readying themselves for whatever was coming their way.