More Than Our Captain – Athos
By Rowana Silverwind
Spoilers: This story is a tag to the episode "Commodities" in Season 1 and contains spoilers.
M.M.M.M
Treville looked up at the four men who stood before him. They each stood calmly at attention, the picture of proper soldiers returning to report to their captain. Which for these four clearly meant they were hiding something.
"I trust you saw Bonnaire safely back to Le Havre?" he asked patiently.
Athos took the lead as always, nodding slightly. "Of course."
Treville leaned forward on his desk and selected a paper missive and waved it at them. "So you know nothing of this report I received from his ship stating that he never arrived?" he continued. His eyes narrowed suspiciously at each of them.
They each put on a display of shock and surprise that might have been convincing to anyone else. d'Artagnan clearly still needed some practice as his widened eyes barely hid the amused twinkle behind them. Aramis doffed his hat and shook his head in sympathy. Prothos just growled, making it hard to tell if he was upset their charge was missing or upset he hadn't been the cause.
Athos barely even blinked at the accusation. He just raised one eyebrow. "That is a surprise. He was enjoying the hospitality of the harbor when we left him."
"Perhaps he did a bit too much celebrating?" Aramis suggested hopefully.
"Or ended up on the wrong end of a fist," Porthos added, in a tone that suggested he wouldn't have minded that option.
"Or maybe he just got...lost?" d'Artagnan chimed in, wincing slightly at how lame that sounded.
Treville raised his eyebrows at the four of them and let the awkward silence drag. "Such a shame your duties called you back to Paris before you could see him safely aboard his ship," he answered in a tone that betrayed that he didn't believe them in the slightest. "The Cardinal will be most disappointed."
"Oh, well you know how much we hate to disappointed his Eminence," Aramis replied, making a show of looking truly remorseful that no one believed for a moment.
Treville glared at them. "Dismissed!" he barked sharply.
Aramis grinned and gave a neat bow before turning to leave. Porthos was on his heels, hurrying him out the door before he could say something cheeky. d'Artagnan looked distinctly relieved to have escaped scrutiny, while Athos just nodded shortly.
"A moment, Athos," Treville added suddenly, halting their retreat.
All four turned turned to regard their Captain for a moment, trying to decide if the were in trouble after all. Athos gave the other three a meaningful look. Porthos and Aramis caught on at once, tugging a reluctant d'Artagnan outside and closing the door behind them.
Athos regarded Treville evenly over the desk. His calm stance perfectly disguised the turmoil he was feeling inside. The incident with Bonnaire was nothing to distress him. It was what else had happened on the road from Le Hevre that had him longing to return to his room and drink until his memories were lost. He still wasn't sure if what he'd seen was reality or a nightmare, though d'Artagnan's presence seemed to confirm it was painfully real. How did one adjust when long believed truths were shattered?
Treville's voice broke him out of his thoughts. "You want to tell me what happened?"
Athos raised a curious eyebrow. "You already seem well informed."
"Not Bonnaire," Treville shook his head. "The less I hear about him the better. I want to hear what happened on the road from Le Hevre."
"Nothing we couldn't handle," Athos replied dismissively.
"I doubt that," Treville scoffed. He eyed the younger man critically.
Athos shrugged, but inwardly he was shaking. He did not like where this conversation was going. "Porthos was injured. We had to stop to treat his wound. Then we dealt with the Spanish spies and delivered Bonnaire to the Cardinal. It was just as we reported."
Treville raised an eyebrow. "Which does not explain why Porthos and Aramis arrived in Paris with Bonnaire, alone. Then you and d'Artagnan returned nearly half a day later, looking like you rode through a forest fire. Care to explain that? Or should I fetch d'Artagnan and see what he has to say about it?"
Athos glared at his Captain, seething inside. He did not approve of dragging d'Artagnan into this conversation. He knew the boy would keep his promise to say nothing. Yet he also knew it would tear at the boy's heart to have to lie to the Captain. Treville knew that Athos wouldn't let that happened, damn him. The man was forcing his hand.
"We stopped at la Fere," he stated icily.
Treville's face darkened and he leaned back slowly. "How was it?" he asked carefully.
"It's gone," Athos replied dismissively. He turned away, though his eyes weren't really seeing the room around him. He had long given up any attachment to his old chateau. In some ways he was glad it was gone. If only all memories could be erased so easily.
Treville raised a critical eyebrow at the implication. "Was that necessary?"
"Not my idea."
Treville frowned deeply, regarding the younger man with a suspicious look. "I'm sure it wasn't d'Artagnan's. What aren't you telling me?"
"It's not important."
Athos turned to leave. He was finished with this conversation. It was bad enough he had already burdened d'Artagnan with this secret. His Captain already knew something of his past and that was more than enough. He could deal with this on his own. It was best for everyone.
"Athos." Treville rose from his chair and came towards him purposely. He blocked the door and crossed his arms, meeting the younger man's furious glare evenly. "Tell me what happened."
Athos stepped back his eyes flashing with anger and pain. For a moment he considered just pushing past him and running straight to the nearest bottle. It did not concern the Musketeers so it was none of the Captain's business. What right did the man have to push him like this? Athos growled and turned away to stalk to the window. He gazed out for a long moment.
"It was her," he said at last. It was barely above a whisper.
"You're certain?" Treville asked in disbelief. He didn't have to ask who she was. The both already knew.
Athos nodded shortly, turning to meet Treville's eyes. His throat clenched painfully. Saying it made it all so much more real. "d'Artagnan saw her," he confirmed.
"My God," Treville murmured. He leaned back against the wall and rubbed his forehead absently. He looked Athos over again as if to reconfirm he was still in one piece. "She burned the chateau?" he guessed.
Athos nodded tightly. "And tried to kill me," he added. And I wanted her to, he thought distantly. If that fool boy hadn't returned, she might have even gone through with it. Then he wouldn't be here now, torn apart by regret and sorrow. What ever she had become, it was his fault. How could he ever be forgiven?
Treville looked at him sharply. "d'Artagnan stopped her," he deduced slowly. "Thank God for that."
Athos wasn't sure God had anything to do with it, not for someone like him. Aramis would probably disagree, but he had more faith than Athos ever would.
"She wants justice," Athos stated. His tone was dismissive, as if he almost didn't care whether she succeeded. Maybe he even deserved it.
"Revenge is not justice," Treville said firmly.
"It is when it's justified," Athos replied smoothly.
"And this is not!"
The fierce anger in the older man's voice surprised Athos. He raised his eyebrow, curious by the reaction. Treville stood with a look of fury in his eyes and would have made lesser men back down. As it was, Athos met his gaze squarely, but he was almost confused by the reaction. He couldn't fathom why the Captain would take this so personally.
"Letting her take your life serves no one." Treville dragged out each word very clearly. He step closer until he and Athos were nearly toe to toe. "Not you. Not her. And certainly not your fellow Musketeers. Can you honestly say they would not mourn you?"
Part of him did not believe the world would miss one such as him. Yet a growing part knew that Treville was right. Against his better judgement, he had let these men become a part of his life. Porthos, Aramis, even d'Artagnan were more family to him than his own had ever been. Could he honestly abandon them so easily? No. At least not without a fight.
"No," he admitted finally. His stance relaxed and his eyes betrayed his reluctant acceptance.
Treville looked relieved and stepped back with a gentle nod. "Good." He moved back towards his desk, looking serious. "The King may not always recognize your worth, but I do. I've already lost too many good men. I can't afford to lose any more. That includes you."
Athos gave a single nod of agreement. The loss of Cornet and his group had hit the contingent hard. Combined with that and the Cardinal's constant push for more power and authority, they needed all the Musketeers at their best. He couldn't promise that knowing his wife still still lived would not plague his every thought. He could only promise himself he would not let that knowledge lead to the downfall of his fellow Musketeers. Even if he had to fight to stay alive to do it.
Even so, he still felt the need for a strong drink. "If there's nothing else?" he ventured carefully.
Treville eyed him skeptically for a moment. "Just one thing. You should tell those two about this. You need someone to watch your back."
Athos raised an eyebrow at the request. "d'Artagnan knows," he reminded. He really did not feel the need to share with anyone else, even Porthos and Aramis. They had enough of their own demons without adding his own.
Treville shook his head. "d'Artagnan is only one man, and a young one at that. Think about it. They won't forgive you if you keep it from them."
Athos nodded thoughtfully. Treville was probably right. He should tell them, but not now. For now, Porthos had his own wounds to heal and not all of them physical. Athos decided he would bring it up later. After he'd had time alone to drown these cursed memories. It was definitely time for that drink now.
Looking satisfied, Treville sat back at his desk and returned to looking over reports. "Dismissed," he told his Musketeer curtly.
Relieved to be released, Athos turned and headed quickly for the door.
"And Athos." The swordsman paused, his hand already on the door handle. "I trust you'll be sober for muster tomorrow morning. Set a good example for the recruits."
Athos felt his mouth quirk into a small smile. He nodded his agreement and left. Sometimes Treville was far more perceptive than he expected. He would have to be more careful in the future not to let things slip. Still, at least he knew his secrets were safe with his Captain. Treville always looked after his own. It was just who he was.
"Treville guided each of us as men...do you remember him as nothing more than your Captain?" - Athos, We are the Garrison
M.M.M.M
Author's Note: It took me a while to settle on what to do for Athos, but I enjoyed writing this scene so early in the series. Thank you to all my lovely reviewers! You have all been a great inspiration to help me finish this little series! I hope you all enjoyed these little scenes as much as I enjoyed writing them.