The two days went by way too fast for Aramis liking. And soon he found himself standing in the court, his uniform washed, the hat hiding his bandages, his eyes tired. Treville gave out orders and information for the day. While others would be guarding the king while he's haunting, Aramis had so stay in the garrison. Clean the barns, practice and maybe he was allowed to stand guard in the evening. He has never hated the captain more than in this moment. If he had to go to work again, he wanted to work normal. These were tasks for recruits! But he didn't say anything, knowing it would only get worse. So he made his way up to the burns, fetching a pitchfork at the way. A horse neighed as he entered the barns. His horse.
"Hey there, beauty." A small smile laid on his lips as he pet her. The animal seemed to be the only one who didn't hate him, Aramis thought. After a few minutes he started his work, at noon he was ready with his task. On the one hand he was thankful for the break. His muscles arched and his head pounded. But on the other hand he didn't want to have to sit outside with the others and there scolding looks.
He sat down on a table, which was still empty. Only a few musketeers were already back in the garrison to eat. Aramis was thankful for this, and took the bowl of soup Serge placed in front of him. He wasn't hungry at all, so he ate a few spoons before pushing away the bowl.
His headache got worse as the half regiment entered the garrison, laughing and talking. The haunt was probably over. Sighing, Aramis took out his beloved bottle from his coat and took a few drops. It helped nearly immediately. The sounds around him blurred and seemed as if they were miles away. He felt his arching back relax and smiled in relief. Suddenly all of the scolding looks didn't seem to count anymore. It seemed as if they weren't there. They were far away, as well as the other musketeers. He felt alone in a good kind of way.
"You need to eat more." Athos sat down beside Aramis and ripped him out of his own, peaceful world. "You need to keep your mouth shut for once. You were always so quiet, why not now?" The marksman put his head into his hands, massaging his temple. This Athos was annoying.
"Eat and I will be quiet."
Aramis stood up annoyed. He had enough of Athos little games. He shot the Comte de la Fere one last angry look, before he went to where the targets for the shooting-practice stood. The marksman took one of the guns and loaded it. He aimed, shot and failed. He hit the target just at the outermost circle. Screaming frustrated, Aramis threw away the weapon. His vision was blurry and his hands shook. His headache seemed to get worse through the loud sound of the gunshot.
"Destroying the weapon won't help you hit the target," the captain explained calmly. Aramis was about to say something cruel, before he was able to hold back. He got say things like this to Athos, but not to his captain. So he decided the best thing was to remain silent.
"Try again. You just need a bit of practice until you have the feeling for it back. A blow to the head isn't so easy to cope, but I'm sure you can make it. But besides the practice, you need a clear head for this. You understand? No one can shoot when he's drugged."
Aramis looked at Treville the first time in days. The captain has watched his soldier already for a while. The man who has had left Savoy wasn't the same who entered it. The musketeer in front of him as pale and thin, the eyes empty and tired. Everyone was able to see the pain he was in, the problems he had to deal with. And everyone wanted to help, but Aramis just wouldn't let anyone near him. He just pushed away everyone. Oh, how many men and women have already tried?
Not only Athos and Treville himself visited the marksman. There were medics, Serge, other Musketeers, even Claire, affair of him. But no one was able to talk to him, help him.
"I'm not drugged." Aramis took another gun. This time he didn't look at his target. He turned his head and closed his eyes, before he pulled the trigger. This time he hit the middle. Maybe his senses weren't the same at the moment, but at least his instinct was still there. He smiled at the captain satisfied.
I know it's a short chapter, but since I've already updated today, I think it will be enough! :)
