Special thanks again to those who reviewed and even the ones who didn't- I've noticed a lot of views & followers on this story so its keeping me highly motivated to say the least! I cant wait for you guys to see what I have in store so I'm going to update daily- I've been at this for about 8 hours straight since my wifi died- but hey this is productive right? Regardless, I'm loving it and I hope you are too !J

Anyways, now onto the next chapter!

It was the combination of sweet perfumes, foods and wines with the added element of two hundred, packed hot bodies that overwhelmed Athos' senses as he stepped through the doors with his brothers.

Giving a brief scan of the bustling room of activity is was obvious how much fun this evening was going to be he concluded dryly, not to mention how much harder their task of keeping an eye on their king and queen would be.

" Does anybody have a clear line of sight on their majesties?" Athos inquired as he bravely took the first steps through the sea of people towards a solitary wall near the back of the ballroom.

Following in his wake, Aramis took a quick glance around, "They're at our two o'clock down at the foot of the right stair case" he supplied, his keen eyes picking out the beautiful face of Queen Anne at her husbands side, a slight pang of woe coiling in his stomach.

"I don't see her-" D'artagnan countered, leaning his torso back and forth in an attempt to get a good angle around peoples heads, trying his best to spy their target while weaving through the crowd.

"That's because you're a short whelp" Porthos supplied teasingly from the back of their four man chain, clapping his hands on the back of D'artagnans' shoulders and walking him in the direction of Athos and Aramis before they could become separated. Getting lost in this mess would surely be a sentence for drowning alive in a mangle of limbs. Porthos shuddered at the thought.

"I wouldn't tease the boy if I were you Porthos, some day he will be much stronger and taller than all of us" Athos called over his shoulder as he continued to plough forwards, offering a slight smile to D'artagnan.

"Why do you insist on calling me a boy?" D'artagnan whined, completely ignoring the complement all together as they broke free from the outskirts of the large crowd towards 'the safe zone.'

Coming to a stop and resting their backs to the wall, Athos and Aramis both replied in unison, "Because you are," catching each others knowing glance with a grin that challenged D'artagnan to offer a retort.

D'artagnan rolled his eyes in exasperation and took a seat on an idle bench, Porthos coming to plop down beside him and draping a leather clad arm over his shoulder. "Don't mind them, they're just being immature because you beat them in a card game last night" he stated matter of factly, winking up at the two men mischievously.

Athos covered his true feelings of the night before with an indifferent expression while Aramis mouth dropped open as he took the bait.

"I am not being immature, im merely stating the truth Porthos" Aramis began in a slightly offended manner, "-And as to that card game, D'artagnan only won because Athos was too drunk to play and I was distracted by a beautiful maiden."

Wiggling his eyebrows suggestively Porthos added, "-I think you must have joined Athos in his cup then, brother, for I only saw men in that tavern... Perhaps you are referring to our cook?.. He does have longer silver hair after all and his beard was hardly noticeable in the half light-".

Before he could finish, Aramis' fuelled temper had caused him to half heartedly lunge at Porthos, intending to show his ill mannered, senseless friend a thing or two. How dare he suggest he had fallen for their cook! It was outrageous!

Porthos laughed heartily as Aramis swiping hands missed his jacket as Athos suddenly ripped him backwards by the collar, preventing a scene of any kind to unfold at such an event. The captain would be furious to say the least if Athos couldn't reign in his men within five minutes of stepping through the door.

"I'm sure that Porthos meant no offence by it Aramis, just a little humour is all" Athos soothed, shooting a cold glare towards Porthos that immediately sobered his teasing attitude and held him in line.

Offering a truce, Porthos clapped Aramis on the shoulder and with a serious tone apologized, "Yeah, 'course" - though the slight twinkle in his eyes alluded to his true intentions. Aramis seemed to deflate at this and nestled back into the wall, straightening his hat and shaking his head in disapproval.

"And you said I was the immature one" D'artagnan dared, grinning at his comrades before turning towards the ball so they could not reply.

Hope you liked it as much as I did! I try to add a little humour to everything I write since it's who I am- I don't know exactly if it worked, but hey, it was better than describing a golden laced chair ;) - so expect more of it, sorry? ;)

I promise this story will pick up, bare with me! ;) Leave a review please!