Thanks so much for the continued support: ie: followers/reviews! You guys are amazing!
Here's a long intense chapter for your continued support!
Warning, this does get pretty dark, and though I share no graphic imagery of the sort, it does hint to what is happening. I do hope you like it.
With the final preparations put in place as Queen Anne had instructed, Athos, Porthos, Treville and his Royal Majesty, King Louis XIII all stepped into the bed chamber to join Aramis and the Queen.
At this point, no one found this social bedroom gathering awkward nor inappropriate in the slightest; a testament to their unique, intimate relationships with one another, being far too mature for such petty concepts to even register as 'wrong.'
Instead, this moment was regarded as a much needed comfort for each soul present as each man and woman had earned the trust of the other over the years and had come to learn that they would always be stronger as a group than they ever could apart.
Sharing a knowing glance with one another to boost their collective confidence, Treville gave a nod to Aramis and headed out of the room without a word.
Feeling lost, the king hung back and flailed his arms dramatically, suggesting method after method of how to battle this "pregnancy ordeal" and recalling some treatments he'd heard doctors use for pregnancies.
All of these treatments ranged from idiotic: "rapid exercise relieves pressure and is a pleasant distraction" to just plain dumb: "eating honey can loosen the insides" almost guaranteeing their chances of being avoided at all costs.
Louis continued to ramble on in this manner, until finally, Treville entered once more and politely removed him from the room, while everyone smiled and nodded their thanks at his somewhat humorous advice.
Before departing, Porthos clasped Athos' hand and then Aramis before wrapping them both up into a tight bear hug -as Porthos commonly did when he felt the need to convey deeper, more sincere emotions through physical interaction- after which he too left to follow the others.
The stakes were immensely high for everyone.
If this procedure went wrong in any way there would be dire consequences. If the queen may die, then so too would the heir of France and the Kings entire family.
Aramis would surely never forgive what he could not save this night; and though it would not be his fault, he would most likely resort to his suicidal tendencies his brothers had known he held within him since the tragedy in Savoy.
In addition to this, Aramis would suffer at the hands of the French governments' law and most likely hang for his actions; regardless of his kings' wishes should he choose not to execute him for failing to save his wife and child.
From here of course, Treville would lose his rank and perhaps his position in the kings musketeers based on his inability to protect the queen as his duty decreed and his association with her death. Despite his skill, his name would no doubt ruin his status and all credibility, leaving him without coin as a desperate old man.
Porthos and Athos would lose themselves if they could not save Aramis from his spiralling depression or death, and most likely retire from the regiment and either go back to a life of crime- destroying any happy prospects- or a life of wine and depression, which was no life at all.
As it was known throughout the regiment, most musketeers depended on each others as if brothers, for they were the only family they had left.
This was also true for Aramis, Porthos, Athos and D'artagnan and so with no family of brothers left to surround each other with, one by one they would crumble and succumb to a terrible end.
The only one to 'escape' such a loss was D'artagnan- though no doubt he would suffer miserably as his brothers -and indeed only family- crumbled around him; that is if this storm hadn't 'taken care of him'…
And so they must prevail.
Queen Anne of France must see another dawn.
And her only child must survive the birth -or else all was truly lost.
Athos and Aramis shared that they were well aware of all of this in a long single glance, supporting each other through a deep bond all musketeers developed.
Aramis broke the moment and took a shaky breath, before eying his lover, Anne, kissing her hand and helping her to lay her swollen body out comfortably, Athos giving them room but standing his ground should they need any assistance.
"I believe I am meant to check how you are progressing" Aramis began sheepishly, motioning to Anne what he intended.
Blushing slightly but comprehending the importance of the task, Anne put her full trust in Aramis, accepting and following his every instruction so that he may help her through his practise of medicine.
Athos ventured to the window to give the now doctor and patient a little privacy. There was really nothing to see out there now but the rain sliding down the black pane.
His gut twisted tightly at the thought of his young friend out there somewhere, though he had not mentioned his worries since D'artagnans departure, he was not as completely heartless as most believed.
He felt terribly useful and guilty in truth, for he was obviously of no real use here and should have been the one to make the journey.
He would never forgive himself if D'artagnan had gotten hurt out there, trapped in the storm, no brothers to support or comfort him.
Athos shook his head of the dark thoughts, no, D'artagnan was bright, he would find a way past this pathetic weather. He had strength and stamina, else he would be no musketeer. Athos had faith in the boy.
From behind him, Anne suddenly cried out and Athos fought the instinctive urge to turn, knowing his friend would know what he was doing more than he.
After an unnerving moment of silence there was a loud thump behind him and Athos could no longer hold back, turning he was shocked to see Aramis sitting on the wooden floor, looking lost and pale as parchment.
Darting to his friends side, Athos gently grabbed a-hold of his friends trembling shoulders and took a moment to contain his friend.
" 'M sorry, got a lil' dizzy" Aramis supplied, slurring his words slightly, his confidence obviously having deserted him momentarily and left him reeling.
Athos wiped the sweat of Aramis' brow with the back of his white sleeve, and gave him a hushed noise, bracing his black with his knees in a somewhat cradled position.
From the bed, Anne had lain back with a gasp to tackle a moment of pain, trusting her musketeers were finalizing some kind of method out of her line of sight.
"You can do this Aramis, I know you can. You've sown us all up hundreds of time, hell brought us back from the brink of death, so surely you can dredge one to life" Athos assured, his statement interpreted rather as a fact than a question.
In a moment of weakness, Aramis looked up to Athos, " B-but what I-if I kill them Athos" he whispered, almost not daring to say it aloud lest it come true some how. "I ca-cannot do this Athos" he almost begged.
Athos shook his head violently and gripped his friend more tightly to ground him before he lost his mind to madness.
"No Aramis, you will not kill them. You will save them. You must. If you do not, then they are guaranteed to die. Are you prepared to give in and let that happen?" Athos challenged, forcing Aramis to show strength.
"No-" Aramis whispered. "I beg your pardon?" Athos pretended, "NO" Aramis repeatedly, finding his voice and his confidence. Athos let free his mask to show Aramis a true warm smile and encourage much needed action, pulling his pale friend to his feet and escorting him to Anne.
Kneeling back into position, Aramis shared a look first with Athos, then with Anne, taking in a deep steady breath before letting it all out, determination setting in, the solider in him coming out for battle, prepared to go all the way.
" Okay Anne, it is time to push" Aramis instructed. And so it began.
I honestly hope that wasn't too dark for you guys, I generally don't analyze depressing situations to such an extent that life looks so bleak and miserable but I felt the need to convey the level of intensity…
Any how, I did leave you on another cliff hanger didn't I?…
This time I'm not sorry ;) I will post the next chapter soon, I promise!
