Treville leaned forward with his left hand pressed to the desk surface, and his right hand scratching his jaw. He looked up as the door to his office opened. "The king has been invited to attend a performance by the 24 Violins of the King at the Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc. The Count of Clermont is honoring his majesty for his contributions to the arts." He looked at the parchment with Richelieu's script and glanced toward his men as they took positions around the room. "The king has stipulated that he will travele on horseback," he held up his hand before anyone of them could speak, "he has made it very clear that he will not be discouraged." He raised his eyebrows and met each of their faces before he straightened and stood back from his desk.

"The queen will follow by carriage, given her delicate state." Treville crossed his arms over his chest and took a deep breath. "An advanced detachment has been sent ahead to arrange encampments and check for threats along the road. The Count of Clermont is a dedicated servant to the king, but cannot be expected to guarantee his safety."

"Should the queen be attending in her condition?" Aramis said. He ignored the side-eyed look from Athos and shrugged. "It seems an unnecessary risk."

Treville nodded in agreement, but glanced at the table's surface. He inhaled deeply and then slowly exhaled. "Our duty is to protect her, and the king, not question his decisions." He met Aramis' eyes. "You and Porthos will ride with the king, Athos, d'Artagnan and I will accompany the queen."

Aramis nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. "Might I presume the king would like to engage in some hunting during his travels?"

Treville raised his eyebrows and tilted his head. "Possibly, but he has not stated as much."

"Traveling by carriage this time of year could prove challenging," Athos said. "The weather is bound to turn." He rubbed his brow and then looked toward Treville with his eyebrows raised. Athos placed his hands on his hips, then grabbed the hilt of his sword, and rested his fingers along the guard.

Porthos grunted and then nodded. "Weather's been too calm… it's bound to change — an' not for the better." He glanced toward Athos and looked at the captain.

Treville looked skeptically toward his desk and the message which folded upward from the seams. "Richelieu has assured me that members of the red guard will have checked the roads and searched for potential threats." He looked up. "I have my orders, and you have yours. We'll be departing the day after tomorrow at dawn." He took a deep breath and exhaled through his nose. "Aramis you and Porthos need to select eight other musketeers to accompany us on the ride — be sure they're ready. D'Artagnan, prepare a packhorse with enough previsions for at least one night should we be delayed during our travels." He motioned toward the door and watched them turn to leave. "Athos," he said, and motioned with his chin to the door.

Athos nodded, closed the door, and turned back toward Treville. "Captain?"

Treville frowned, rubbed the back of his neck, and then placed his hand on his hip. "The king has…" he paused, chewed his bottom lip, and said, "expressed some concerns about the queen — in private of course — but… his behavior has been erratic of late," he met Athos' eyes, "unreasonably suspicious and I fear this is the result of," he shrugged, "a foreign influence — perhaps something stronger than wine."

Athos cleared his throat and raised his left eyebrow.

Treville inhaled through his nose and pursed his lips as he exhaled. "Richelieu and I have both discussed the erratic changes of late… my sense is… this may be self inflicted." He met Athos eyes. "The king's physician has stated that the king's paranoia of late is concerning — it has been difficult to assess if his paranoia is linked to irrational fears or if he has found an escape outside of traditional means — he has been known to overindulge his wine." He swallowed, tightened his jaw, and remained stern.

Athos nodded, swallowed, and licked his bottom lip. "And?"

"Aramis — I hope — will recognize the behavior, and may provide more insight, but I look to you for a solution should this be a situation in which the king can no longer discern his wants from his body's needs… ." Treville cleared his throat and shifted his feet. "While I do not know your detailed past, Athos, I am familiar enough with your struggles — which is why I'm asking."

Athos winced painfully as he looked toward the window.

Treville shook his head, knocked on the surface of his desk with his knuckles, and said, "His behavior changes around the queen — it's imperative we keep her safe, the child she carries is —"

"Assuming his behavior changes during our escort," Athos raised his eyebrows in question, "who will make decisions on the king's behalf? Richelieu?" He scratched the back of his head and looked toward the floor. "Richelieu organized this event to remove the king from Paris should," he shrugged, "an unsightly episode befall him?" He looked up and met Treville's eyes.

Treville nodded. "Richelieu and I—"

Athos raised his eyebrows and said, "Since when does the captain of the musketeers befriend the man who tried to have us murdered — the queen murdered?"

Treville clenched his jaw and met Athos' eyes. "I will not dignify that question with a response, Athos. The king's behavior of late is worrisome. You are my most trusted man, and I look to you to do what I cannot." He exhaled and paused a moment as he collected his thoughts.

Athos relaxed his shoulders and nodded. "King Louis' principals would not allow him to suffer the same ill effects of shouldering the need that you have implied — and, if he indeed has found himself compromised with something other than wine — his behavior would be altered at all times — not just around the queen. He has taken pride in his station above the common people, and the king has suffered erratic behavior since childhood," he shifted and turned toward the door, "perhaps instead of looking at his recent bout of paranoia you should look at the man and all he has suffered over the course of his years — his suspicion — may very well be justified." He grabbed the doorknob.

"Athos?" Treville said and brought him to a halt. "He has not been himself."

"I have no doubt of that, captain." Athos nodded once and turned the doorknob. He looked toward the floor and said, "The king has been blessed with the impending arrival of a child, his queen was nearly murdered, he questions the loyalty of those closest to him because he must," he looked toward Treville, "not because he wants to, and while he may admire the cardinal's council, his admiration for the man is misguided since the cardinal has often failed to act in the king's best interest… perhaps that is where you should be looking." He licked his lips, gripped the handle of the door until his knuckles turned white. "Recognition by the count may help King Louis rectify his recent frailty. — At least allow him the opportunity to resolve what troubles him without assumptions and accusations."

"Athos?"

"The men will be ready at sunup the day after tomorrow," Athos said, and left the room.

Treville frowned, took a deep breath, and rubbed his brow. He watched the door close and then glanced toward the window as the sun's position heralded the approach of the noon hour. He listened to the sparring in the courtyard, ran a hand over his face, took a seat in his chair, and sighed.