Evening My Lovelies

Okay, so I did fully intend on writing and publishing yesterday like I was supposed to but then the procrastinator monster that lives inside of me came out to play and I got locked into a random youtube marathon instead... Sorry!

Notes On Reviews:

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh I'm glad I didn't just imagine that necklace from Milady thing... yes it is that one. I'll explain it a bit more in a coming chapter :) Haha I did try coming up with a different descriptor for our lovely Athos but grumpy just fit XD Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysAramisRios: Thanks for the review - Aww thank you :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Fifty-Three: The Barn I

The sight of the barn in front of them brought up an uncomfortable mix of emotions for the two musketeers. There was hope, obviously as they had been searching desperately for their missing friend for days, frantically clinging onto any piece of information they could get in relation to their condition or location.

It was why they had been so thankful to Jean in the last village who had confirmed to them that the red guards had, in fact, lied and that D'Artagnan, while in quite a bad state, was still alive.

However, this hope was offset by a sickening sense of unease and dread as they remembered the description Jean had given them as to the group's condition, the explanation of just how bad and sick D'Artagnan truly was and how serious the injuries on the others in the group appeared to be.

The pair would later site this swirl of emotions as to the reason why they were distracted enough on their approach to the barn to miss the shadowed figure by the barn door slowly rise to its feet, pull out a gun and aim it in their direction.

What they didn't miss however was the silence shattering crack of the gun as bullet impacted the ground a few feet in front of them, causing their startled mounts to rear up in surprise. The musketeer pair cursed quickly under their breaths as they frantically worked to get the horses back under control whilst simultaneously searching the area for their assailant as they drew weapons of their own.

"Come any closer and the next one goes in your skull," threatened an all too familiar voice causing the pair to visibly relax as they made a show of reholstering their own weapons, faint smiles tugging at the corners of their lips.

Taking charge Issac, now fully beaming, called out, "Easy Porthos! It's just us," as he dismounted his horse, giving the beast a gentle pat on the side of its neck once he was safely on the ground before turning his attention to the now stunned figure standing guard in front of the doors to the barn.

It took a few moments for Porthos's mind to catch up but once it had a matching grin appeared on his face as he strode forward, quickly pulling Issac into a tight embrace, relishing in the knowledge that they weren't alone, even if there were only two of them.

If Issac noticed how tightly Porthos was holding him or how the man seemed to sag in relief he said nothing, merely enjoying the embrace as he relished in the knowledge that at least one of his friend appeared unharmed.

"Porthos?" called an unfamiliar voice, putting the two new musketeers on edge, their hands immediately going to their weapons, only to be stopped by Porthos who held out a hand with a warning look on his face.

"It's fine Marin," replied Porthos causally, though he didn't allow his gaze to drift from the new arrivals, not when his earlier warning shot appeared to have made them quite trigger happy themselves. "They're friends."

Reassured by Porthos's brief explanation Marin ducked back inside the barn for a few moments, most likely explaining the situation to those inside before stepping out, surprise and shock flashing across his face when, mere moments later, upon recognizing him, Henri had pulled his pistol, aiming it right at the young red guard's heart.

Cursing quickly and not so quietly Porthos moved to stand in front of his newest friend protectively, not missing the glimmer of betrayal that flickered in Henri's eyes as he did so.

"Stand down Henri," ordered Porthos firmly as he allowed his eyes to quickly dart to Issac, relieved to see that while the man was standing ready to attack, he had yet to actually draw a weapon.

"He's a red guard," hissed Henri, memories of a red guard stabbing his friend playing on repeat in his head making it near impossible for him to think rationally.

"He's a friend."

Those three words coupled with how intent the larger man was on protecting the red guard were enough to Issac to relax his stance and turn to his friend.

"Henri," he said quietly, understanding burning brightly in his eyes as he knew all too well what was going through his friend's mind. When Henri made no move to lower his weapon Issac placed a hand on the barrel of the pistol, exerting a little force to push the weapon down.

"You know what his kind did," hissed Henri as he turned his glare to Issac, missing the confusion and worry that passed across both Porthos's and Marin's faces at his words.

With a firm look on his face Issac nodded once, "but he didn't do it," stated the musketeer, a small measure of relief filling him when he saw how the stubborn, determined approach seemed to be getting through to his friend. "Plus Porthos trusts him, which means Athos and Aramis do too. I can respect that trust, even if I don't approve of it," he added with a slight glare over his shoulder to the younger red guard. "We're not asking you to be friends but…"

Issac didn't have to say any more as Henri let out a reluctant sigh, lowering his weapon the rest of the way before holstering it after a few moment's hesitation. He took a few moments to get his anger back under control before lifting his head to look back at Porthos, who was watching with no small measure of curiosity and concern.

"It seems we have a lot to talk about."