Athos tossed back the blanket and pushed himself out of bed. His feet hit the floor and for a moment he just sat there, hands on his thighs, head bowed, and felt his body adjust to the new position. He took a deep breath and rubbed the sleep from his eyes and then ran his fingers through his hair.
The sun's rays entered through the tall window that overlooked the gardens. A fire blazed in the fireplace, and a tray of assorted breads, fruits, and a port of wine rested on a table next to a chair beneath the window. His doublet and britches, freshly laundered, lay across it. His polished boots rested by the front left leg.
He looked up when the door opened, and Treville entered.
"How do you feel?" Treville grabbed a chair and placed it by the bed. He took a seat, leaned back, and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Warm," Athos said, and met his eyes with a genuine smile.
Treville chuckled and nodded. "Good." He slapped his thigh and took a deep breath. "The chateau is alive with activity," he raised his eyebrows and leaned forward, "the king has invited Madame Eadan and her grandsons to join him in a celebration of a hunt and for saving your life — a two day affair," he raised his hand when Athos shook his head, "allow him this indulgence, Athos, his behavior of late is joyful and he has rekindled his love for the queen."
"And," Treville smiled, "he's driving the cardinal like an overworked team of horses — I fear the man may succumb to exhaustion by the time this is over." He chuckled and slapped his thigh again.
Athos nodded with a humorous chuckle. "The others?"
"Aramis and d'Artagnan are escorting Madame Eadan and her grandchildren, Porthos is on a mission of his own making, and you have been ordered to rest and recover — the king himself has made it clear you are not to be seen out of this room until you are well rested. He has even ordered the cooks to prepare warm meals of hearty stews and the count has offered to serve his best collection of wines to be served after the hunt and during the roast."
"It is all quite grand," Athos said and rubbed his face.
Both men turned toward the door as it opened and King Louis entered. Athos jumped to his feet as did Treville, and both men bowed. Athos winced and pressed his hand to the bed as he righted himself and stood before the king, who nodded toward his guard to close the door.
"Athos," Louis smiled, but frowned, "how do you feel?"
"Fine, your majesty," Athos said and swallowed nervously.
Louis cocked an eyebrow. "Says the man who defied Mother Nature. If the bruising to your face is any indication of what the rest of your body might look like, I'd say you're far from fine." He stepped closer, clasped his hands before him and tipped his head to his right. "May I?"
Athos closed his eyes, clenched his jaw, and breathed through his nose. He swallowed once, nodded, and turned slightly to the right. He hitched his breath when Treville stepped forward, grasped his shoulder in support, and then lifted the hem of Athos' shirt to expose the bruising at his back. Athos closed his eyes and felt the heat of embarrassment in his cheeks at the king's hiss.
"No broken bones?" King Louis asked as he studied the blue, nearly black mottled skin that was starting to show hints of green at the edges.
"No, sire," Treville said, "just bruising, strained joints, and sore muscles." He lowered the shirt and kept a firm hand on Athos' arm.
King Louis stood back and nodded. "There is a hot spring near here," he said, "I've heard of its healing properties — Charles swears by them. I'll have some water brought up for a bath." He looked casually around the room. "I need my most trusted musketeer fit for duty…" he turned and walked back toward the door and paused a moment. There was an awkward silence in the room before Louis spoke again, "I often find myself burdened with the duties and responsibilities of my country," he turned and looked toward Athos and Treville, "and though my outward appearance may not match my inward feelings, there are choices and decisions I must make that are painfully difficult — sometimes… sometimes, I find it easier to move quickly past those decisions as though I never made them. Had it not been for you, Athos," he paused and met his eyes, "you and Aramis both. I may have very well lost my queen. You selflessly protected her at a significant risk to yourselves. I thank you for that. It is because of you that I will one day soon meet my heir." Louis smiled and kept his tears at bay. "It is because of this, that I must also ask for your forgiveness…"
"Your majesty?" Athos said and frowned.
"In my haste for a resolution in the deaths of so many at the hands of renegade red guards posing as musketeers, I ordered your death," Louis pursed his lips and raised his chin, "A death that could well have changed the fate of my queen. Even a king should be able to admit when he is wrong. I'm grateful to your friends, Athos, who saved your life. If they had not…" his voice trailed off and he turned toward the closed door. "Guard," he called and exhaled slowly. "When I formed the musketeers and asked Treville to captain them… I did not know how important that decision would come to be — not until I saw Anne for the first time after that fateful day at the convent.
"Just know," Louis looked back toward them as the door opened, "I consider that creation one of my greatest achievements." He nodded toward them and quickly left.
Treville raised an eyebrow, quirked a smile, and said, "Sit, Athos, I feel you shaking beneath my grip."
Athos nodded and sat on the edge of the bed.
Treville retook his seat, rested his elbows on his knees, and said, "Now it's my turn to apologize." He looked up toward Athos, who frowned.
"I've had enough for one day, captain."
Treville chuckled, slapped his thighs, and stood. He replaced the chair to its former position and turned when there was a knock at the door and the count's butler entered. The man bowed, hands clasped before him, white gloves in contrast to his black suited doublet, britches, and boots. "The king has requested a bath be sent, messieurs, is now a good time?" He looked from Treville to Athos.
Before Athos could respond, Treville nodded and said, "Yes, now would be an excellent time."
The butler nodded, turned and motioned toward two men who carried a copper tub. They entered the room and placed the bath a few feet from the fire. One of the men added more wood to the flames, turned, bowed, and then quickly left.
The other grabbed the plate of food. "I'll refresh this for you, Monsieur." The man looked toward Athos and quickly left.
"This makes me very uncomfortable," Athos said and rubbed his face.
"I know," Treville chuckled, "but it's entertaining to watch." He slapped Athos' arm. "Eat, soak, and then sleep some more. The king will need you up and ready on the day of the hunt and the day of the roast." He walked toward the door and stepped aside as several men entered with buckets of steaming water. "Allow the king this honor… you, more than most, understand how difficult his choices are." He tipped his head and left.