As Porthos heard steps approaching the tent, he sighed with relief while wiping some of the blood from the body of his still unconscious brother. "You hear that? The doctor's coming. You will be fit again in no time." He tried to not let the worry for Aramis dominate his voice, but Porthos knew if his friend would have unconscious he would have hear it nevertheless. But Aramis wasn't conscious, and this was what was driving him mad even more. Without him telling them what hurt, it was hard to really know how bad he was hurt. They could only tell the obvious wounds.

Porthos hoped that the doctor could find out more about the condition of their brother than them.

As the tent flattered open, Porthos didn't turn around to face d'Artagnan and the doctor. "Took you long enough to come, doctor. He hasn't woken yet." He explained to the two men he had awaited dearly.

Unfortunately, it wasn't them. The voice that answered him belonged to someone else, causing his heart to miss a beat. Girard. "I am not sure if he deserves to be treated by a medic."

Behind Girard Athos stepped into the tent, brow creased in fury and worry. At Porthos questioning glance, he sighed. "General Girard still believes Aramis is a spy – or worse now: a traitor. He may believe us that the once was a musketeer, but is sure that Aramis has changed sides. With the real spy dead – we have no evidence."

Girard folded his arms in front of his chest, watching the three men with something in his eyes that came close to amusement. "I fear, I will have to take the prisoner back. And imprison you-" he pointed at Porthos disinterested, "for high-treason as you have murdered a French soldier."

"You can't do this, Girard. You know that we speak the truth, you just want to let out your wrath against the musketeers on us." Athos stepped forward, between Porthos and Girard, in hope to prevent the worst. Porthos has left his place by the side of his still unconscious brother to stand up and tower of Girard, showing him his whole strength and height.

Girard grinned smugly. "Unfortunately, dear Athos, as long as long as you have no proof that my assumptions are wrong, I will have to make sure that these two men won't flee."

"If you don't believe us – would you believe the King?" Porthos asked, knowing that his Majesty was now their only way out of this dire situation.

Girard cocked his head slightly to the side, raising one of his eyebrows. "Of course I would believe the King." What else could he have said? No one could question the words of the King, even though they wanted to sometimes.

"Then ask him. He has commanded the mission."

Girard frowned, not liking where this was going. As much as he hated the musketeers, he knew that they probably didn't lie – and especially wouldn't lie with matters of the King. On the other side, he couldn't give in now.

Meanwhile Athos and Porthos shared a look, knowing that they got Girard to the point where they wanted him. At least they thought so.

"If it's like this… I will send a messenger to ask the King about this affair. But until then… I can't risk anything. I will have to arrest the both of you still."

"You won't." Athos protested, stepping in front of Porthos to prevent the large man from ripping Girard apart. "Even if he wanted – what he most certainly won't – Aramis is in no condition to flee. There is no reason to imprison him. And Porthos only killed a man who had trained a weapon on me. Even if the man was no spy but a loyal French soldier, he had threatened a Captain. Porthos only did his service as a soldier and protected his Captain."

Girard huffed, but Athos' arguments were good. "Still I won't risk anything. I will place my soldiers around this tent. None of these men is allowed to leave until we have certitude."

Athos nodded slowly. It was the best they could get in this moment. It maybe wasn't enjoyable but at least they could stay together and he could watch out for his brothers. And in a few days the messenger will confirm their statements and everything will work out from then.

With that, Girard left and only a few minutes later four of his men were positioned outside.
D'Artagnan and the medic came to them a little bit later.

While Aramis was treated and Porthos took again his place by his brothers side, Athos explained to d'Artagnan what had happened.

"I want you to follow the messenger, d'Artagnan. To make sure he truly makes the journey and talks with he King. Girard won't allow you to accompany his man, so you will have to stay hidden. Make sure you also hear what he tells the King – I don't want any false information to reach the King's ears."

D'Artagnan frowned and glanced towards his unconscious brother. He didn't want to leave him now that they got him back after all this time. However, Athos seemed to read his mind.

"I wouldn't send you if I could send another man. But I don't want to pull more musketeers into this than necessary. Moreover I have to send someone I trust completely. I would do it myself, but my absence would be questioned."

D'Artagnan sighed but agreed. Athos was right.

….

He had bid his goodbyes only hours later, following the traces of Girard's messenger.

Now, a few days later, they finally reached Paris and he still wasn't detected. Everything went as planned and d'Artagnan was pleased to see that the messenger hurried to the palace directly and didn't stop in an Inn or somewhat to rest.

In the morning, d'Artagnan knew that they probably would reach Paris this day, he dressed in his Musketeer uniform instead of comfortable travel-clothes. So he hadn't any problem to rush into the palace just before the messenger reached it and slipped into the great hall of the palace – relieving another Musketeer of his guard duty. He placed a hat on his head and pulled it as deep as possible, hiding his face just the moment the messenger hurried into the hall.

The King sat up more straight in his throne, watching the man interested. On the place beside him sat the Queen, looking as gracefully as ever.

D'Artagnan watched the on goings carefully.

Girard's man was out of breath as he finally reached their majestys and bowed low. "Your majesties," he greeted them both, still catching his breath.

"I'm hear in a matter of great importance. General Girard had sent me from the front to discuss a sensitive topic with you." He looked around, noticing the many people in the hall. "A matter, which not everyone should hear."

The King understood and dismissed the servants and noblemen that were scattered in the room. D'Artagnan sighed in relief, as the guards were allowed to stay.

"So what is this urgent matter?" Louis asked, leaning forward in anticipation.

"There was this spanish prisoner of war we had captured a while ago. He didn't give us any valuable information, neither General Girard nor Captain Athos from the Musketeers. However, a few days ago, we found the three Musketeer Athos, Porthos and d'Atagnan in the tent with our prisoner. Porthos had shot another soldier, who died instantly. The Musketeers claimed that the prisoner is Aramis of the King's Musketeers, who was send on a mission from you to spy in the spanish army. The dead soldier is supposed to be a spanish spy. General Girard would like to have some confirmation from you about this mission."

….

Louis listened intensive. Of course he remembered that mission. But he also remembered why he had sent the Musketeer Aramis on this mission. He hadn't missed how Anne's eyes widened and almost gasped aloud as the mans name was mentioned. She had still believed him to live peacefully in some monastery.

Now, he could confirm that he had commanded this mission. Save Musketeer Aramis from being executed for high treason and save this Porthos for overtaking the same fate.

From what he knew it was quite possible that the dead soldier was truly the spanish spy they had searched. So apparently Aramis had accomplished his mission.

Louis sighed. Even though it had been from high importance to find this spy – he had somehow hoped that Aramis would die during this mission. This would have made things easier. Aramis could have died honourable and he would have been rid of him forever without having to really do something for it.

Denying the mission, would mean he could get what he had intended. But this Porthos would also be killed. He believed to remember this man, who had protected him many times. He had no issue with him and couldn't really afford to lose more good men – he had already lost so many to the war.

But if he confirmed the mission, Aramis would also be acquitted and maybe even be celebrated for his accomplished mission. He really didn't like this thought.

Moreover Anne would be angry with him for withholding this information from him – even though she really couldn't do anything against it though. But he didn't enjoy an angry Anne. He still could let Aramis be executed for his affair with Anne – but this was something Louis really wanted to avoid. Even though he didn't like what happened, he couldn't afford to lose Anne to this. Not in times of war. The country was unstable enough. Moreover – with the affair being public, it wouldn't need long until the parentage of the Dauphin would be questioned. That was something he couldn't afford to happen neither. He needed an heir, and the Dauphin was the only one to take this place.

It was a difficult decision to make.