A/N: Happy 2019 everyone! Here's my next "episode" of this series. Hope you enjoy it! As always I look forward to your feedback, reviews and PMs! :)
The Loss
Chapter 1
The sun was streaming into the garrison practice yard. It was hot, and Aramis and D'Artagnan circled in the ring, swords drawn. D'Artagnan was limping slightly, still stiff from an injury that had kept him bedridden for several weeks. Aramis walked him through some strengthening exercises before relenting and engaging him in a light spar.
Christine sat by the table watching.
"Argh!" D'Artagnan cried as he stumbled and fell to the dirt floor strewn with fresh straw. Aramis ran forward immediately to help his brother up.
"Enough," he said, as he led a frustrated D'Artagnan to the table. Christine poured him a glass of water.
"You're making very good progress," Aramis remarked, "But you shouldn't push yourself too far too quickly. The muscles in your leg still require time to recover. In time you will regain your strength and balance."
D'Artagnan scowled. "How can you be sure when I can't even perform this simple sequence?"
"The problem is you're looking to replicate Athos instead of focusing on the parts of the sequence itself," said Christine, rising and picking up a rapier. She gestured to the practice ring and Aramis smiled at her as he took his position. This was one of the things that drove him mad about Christine – she was fearless and brilliant – the fact that she was kind, generous and beautiful were all just added bonuses.
She brandished her rapier and engaged Aramis with the sword. "In this exchange," she said amid the sword strokes, "Athos tends to plant his foot in order to pivot," she said, demonstrating Athos' sequence of attacks perfectly before drawing away.
Looking at D'Artagnan, she continued with the lesson. "You are lither than Athos, lighter too. Instead of a hard plant and pivot, use your speed," she said. She replicated the same sequence, but this time she introduced a quick ball-change instead of planting her foot. "By doing this instead to pivot, it'll be easier on your leg and you can cut the angle more quickly to gain the advantage," she said, as she stepped past Aramis' defenses bringing the blade to rest at his neck. Aramis grinned at her as she held him captive.
"What's this? A lovers' quarrel?" asked Cornet grinning as he entered the garrison courtyard.
Aramis laughed as he straightened and Christine lifted her sword to return to the table.
"You know, if you were to run him through, no one would blame you," the gregarious blonde man said with a wink. Christine laughed and smiled at him as she poured herself a glass of water. She liked Cornet. He and Aramis had a fun, competitive friendship forged in long years of fighting together. He teased Christine and constantly threatened Aramis that one day he would steal her away from him.
"You would like that, wouldn't you Cornet? Perhaps without my presence, you might be considered a more dashing figure," Aramis replied with a grin.
"You weren't assigned duty today," D'Artagnan said, smiling at the familiar banter. "Are you searching for something to fill your hours? I hear Serge could always use an extra hand…"
Cornet grinned at the younger man. "I'm actually seeking sanctuary at the moment. Let's just say I was visiting a sweetheart, when a mistress arrived. Situation wasn't made much better by the addition of her husband either," he said and the three men roared.
"I take it that cut to your cheek is from the husband?" Christine asked with a smirk.
"The mistress," Cornet replied. "The blow to the gut came from the sweetheart. I figured it was best to flee to the safety and security of an armoury with my life and body still intact."
"Serves you right," scolded Christine.
"Come now, my Lady, we can't all be as fortunate as Aramis to have somehow miraculously been blessed by your smiles," he said bowing to her and kissing her hand.
She laughed and Aramis stood with a grin. Withdrawing her hand from that of his friend's, Aramis stepped behind her and defensively wrapped his arms around Christine.
"D'Artagnan, if I'm ever found poisoned or stabbed in the back within the garrison, search Cornet's rooms immediately," he said smirking.
"Same," replied Cornet with an equal grin. "I always forget how much Aramis dislikes to compete for affection."
"Ha!" laughed Aramis, "As if there ever was any competition," he said. He kissed Christine's neck, and they all rolled their eyes, laughing.
Extricating herself from Aramis' arms, the four sat at the usual table.
"Where are Adam, Francois and Bernard this morning?" D'Artagnan asked. It was typical of Treville to send his men out in groups of four, so it was odd that Cornet should not be assigned to whatever duties the others were.
Cornet shrugged. "I believe they're on parade duty with Athos and Porthos. Frankly, I think I'd rather take my chances with a scorned lover than stand at attention at the palace all morning."
"Or two," grinned Aramis knowingly. Christine jostled him with her elbow, her eyebrow raised as she gave him an annoyed glare. His mouth fell open and he swallowed thickly, realizing the trap he had fallen into.
Cornet and D'Artagnan laughed as D'Artagnan pushed the rapier a little further from Christine's reach.
"Just in case this apology doesn't go well," he said with a grin.
Christine's eyes flashed at Aramis. "Well?" she said, "We're waiting…"
Cornet and D'Artagnan leant forward with goofy, expectant grins.
Aramis stood dramatically with a hand over his heart. "Whatever happened to brotherhood?" he asked.
"We've all seen the way Christine can wield a rapier," said D'Artagnan.
"Would saying that these relationships were only ever physical help?" Aramis asked meekly.
"Only if you want ours to become vestal," she said rising and crossing her arms with that fire in her grey eyes again that drove him crazy – wit and challenge and adventure.
He grasped her hand suddenly and pulled her towards him, kissing her deeply. The other men grinned as she lifted her hands to his neck. There was nothing better for them than seeing a brother happy.
"That's not always going to work," she said breathlessly as she drew back slightly.
"It's served me well so far," he said, kissing her again as the others groaned. Aramis would always be Aramis.
Suddenly an explosion tore through the air. The lovers broke apart, but Aramis kept his arms around her protectively. D'Artagnan and Cornet leapt to their feet.
"That sounded close," said Cornet with a knowing look at Aramis. He had been a musketeer for nearly as long as Aramis and the pair had fought many battles together. They were both very familiar with the sound of exploding black powder.
"There," said Aramis, pointing above the rooftops, "Smoke."
"Looks like it's coming from the marketplace," said D'Artagnan.
"It's market day," Christine whispered. She pushed Aramis away. "Go," she said. "I'll prepare the infirmary."
D'Artagnan and Cornet took off out of the garrison. Aramis hesitated for only a moment. He turned back to her and kissed her again.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too. Come back to me," she replied, and he took off after the others.
oOo