A/N: Thank you pallysAramisRios, SnidgetHex, Musketball1, and Minnie for reviewing!

Chapter 4

The musketeers and their dragons flew spaced apart on their way to the ruins located outside of Bourges, scanning the countryside below for signs of their missing brother. There were none.

Porthos was wound tight with worry, anger, and frustration when they reached the rendezvous. An overhead sweep found the place was empty. Still, Athos signaled for them to land and take a look around.

There was a burnt out campfire within the crumbling structure, along with several sets of footprints.

"What'd they do, bring a whole entourage?" Porthos grumbled as he studied the marks.

"They were ambushed here," Athos replied.

"How can you be sure?" Porthos huffed.

"Because the Spanish ambassador is dead."

Porthos and d'Artagnan crossed to where Athos was standing near a stone archway, and tucked beneath it in the grass was a dead body. Porthos's heart dropped into his stomach, and he began storming along the perimeter of the ruins, searching every nook and cranny for another body left to rot in the middle of nowhere…

"He's not here," d'Artagnan declared, circling back around after his half of the search.

"Maybe he escaped," Porthos said. Of course he would have; this was Aramis, after all.

"Or he was taken," Athos responded.

"What would they want with him?" d'Artagnan mused.

"I don't know, but let's hope we're right and he is still alive. Rhaego!"

The red dragon slipped his head in through the opening between dilapidated walls.

"I know there's a lot of scents here, but can you pick up Aramis?"

Rhaego bent his nose to the ground and wedged himself in as far as he could to do as much of a sweep as possible. The rest of them waited tensely. Porthos was confident in Rhaego's ability to find Aramis no matter where he was, but the waiting and worry was always difficult to bear.

Rhaego finally perked his head up and backed out of the ruins, turning his nose east. The musketeers mounted back up on their dragons and took to the skies, following Rhaego as he tracked the scent. They remained airborne while he kept low to the ground and frequently made stops to check the trail. When a farmstead came into view, Rhaego pulled up short and hovered in the air for a few moments. He then let out a loud puff to get their attention.

"Isn't that one of the garrison horses?" d'Artagnan called.

Indeed, there was a black Friesian in a paddock with three other horses. Other than that, the land itself looked as though it hadn't been farmed in several months.

"Let's land," Athos decided.

They veered left and looped down to a spot with good tree cover on the edge of the parcel.

"Do you still have the scent?" Athos asked Rhaego.

The russet dragon tilted his head, nostrils flaring as he inhaled deeply. He bobbed his head and thrust his nose toward the farmhouse. That was as good a confirmation as any for Porthos.

They made their way forward on foot, doing their best to remain concealed among the foliage. Not the easiest task with four full-grown dragons of various vibrant coloring.

Still, when they reached the edge of the tree line, they spotted only two men sitting on the stoop of the farmhouse. Muskets were propped against the wall, so they were clearly on watch. There was no way to tell how many might be inside, or if Aramis was even there. All they knew for certain was his horse was.

"Looks like a safe house," Athos commented.

"I say we introduce ourselves," Porthos growled.

The three musketeers shared a look and nodded in unison as they drew their weapons.

.o.0.o.

Aramis sat in the back of an animal stall in a barn, hands and feet in irons with a third chain tethering him to the bolt normally used for restraining horses. He had no idea where he was, as he'd spent most of the journey away from the ruins knocked unconscious. His situation was bad. No one knew where he was or even when to expect him back. He wished he'd left a more specific note for his brothers, but he'd been respecting the Queen's wishes. And now everything had gone to hell in a hand-basket. Aramis didn't know what Boudier would do with Anne's letter, but he knew it wouldn't be good. He also didn't know what the man wanted him alive for, though he supposed it was a good change from the last time they'd faced off and Boudier had been hellbent on killing the musketeers. Still, Aramis was worried about what kind of leverage he may be used for.

Noises outside drew him out of his morose thoughts. It was usually quiet here, so he strained to listen carefully. There was a shout, then the crack of a pistol. Aramis straightened sharply. He had no idea who was out there, but he started shouting.

"In here!"

The sounds of fighting increased, and several moments later the barn door banged open. Aramis tensed, hoping for a rescue, but it was one of his captors that came barreling into the stall. The man frantically unlocked the chain securing Aramis to the wall and hauled him to his feet. Aramis swung his chained arms, knocking the man into the wood, but his captor immediately struck out, hitting him in the forehead where he already had a tender bruise from his initial capture. Pain exploded throughout his skull, disorienting him long enough for the mercenary to grab the back of his jacket and drag him out of the stall. Aramis stumbled, the chain between his ankles barely long enough to allow him a shuffling walk. He mustered himself to struggle some more, but he was harshly yanked back against his captor's chest and the barrel of a pistol pressed against the side of his temple just as none other than Porthos barged into the barn. Aramis had a fleeting flush of relief before the pistol was jammed more firmly against his head.

"Let him go," Porthos growled, aiming his own pistol.

"I'm going free," the mercenary replied, backing up and dragging Aramis with him.

Athos and d'Artagnan entered the barn behind Porthos, and soon four guns were aimed Aramis's way. Well, three of them were meant to be a rescue, but with his captor currently using him as a human shield, it felt a bit more threatening than reassuring.

He stumbled as he was dragged back further, then the mercenary kicked open a back door and hauled him out into the open.

"How far do you think you're going to get with a shackled hostage?" Aramis casually asked.

"Shut up." The man continued to stagger backwards. "You come out and I'll kill him!" he shouted at the musketeers still in the barn.

A gust of wind buffeted them from behind and Aramis smiled. There they were.

The mercenary whipped around, only to find himself facing Rhaego and Ayelet. He yelped and jerked his gun toward them, but Rhaego struck like a cobra, snapping his jaws around the man's arm and wrenching him off the ground. The pistol fired into the air as he screamed. Rhaego swung his head and tossed the man through the air to land in a crumpled heap several yards away.

Aramis staggered to regain his balance, shoulders slumping in relief. The others came running out of the barn, though they slowed their pace at seeing him still standing.

"How on earth did you find me?" he asked incredulously.

"The Queen told us about your little 'errand,'" Porthos replied with a harsh glare.

Aramis grimaced. "I wanted to tell you, but she'd sworn me to secrecy."

"You still should have told us," Porthos said angrily. Aramis could see what lay beneath the ire, though—worry.

"I know. I'm sorry."

Athos walked past them and knelt next to the body Rhaego had broken to fish out the key for the chains.

"How did you even know I was in trouble?" Aramis asked as Athos unlocked the manacles. "Unless I was out for longer than I thought, I haven't been gone long enough to raise concern."

"The letter you were carrying was published and distributed throughout Paris as evidence that the Queen was engaged in treasonous relations with Spain," Athos replied.

Aramis's jaw went slack in horror. "The Spanish ambassador was already dead when I arrived. Someone had to have found out about the meeting from the start."

"A spy within the palace," d'Artagnan agreed.

"Or at least connected to the backchannels the Queen used. Also, it was Boudier."

Athos had just unlocked the shackles on his feet and stood abruptly at that. "Boudier?"

"He's in prison," Porthos said.

"Not anymore. He claimed to have 'a new benefactor.'"

Athos glanced around the quiet farmstead. "Is he here?"

Aramis shook his head. "I don't think so. I haven't seen him since the ruins. There were just low-level guards here as far as I saw. Boudier thought I might have a use later, which is the only reason he didn't kill me on the spot."

"Another reason you should have told us what you were doin'," Porthos added, tone still accusatory.

Aramis gave him another contrite look.

"So Boudier's working for someone," d'Artagnan redirected. "Someone with the power to get him out of prison. The governor? Or Captain Lahaye? Constance thinks they're the ones behind the recent turn of public opinion against the Queen."

"Unfortunately, we don't have any proof of that," Athos said. "Or any live prisoners to take back and question."

Aramis sighed, and Rhaego nudged his shoulder in encouragement.

Time to head home and face the music.

.o.0.o.

Anne stood in the solarium, hands clasped tightly in front of her as she waited. When the doors finally creaked opened, she turned around to face Aramis as he entered. He strode toward her solemnly, hat in hand, and came to a stop mere feet from her and bowed.

"Your Majesty, my deepest apologies for failing you."

Her heart constricted at the ghastly bruise marring his forehead, and she reached out to tip his face up. He met her gaze, and she moved her hand up to gently touch his brow.

"It is I who owe you the apology for putting your life in danger."

He brought his hand up to clasp hers, his voice lowering. "My life is yours to command."

She swallowed. "If I were wise, I would have listened to your counsel. Now I've made things worse." She dropped her hand and her gaze.

Aramis reached out to fold his hands over hers again. "The King will come around. He always does."

Anne shook her head, voice cracking. "It feels different this time. I have humiliated and betrayed him."

"That was not your intention."

"But it was the result."

And she didn't think there was anything that could make up for it.

.o.0.o.

While Aramis had been summoned by the Queen—something Athos thought was a bad idea but couldn't do anything about—Athos briefed Treville on Boudier's involvement in the recent incidents. Treville said he would look into it, though Athos wasn't sure he'd have much luck. Still, they had to start somewhere.

He then headed back to the garrison, anxiety building in his stomach. When he found Ninon still in his office, all of it melted away in an instant.

"I'm sorry," she immediately said upon his entrance. "I suppose I'm not ready to brave the streets to return to the camp yet."

"Of course. I'm glad you're still here."

She arched a mildly surprised look at him.

He crossed the room and leaned against the edge of his desk next to the chair she was sitting in. "How are you?" he asked softly.

She glanced away for a moment. "Physically, I'm fine. Mentally…" She looked up at him again, eyes wavering with remembered horror. "I was terrified."

Athos nodded and tentatively reached out to clasp her hand. "So was I," he quietly confessed. "When I saw you up on the platform, knowing what they were about to do… I haven't often felt that kind of fear for someone, and certainly not for a woman, not in a very long time." He took in a shaky breath. "It made me realize how important you are to me."

He shifted to fully face her and lowered himself to one knee so they were almost eye level.

"Are…you still open to something…more between us?" he asked hesitantly. His heart fluttered in a way it hadn't since he was a young comte. "Because I think I am."

Ninon's eyes widened in shock, and he started to regret his forwardness. But then she leaned forward, pressing her lips to his. Unlike the first time they had shared a kiss, he closed his eyes and responded in kind.

Ninon pulled back with a smile. "I am."

Athos kissed her again.

A/N: I know you all were hoping for some more whump with this episode, but I'm afraid I needed Aramis in top shape for what comes next. ;)

NEXT TIME

Louis asks Aramis to accompany him to his father's tomb where the truth of the King's illness comes out. Meanwhile, simultaneous assassination attempts threaten to send several people to an early grave.