Porthos
He closed the door after Anne and sank in the chair, hiding his face in his hands. The musketeer knew he should have interrupted the lovers' encounter. It was his duty to the King... and to his brother.
How could I deny love to those who needed it so desperately?
It was treason.
Not the first married woman Aramis slept with.
"She's not a woman. She's the Queen!", my own words. Still true.
What if she gets pregnant again?
I should have done something… but I couldn't. They needed each other so desperately… they are so hopelessly in love…
Why my stupid brother could not find a love with whom he would be able to share his life? He deserves it. Even if he had broken many hearts…
Porthos sighed and slowly got up from the floor. Some things just could not be changed even if they desperately had to. The musketeer was not able to save Aramis from his love but he could make sure that no enemy would hurt him further. At least he intended to.
The forced idleness was getting on his nerves. Obviously Porthos knew that they needed time to heal. Even if the mundane activities stopped being a challenge some time ago, the musketeer was still far from his fighting fitness. If he was in garrison he would be condemned to light duty, which usually meant weapon cleaning in the armory. Some other musketeers were accepted as kitchen help but not Porthos after his "outstanding" performance. He had convinced Serge that his lack of cooking talent combined with good appetite was a recipe for disaster.
Porthos slowly got up from his post near the door and entered the bedroom. The scent of lovemaking reminded him of Flea. He missed his queen.
Aramis was sleeping peacefully, which had been a rare occurrence recently. He was still a bit too pale for Porthos' liking but the musketeer reasoned that his brother needed sun to look healthier. And the sun was not available in the palace secret rooms.
Porthos sank on his bed. He did not exactly plan to sleep and was a bit surprised when a muffled sound awoke him. The musketeer's hand faultlessly found the dagger but before he reached the door he heard Aramis' laugh.
Athos was watching him carefully, his expression a bit worried.
Porthos greeted his friend.
"Have you brought some excellent food?", he asked delighted.
Athos sighed.
"Haven't I told you?", Aramis winked at their lieutenant.
"Yes. You have.", replied the swordsman, " I have food and orders. What has happened to him?", he nodded towards Aramis.
Porthos nervously looked at Aramis searching for blood or bruises. There was no blood and no new traces of abuse. The old ones were still present but fading. The dark skinned musketeer wanted to deny Athos' worry when marksman's eyes caught his attention. The shine of joy in them, especially.
Porthos glanced at Athos and sighed heavily.
"You don't want to know.", he stated.
The swordsman's eyes widened and Porthos was sure he guessed the truth.
"You stupid idiot", Athos hissed towards Aramis.
"Leave it", Porthos growled, "not his fault!". He would defend his brother. He was not so naive to believe that this one night will miraculously cure Aramis' soul but he was determinant to protect these moments of reprieve. Aramis had suffered more than enough!
"How not his fault?!", Athos asked incredulously.
"She came here to seek the solace and redemption", Porthos replied.
The marksman was silent, his eyes avoiding their gazes.
"Aramis, it's too dangerous! It can't happen again.", Athos insisted.
Porthos wanted to hit him. The previous happiness had disappeared completely and Spaniard's posture was clearly radiating utter defeat.
"It won't", Aramis answered his eyes now empty.
"What do you plan?", even Athos was alarmed.
"Execute Treville's plan to bring Rochefort to the justice", the marksman replied swiftly.
"Very well", Athos agreed.
Porthos, however, felt sick from worry. Obviously it was too easy to heal Aramis' soul over one night. But he started to have hope and it was taken from him too quickly…
Athos laid out the plan of the Cathedral and indicated their position.
"Do you truly think he'll come?", Porthos asked.
Athos sighed.
"If he's able to think clearly he won't. We all hope the vengeance is driving him."
"It is", Aramis murmured, "but it doesn't mean he's stupid…"
"That's the thing I came to discuss…", the swordsman said carefully, "I think he'll send men to kidnap her…"
"WHAT?!", Aramis snapped, his face deathly pale.
"And we should allow this", Athos finished.
Aramis leapt at him and pushed him against the wall.
"Now, you're insane!", he growled.
"She proposed that"
"And have you agreed that this animal lays hands on her? AGAIN?!"", the marksman hissed in rage.
"Aramis, I remind you. She's the Queen! The King is unavailable now so we do respect her orders as we respect her!"
The marksman closed his eyes clearly defeated.
"It's madness…", he whispered releasing his hold on Athos and sinking on his knees, his head bowed.
The swordsman sighed.
"We will protect her.", Athos whispered.
"Will it be enough?", Aramis asked bitterly.
We had so many successes in protecting recently! The Queen will probably die and my stupid brother will follow her. I cannot allow it!
"If the order is to bring her alive they won't hurt her before."
"And why do we want to let her be taken? It's better to catch one of his men and get information from him. Isn't the way we used to act?", Porthos asked, a bit amazed why their plan needed to involve any risk for the Queen's life. Obviously her showing up at the Cathedral already jeopardized her safety.
Athos sighed. The dark skinned musketeer could sense that his leader did not see much reason in this madness.
"I'll talk with her and make her change her mind", Aramis said suddenly.
"Don't you think that Treville and I haven't tried?!", Athos asked exasperatedly.
"I know you've tried but I know I'll succeed. Please bring her here."
The swordsman reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"You may have to wait", he warned before leaving. It was clear he believed that Aramis may convince the Queen but also did not want to give any possibility to those two to continue their traitorous relationship.
"Why does she want to risk so much?", Porthos asked not really counting for Aramis' reply.
The marksman remained silent for a long while and when he started to speak his voice was so low that barely audible.
"She needs to prove to herself that she's not broken… she wants to risk her life to wash herself from the guilt she feels… she's ready to suffer and even die as long as it's on her terms…"
The dark skinned musketeer was trying to find any words to reply with, but there was nothing to say. Aramis had given him an insight not only into the Queen's thoughts but possibly his own as well. Porthos could point the lack of logic in this kind of thinking but that did not make emotions easier to bear.
He was not surprised that his brother was seeking redemption in risk and pain but it was so inappropriate for her Majesty.
As inappropriate has been being kidnapped and abused…
"Mis…", he whispered.
The marksman smiled sadly.
"Thank you", he replied gently.
And Porthos knew that the Spaniard was grateful for the way he had acted when Queen came to their secret rooms.
"Mis… you're a stupid idiot…", he patted Aramis' arm, exasperated. There was no need to say more. He could not approve Aramis' deadly dalliance but he'd do everything to see his brother happy…
Or less haunted…
A/N
I am still here and still writing even if slowlier than I would like to. Once again all my thanks to Legate of Apples for betaing.