The next time Aramis woke up, Porthos was over at the fireplace getting it stoked up. Since Aramis wasn't in a position to see it or Porthos where he was, and since it was otherwise rather dark in the room, Aramis thought, 'Where did they go? Did those men...'
As the newly-started fire began to light the room, Porthos saw that Aramis was awake, his eyes darting here and there around the room as if he was searching for something…or someone. But as soon as the room was illuminated and he spied Porthos, he almost visibly calmed down. 'He thought we left him alone,' Porthos surmised, 'or he thought he was back in that pit because of the darkness'.
Sad that the ordeal still caused his brother unease and fear, Porthos resolved to make sure the fire was kept fully going at all times.
Porthos came over and sat down next to the bed, asking him, "You up to trying some more food? You're skin and bones, mon ami.
Aramis nodded, and Porthos took off upstairs to see what Jehanne might have available. He no sooner left than Aramis dozed off again. Athos came to sit with Aramis.
'He is so pale, so thin,' Athos thought. 'He is so weak. We need to try harder to get him to eat more. ' It was a little less difficult to give him water, as it was easier for him to take.
'We need to get a message to Treville,' he thought. 'The man has to be wondering what happened, at this point. Maybe Jehanne's husband could find someone in the nearest village that would take a message to Paris. We just need to wait until he himself gets back to ask him.'
Porthos brought back enough chicken soup for each of them, and when Aramis awoke again,they sat down around the bedside to enjoy it. They all noticed that Aramis ate almost his whole bowl for the first time. It seemed to make a difference having them all doing as he was doing.
After they were finished, his brothers regaled Aramis with the happenings at the garrison while he was gone. He seemed to enjoy hearing about all his comrades, even though he gradually grew more drowsy, and finally fell asleep after hearing that Serge had to do some detective work to discover who had been snitching food from kitchen.
"That's the longest he's stayed awake since we got him back," Porthos said with a big smile. "Tomorrow, we need to ask Jehanne if she can make a dessert for him, maybe something with apples. You know his sweet tooth."
"Yes, and we know yours as well, brother," Athos teased him, and d'Artagnan gave Porthos' shoulder a friendly hit.
They all enjoyed a moment of lightheartedness after having been much too close to tragedy. Their laughter was quiet, out of deference to their sleeping brother. But they were now once again feeling they were on the road , instead of the rocky one of sleeplessness, worry and panic. It was a good night.
It wasn't until several nights later that Denis, Jehanne's husband came home again, having at last concluded his business in Paris.
He came downstairs to see how his guests were faring, and expressed happiness that Aramis seemed to have pulled away from death's door.
Athos took him aside before he began to once more ascend the stairs. "A word with you, monsieur?"
Denis turned back to ask, "How may I help you?"
"We wondered if we could impose upon you once more to do us a favor?"
"And what might that be?" Denis asked, curious now.
"We were hoping that you might go into the nearest village and inquire if there would be someone to take a message to our captain in Paris," Athos told him.
Denis looked thoughtful as he paused a moment. "It would have to be someone who could be trusted with keeping the matter confidential," Denis said. "I came through the village before I arrived home, and heard tales of men asking questions about missing Musketeers. The men were not gentle with their questioning, either."
"We will leave the choice of the right man to you, monsieur. You know the people in this area far better than any of us."
"I have an idea of who to go to for this assignment. I will let you know. Good night, monsieurs."
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Jehanne came to examine Aramis again bright and early the next morning, just as her husband was leaving on Athos' request.
She was very delicate in her examination, but they could all see Aramis wincing in pain when he touched his side. She saw their concern, and told them, "Nothing new is wrong. It's just that particular wound has been forcibly opened more than once, and as a result, it's taking longer to heal. But it is healing," she emphasized the last sentence, to their immense relief.
Athos took her aside after she had finished, and asked her, "Should we be assisting him to sit up, and then stand?"
She shook her head. "No, let him have a few days more rest first. It takes time to recover from the trauma he was put through. He is barely able to lift his arms yet. Go slow, Athos," she concluded, with what she hoped was an encouraging smile.
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Denis headed for the village the next morning.
When he reached the village, he headed for its only tavern, fairly sure he would find the man he had told Athos would be good for his errand.
A slight, middle-aged man, tawny-headed, dressed in farmer's clothes, sat in the very back seat of the tavern.
Denis looked around. Only two others were even in the place this early in the morning, one occupying the other table against the back wall. Denis paid him no mind, intent on finishing his errand and hurrying back to his home.
As he had suspected, Henri needed the money and quickly agreed to do the errand. Denis heaved a sigh of relief as he left the table and exited the tavern. He thought he might have enough time to get most of the day's planting done if he hurried.
When he reached the right end of the tavern, though, he was suddenly grabbed and yanked around the corner of the building, a hand clamped tightly over his mouth.
"Where are the Musketeers?" a low, growling voice demanded of him.
Sorry about the little cliffhanger!
I may have another piece done by tomorrow or Tuesday, if all goes well. You never know, though, when taking care of a very active 1 1/2 year old!
Enjoy! And as always, thanks so much for reading, reviewing, following.