Evening My Lovelies

God my motivation for writing has been severely lacking lately... I hate that I've been making you all wait longer than promised for updates. I have a plan in mind to hopefully keep me on track with my writing and may even result in me uploading more frequently so fingers crossed!

Notes On Reviews:

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - We'll be checking in with Treville's group in the next chapter I think... I might skip ahead a little to have them actually meeting up, depends if I get inspired to have something happen on the way... we'll see. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I liked writing that scene so I'm glad you liked it. Henri's not going to be comfortable around our lovely Marin anytime soon so that might bring up some interesting tension :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysAramisRios: Thanks for the review - Haha that's the story of my life at the moment. My work's not open fully yet so I've been chilling at home getting frequently lost into YouTube :D I'm going to be skipping some of the chat and explanations as we don't need to endure them again but there are somethings they do need to talk about which I will be including... more so in the next chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the reviews: (Chapter52) Yep they're on the right trail :D (Chapter53) Porthos and the others have become quite fond of Marin and it's going to show in the next few chapters :D Issac has definitely learned from the whole ordeal with Ines, I'm glad you like it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Oh it was SO tempting to have them run into trouble but I figure our boys need the supplies they're bringing... who knows, maybe trouble will find them soon :D We'll be seeing the reunion today, not as fluffy as I had initially planned but figured they would have more serious things to focus on i.e helping their injured then having fluffy moments (as much as I might love them) I have some planned for a coming chapter though :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-Four: The Barn II

It took a moment for Porthos to be confident enough that Henri would not attack the young red guard he and his brothers had reluctantly become fond of. Once he was however he allowed his tense posture to relax as he sent both men a small yet relieved smile, gesturing for them to follow him as he turned to enter the barn, not so subtly urging Marin to move first so his body continued to stand protectively in front of the young man, a silent statement that did not go unnoticed by the others.

As they entered the barn both musketeers felt their anger spike as they took in the exhausted form of Athos who was cradling an unconscious D'Artagnan, who was resting his head on the swordsman's lap, whilst and equally tired-looking Tristan sat next to the pair attempting to get the unconscious Gascon to drink something.

A quick glance around the small barn spoke volumes of the condition of the group and both musketeers were immensely glad they had grabbed the supplies they had before leaving to track the group.

"What are you doing here?" asked Athos gruffly, exhaustion lining his words as he took in the two men before them, not missing the glares Henri kept sending Marin and the worried glances Issac would send his companion.

"More importantly what did you bring?" interrupted Tristan, all but demanding answers having spotted the two rather plump bags the men were carrying. He had been doing what he could with the limited supplies they had but with each man's condition worsening those supplies had quickly vanished and all their hopes had then rested on reaching the next village and praying they had supplies.

Stepping forward Issac and Henri wasted no time in depositing their bags in front of the tired physician's assistant. "We weren't told much of everyone's condition so we grabbed a bit of everything, what are we dealing with here?"

Gratitude flooded the faces of the group and Aramis even forced his agony filled body to move so he could help Tristan sort through the new supplies, the pair talking quickly and quietly, relieved smiling slowly growing on their faces with every new batch of herbs or roll of bandages they pulled out.

Getting the hint that neither of their medics would be answering the man's question any time soon Porthos decided to answer, giving a brief explanation of the many injuries and maladies that plagued their comrades.

"Huh," mused Issac lightly after Porthos had finished his explanation, his response drawing a curious look from both Porthos and Athos, "I guess the red guards told the truth after all," turning to Henri he added, "Didn't know they even knew what truth was."

"Red guards?" queried Marin curiously, his head popping up from where he had been helping Tristan and Aramis who were now already at work grinding up some of the herbs to begin treating their injured. There was honest curiosity in his words but the harsh glare Henri sent his way had him ducking his head back down, furthering the confusion and concern felt by both Athos and Porthos.

"Okay what's going on?" demanded Porthos as he stared hard at the pair, "I know we don't have the best history with the red guards but since when have you been so aggressive with them, even going as far as to almost shoot an unarmed one?"

This statement drew raised eyebrows from Athos who completely understood his brother's confusion. While musketeers and red guards had quite the heated rivalry out of their entire regiment Henri was one of the calmest of their brothers, it taking a lot to get the man angry and given the level of aggression he was now displaying Athos was sure something significant must have happened.

When it became clear that Henri wasn't going to respond Issac let out a soft sigh before turning to face the inseparables, the pain on his face and in his eyes hitting the men hard and making their breath catch in their throats as he uttered a single word, "Etienne."

If D'Artagnan hadn't been using his legs as a pillow Athos would have jumped to his feet while demanding answers, as it was Issac didn't leave them imagining the worst for too long, quickly following up the announcement with an explanation of the encounter with the red guards and the wound Etienne had sustained as a result.

"H-How bad?" asked Porthos, suddenly understanding Henri's anger, though it was directed at the wrong person it was hard to think logically when someone you cared about had and was suffering.

Issac let out another sigh, "Gaspard says he's still fighting and seems quite proud of that fact so he's more hopeful now then he was when he first received the wound but its still quite touch and go."

Silence fell over the group as they took in the news and to everyone's surprise, it was Marin who broke it a few minutes later, standing from his place beside Tristan and Aramis to approach Henri, who did not look pleased to see him.

"I may share a regiment with the two who hurt your friend but I do not share their ideals or morals. You have my greatest apologies for their actions and the pain they have caused and also my sympathies for your injured friend," he stated firmly, though there was a level of sympathy lining his words as he held out his hand, wanting nothing more than to bury the hatchet with the angry musketeer, knowing the tense atmosphere the anger created would not be helpful for their sick and wounded.

For a few moments the musketeers were convinced Henri was going to snub the offered hand but to their relief he did, begrudgingly, take it and if he squeezed it harder than necessary Marin was courteous enough to keep it to himself, sending the man a gentle smile once he released his hand before turning and returning to his work with the medics.

"Right," announced Issac, a large smile on his face as he turned to Tristan, "Put us to work, what can we do to help?"