Author's note: Sorry for the wait! I'm not actually satisfied with how this chapter turned out… but sometimes you just have to move on… chapter 6 is already almost done… Well… hope you like it anyway!

Thanks to everyone who liked and reviewed this story! Keep them coming… they always make my day :D

Oh, and before I forget, I'm hoping to update this story weeks from now with chapter 6 because I'm going on holiday.

Chapter 5 Continue

After their briefing with Captain Treville the following morning Athos, Porthos and 'd Artagnan, had readied their horses and had set off for Orléans together with two other Musketeers; Bonnet and Laurent.

They were well outside of Paris now; heading to Orléans to escort the King's exiled brother, Gaston Duke of Orléans back to Paris. It was a rather odd assignment because the King had exiled his brother a long time ago after Gaston had tried to overthrow him and they hadn't seen or heard from each other since. Therefore, it would be a complete surprise for the Duke that the Musketeers were coming.

Orléans was a three days ride away from Paris. The Musketeers were anxious to get there because they were expecting a not so warm welcome. In fact, they expected de Duke to decline the King's invitation. But they had orders to bring the Duke to the Louvre no matter what.

And so, on the third day after their departure from Paris, they arrived at midday at the Duke's residence. There was not much going on in the courtyard, but as the five of them entered two stable boys came running to take their horses. When all of them had dismounted and the horses were led away to the stables a servant came towards them from the house, stopping in front of Athos. "Monsieur, what can I do for you?' he asked.

'My name is Athos of the King's Musketeers. We need to speak with the Duke of Orléans on orders from his brother the King,' he said.

'I will inform him that you are here,' the servant said, leading Athos and the others into the house. 'Please wait here…' gesturing towards a room on their right.

While they were waiting another servant appeared with drinks. When she had left the room after serving them Porthos whispered to 'd Artagnan, 'At least he's hospitable…'

'D Artagnan nodded,' Yes well, I hope he won't keep us waiting… and that he's coming with us without delay…'

'Don't count on it,' Athos remarked, having heard them talk.

And that's exactly what the Duke did. He kept them waiting for nearly two hours. Athos had sent Bonnet and Laurent outside to see if the horses were well cared for… Porthos and 'd Artagnan remained with him although Porthos' mood became grimmer by the minute. But then… finally Gaston, Duke of Orléans showed himself.

The three of them bowed when he entered the room.

'Well… what does my brother want from me?' Gaston asked, contempt in his voice.

'My name is Athos of the King's Musketeers,' Athos introduced himself. 'We have come here on orders of the King. He wants you in Paris as soon as possible and we are here to escort you there.'

Gaston was actually flabbergasted. He didn't know what to say (for once). His brother whom he had not seen or heard of was inviting him to Paris? 'Why?' he asked.

'I don't know, monsieur,' Athos acknowledged. 'He just said to bring you to him.'

'And he just expects me to up and leave?' Gaston asked still flabbergasted.

'Well… he is the King, Monsieur,' Athos stated.

Gaston started pacing the room agitated. What could Louis possibly want from him? Had he heard something about the business dealings he was involved in?

Athos patiently waited for a reply from Gaston. Porthos rolled his eyes impatiently.

After a few minutes Gaston addressed Athos again, 'Well I can hardly decline an invitation from the King, can I? But… I have a few matters that need to be handled before I can go… '

Athos inclined his head, 'Of course…'

Gaston nodded, 'We will have to make a detour. I have an appointment I cannot afford to miss… but I am confident we can depart tomorrow before midday.' He gestured to a servant who came running and instructed him to get rooms ready for the musketeers and to get the carriage ready for tomorrow morning. The servant bowed and quickly left to do his duty.

The following morning, they were on their way back to Paris. But it was slow going because of the carriage Gaston had insisted on using and the numerous servants and extra guards he had insisted on bringing. Athos expected to at least lose an extra day with travelling especially if they had to stay at inns at night and they had to detour a village because of an appointment Gaston had. So, Athos had decided to send Bonnet back with a message to Treville that they would be delayed at least one extra day.

On day two of their journey they stopped midday at an inn in a small town; although big enough to have a tavern, a church and a market squire. Gaston wanted to rest there before his meeting. Everything and everyone scrambled to accommodate him. Addressing Athos, Gaston said in a whisper,' I am meeting a man in a nearby tavern… I'm guessing you will want to accompany me and my manservant tonight… I trust you will be inconspicuous.'

'Of course,' Athos answered bowing slightly when the Duke walked away. Porthos came over to him asking, 'What was that about?'

Watching Gaston go inside the Inn he said, 'He's meeting someone in the tavern tonight and he's allowing me to go with him… albeit discreetly.'

'Wonder what he's got up his sleeve…' Porthos murmured. 'You want us to follow you?'

Athos shook his head, 'No, … just be on your guard…'

The Tavern was a busy place. There were a lot of patrons occupying the tables. The tavern had few windows and the place would have been dark inside except for the numerous candles and lanterns that had been lit around the room. It was remarkably clean Athos noticed while taking a seat at the bar, ordering a cup of wine; taking note of the other patrons while doing so. Most people present were participating in a card game; there were several games going on in the tavern, and there were a lot of people watching the various games; it was a loud affair with lots of laughter and cursing. Others were sitting at the bar like Athos himself. There was a girl serving drinks, a man with a cane sat alone in a dark corner, two other men at another table were conversing in a hushed manner. One of the men was the Duke of Orléans. Athos didn't know who the other man was but he was sure he was a nobleman; recognizing his fine clothing and posture.

The man behind the bar served him his wine, 'We don't get a lot of Musketeers around here,' he said, recognizing the fleur-du-lis on Athos' uniform. 'You here on business?'

'Just passing through,' Athos said with a slight shrug.

The barman was cleaning the top of the bar with a wet cloth, 'We don't get a lot of important people here. It's a small town...' he said in way of explaining, 'Only the Duke's been around a couple of times.'

This peaked Athos' interest. 'You know who the other man is?'

'Sure,' the man said. 'That's the Duke of Lorraine…'

'The Duke of Lorraine?' Athos questioned surprised. 'What do those two have to talk about?'

The barman shrugged, 'Don't know… It's not my business…' and he moved away to serve other patrons.

It was getting late when Gaston finally got up and left the tavern. He was followed by his manservant; his personal guard. The Duke of Lorraine stayed behind ordering more wine.

Athos payed for his wine and left the tavern, following the Duke closely but not too close. It was not far to the Inn they were staying at and when he saw Gaston safely enter the Inn, Athos decided he would check on the horses before going inside. He walked over to the stables, everything seemed quiet and he saw that the horses had been cleaned up, brushed off and well fed. He turned around to go back to the Inn and update Porthos, 'd Artagnan and Laurent on his findings. But before he could go anywhere a voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

'I did not expect to see your sad face around here…'

That voice…

But it couldn't be…

Athos turned around to face the man who had spoken. The man in question was leaning heavily on a wooden cane, but it was him none the less…

'Aramis?!'