Ups... I didn't plan to write so many more chapters... but the story is living on it's own will as it seems.
Thank you all for your lovely reviews that keep me going!
"I hate this. Sitting around and waiting uselessly." Porthos grumbled as he shuffled his deck of cards for what felt like the hundreds time. But what else was he supposed to do? Aramis had been treated by the doctor, and this morning they had changed the bandages and cleaned off the last of the dirt that had lingered on his skin. He still had to regain consciousness. He had woken up a few times over the past days, but he was never lucid enough to speak or recognize where he was. At least they had gotten a few sips of water into his dehydrated body.
Athos had been away most of the time, discussing important Captain business – leaving Porthos alone and bored.
"D'Artagnan and the messenger will surely return soon." Athos had brought some chicken stew and bread with a bottle of wine on a tray, sitting it down on the only table of the tent. Hungrily as ever, Porthos grabbed his bowl of stew, spooning it fast into his mouth.
"We have to get something into him too. He needs sustenance." Athos spoke worriedly, the feelings open to be seen in his eyes – something only few people were allowed to ever witness. Porthos sighed, putting down his own bowl.
"We need him to get more lucid the next time he awakes." Porthos pours them both a glass of wine, gulping down it's contents in a second.
Placing a gentle hand on his brothers arm, Athos took place beside Aramis. "You hear us, mon ami? You need to wake up. I didn't send d'Artagnan on the mission for nothing. I want you awake and healthy once he comes back."
There was no reaction from Aramis and Athos sighed frustrated. What had he hoped for? That a few gentle words and a whole hearted wish would just heal his brother after everything he had went through?
"We can't loose you now that we've got you back." He murmured, gently stroking away some sweated hair from Aramis' face. Porthos had went silent, not wanting to disturb this heart breaking but rare moment of Athos really speaking out his affection. People who knew him could see the love he had for his brothers in his eyes, could read the gentle touches and slightly smirk on his lips. But even for his brothers in arms it wasn't often that Athos spoke out what he thought or felt.
"Don't you dare die on us now, Aramis." His voice got a little harsher now, more into a commanding tone as frustration overcame Athos. "You haven't lived through the last years - completely alone – for nothing. You have given up everything now wake up and take it back!" Athos hissed the last words, before hitting his fist onto the table – causing the tray on it to shake dangerously. Porthos first saved the stew from falling before he grasped the hand of Athos, gently squeezing it.
"Calm down 'Thos. You don't want him to wake to an angry voice – do you?"
Athos shook his head, letting it fall to his chest. "I'm sorry. It's just so…"
"Frustrating. Unfair. Hurtful?" Porthos nod in understanding, placing his hand now on Athos shoulder to ground him.
"Give it time. D'Artagnan will come back with good news and Aramis will be ack to duty in no time. He just needs to sleep it off."
None of them really believed Porthos' words, but they shared an agreeing look – both desperately wanting that it happens just like this.
….
The great hall of the palace was still deserted, besides the few guards, the messenger and their majesties. D'Artagnan's heart pounded in his chest as the King stood up, ready to make his statement.
"I confirm that there was a mission for a Musketeer named Aramis. He was supposed to find a spanish spy in between our rows."
The messenger nodded, even though he didn't seem pleased with the answer he had gotten. He surely had hoped for the King to deny the mission and to condemn Aramis and Porthos with that.
"But," the King strode closer to the messenger, walking down the stairs and frowned. "Why was he found as a spanish soldier? This was an action I haven't permitted. With joining the Spaniards, Musketeer Aramis has committed high-treason, as he acted against my direct orders. Musketeer Porthos will not suffer under any punishment as he served our country well and killed the Spanish Spy. Aramis, on the other side, will have to face trial here in Paris."
There was a shocked gasp from the Queen, who caught herself quickly again. The guards in the room – mostly Musketeers – stared at each other in disbelief. D'Artagnan on the other side decided that he needed to act. He stepped forward, taking off the hat that had shielded his face.
"Your majesty," he approached the King and bowed deeply. "May I speak?"
The King raised a brow as he walked back to his throne. "What is it, Musketeer?"
"I've been on the front too, your majesty. Fought for France since the beginning. As it happens, Aramis had been a friend of mine since some years. He hadn't come with us – telling us that he would leave the soldiering life behind to live in a monastery. We've met him again as he was taken as a prisoner of war. He had told us over his mission – told us that he was ordered to join the spanish army to gain their trust and find the spy."
"Are you saying that I lied to you?" The King asked in an outburst of fury. D'Artagnan shook his head. "No, your majesty. I would never think of anything like that. What I meant is, that someone HAS ordered Aramis to join the Spanish. I do not know who, but he surely has gotten more information about the mission from someone different than you, didn't he? Maybe there was some misunderstanding… What I actually want to say is, that Aramis was and still is a loyal Frenchman and would never betray his country or act against orders of his King."
The King sighed annoyed. "I fear, Musketeer, that nice words from you won't be enough proof Aramis' innocence. I want him for trial here as soon as possible. THEN, you will have the chance to stand up for your friend."
With a wave of his hand, King Louis dismissed d'Artagnan and the messenger.