Well, this is another story that's coming to an end. The last two chapters tonight. Thank you all so much for your wonderful feedback, thanks to all the readers, and the other writers in this fandom that keep the Musketeers alive for us all to enjoy.

Happy reading...

Aramis met Porthos outside the door to Athos' room with his bag of supplies and motioned toward the port of wine and cup. "I'll see to him," he said, and took the items. "He might let me treat his feet without threatening to feed me to the wild hogs if he doesn't feel like an audience is watching."

Porthos chuckled, gently slapped Aramis' shoulder, and then walked toward the kitchens. "Good —" he turned suddenly and raised his arms to his sides, "the cook is makin' beef stew an' 'ard bread. She said I was welcome to taste it." He smiled. "Don't get fired upon."

Aramis quirked a smile, opened the door, and entered the room. Athos still slept in the chair, his head propped on his fisted left hand. He was wrapped with a blanket around his shoulders. The fire was nearly out, but hot coals still glowed beneath the bars of the firedog. A small lantern in the room flickered and Aramis adjusted the wick. He placed his bag on the floor next to the chair, and then placed the port and cup on the small table beside the chair where Athos slept.

Aramis tossed another log onto the fire and squatted. He blew onto the coals, watched them flicker and glow, and then suddenly the dry log ignited. Flames surrounded its shape. Wood cracked, snapped, and flames danced as it slowly steadied into an easy burn. He hissed when he touched the heat of the poker and sucked on the fat of his thumb.

"How's the queen?" Athos asked. He rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger and then watched Aramis turn on the balls of his feet to look at him.

"Feeling well enough to kick Dr. Lemay and everyone out of her apartment to enjoy a hot bath." He smiled warmly and then stood. "What happened?" He reached for his bag, removed his bandages and salves, and then sat across from Athos. He slapped his right thigh and said, "Let me look at your foot."

"It's fine, Aramis," Athos said and shifted back against the chair. "Does Treville have a plan to move on the assailants?"

Aramis winced and said, "The monastery caught fire."

"Porthos said as much. Does anyone know how it started?"

He looked at Athos. "The leader, Souder and his men, stockpiled gunpowder by the gates… one of the patients tossed a torch and…" he shrugged, "the explosion sent waves of fire through the buildings." Aramis frowned and said, "There's a group of musketeers and red guards who are still at the monastery. Several monks, patients, Souder and most of his men lost their lives. You are fortunate to have escaped when you did. Richelieu is already making plans for the members of nobility who were supporting Souder —"

"Nobility?" Athos interrupted.

Aramis shrugged and said, "Someone was supplying them with enough funding to destroy several buildings in Paris and enough for a wagon load of gun powder… Perhaps a nobleman was using taxes as a wedge to cause the peasants to rebel?"

Athos nodded and exhaled slowly. He looked at the fire and winced when Aramis cupped a hand around his foot and raised it to his knee.

"The swelling isn't bad," Aramis said, and gently applied pressure to the ankle. "How much pain are you in?"

"It's not as painful as it was," Athos said and watched Aramis apply the bandage. "Could the Spanish have funded the rebellion?"

"Possibly," Aramis said. "The cardinal is keeping all options open at this point." He pointed to Athos' other foot. "Did you walk the entire way or were you able to ride?"

Athos looked at the fire and said, "I walked. The mare that was loaned to us needs to be returned," he rubbed his forehead with his fingers and closed his eyes.

"In time," Aramis said. "You look like you took a beating." He tied off the bandage and then released Athos' foot. Aramis leaned forward and looked closely at Athos' chin. Bruising ran along the left side of his head. "Ribs? Back?"

Athos licked his bottom lip and said, "Bruising, nothing more."

Aramis stood, poured them each a glass of wine and then handed the cup to Athos. "You need to rest, stay off those feet for a while, and let your body heal. You're going to be walking around like an old man if you don't allow yourself some time to sleep and let your muscles relax."

Athos took a sip of wine, swallowed slowly, and listened as his stomach grumbled.

"I'll find you some dry clothes," Aramis said.

"Porthos mentioned finding me something."

"Porthos is preoccupied with the cook's stew."

"These are almost dry," Athos said and then yawned. He leaned forward, finished the wine, and then nodded when Aramis took the cup. "What do Treville and the cardinal plan to do?"

"King Louis wants to put the assailants on display as evidence to what will happen to anyone who ever tries to harm him or his queen again."

Athos sighed and rubbed his face. "That will only anger the people… it will drive a wedge between the classes." He looked at Aramis. "Does Treville agree?"

Aramis shrugged and said, "The king is overwhelmed, scared, and dare I say it, panicked."

"Rightfully so." Athos stood with a groan. The blanket fell from his shoulders and he walked toward the bed where he sat and leaned back against the pillows. He draped his arm over his eyes and took a deep breath. "She's an impressive woman, the queen."

Aramis nodded with a remorseful wince. He placed the empty cups on the credenza and then added another log to the fire. "I know," he said and then grabbed the blanket. "The king did threaten to hang you… and then later he mentioned putting you before the firing squad."

"Perhaps he can wait until tomorrow."

Aramis chuckled, and tossed the blanket over Athos. He walked toward the door and paused before opening it. "I'm glad it was you…"

Athos grunted.

"Had it been me that was with her…" Aramis took a deep breath, looked at the wood grain of the door, and exhaled slowly, "I don't think I would have returned with her."

Athos grunted again. "You would have."

Aramis shook his head, "No," he said, and looked at Athos, who looked him in the eyes, "I wouldn't have." He forced a sad smile. "Get some rest." He opened the door and left.

Athos listened to the click of the door as it shut.