Im noticing that visitors to this story are consistently rising so im going to take that as a good sign that people are still reading this and keeping up to date, so thank you for following along! This will be a short chapter due to Christmas being only a few hours away for me, so I hope you are all well and merry!
Meanwhile, three hours later at the palace, Porthos was busying himself and his King in the ante chamber opposite the room Aramis and Athos were 'working in.'
He had become burdened with an immense amount of energy as the evening had grown into night and the queens situation had become more dire, until Porthos felt he could run a mile. He had to expel this somehow lest he get into a fight with Treville or even worse, King Louis.
Looking over to said king, Porthos noticed him sitting in a lonesome chair down the hall, head in his hands propped up by his elbows which were resting on his knees.
He was staring dead ahead at what appeared to be a silver tray of food, though his distant, watery eyes hinted that he was no longer seeing, but feeling.
Porthos slowly sauntered over to the miserable man, shuffling his feet slightly as he stopped, unsure of how to approach such a delicate situation, though he had served under the man personally for some time now.
'Oh, damn it all' Porthos caved and snatched two pies from the tray beside him, shoving one in his mouth and shoving another an inch from the kings nose, effectively snapping him out of his piteous thoughts.
"Here, get this down ya. You need to be strong for her when this is all over. Don't want you falling all over yourself like a weak pansy" Porthos offered gruffly, trying his best to play the role of Athos with his wise advise and Aramis with his caring actions.
Stunned by such a recommendation the king slowly accepted the treat and began to nibble. "There ya go, that's it" Porthos encouraged.
"If you're going to be a father you've gotta be strong for 'em young-ns" Porthos added with a more comfortable and sincere grin.
King Louis almost choked on his pie at this, as the words sank in. He had been so caught up in the balance of his wifes' health, he had not even considered the fact he would now also become a father if all things ran smoothly.
"Woah, take it easy!" Porthos demanded, clapping the king harshly on the back until he spat the mushy pastry onto the carpet and shaking his head profusely.
First the queen was in danger and now the king was choking to death! What next? Porthos speculated.
It was at this moment that the screaming began, he could hear the familiar pangs of agony radiating down the hall as the queen was finally forced to give birth.
He couldn't withhold his cringe as he imagined what must be going on in that room right now, the torment she must go through as well as his brothers.
Sliding down the wall, Porthos sat on the carpet beside his king, his legs no longer able to hold him as his mind could no longer maintain pace with the intensity this moment brought.
He could hear Aramis calling out instructions, sounding eerily calm as he always did when he was in his medical zone, Porthos grinning at that.
He could just imagine his face, he had seen it himself blearily many times while he himself was wounded and seeking the aid of his dear brother Aramis.
This was definitely a new challenge for his practises, though he was sure he would manage it- after which, the three must surely promote his nicknamed status from medic to Doctor Aramis.
As for Athos, he remained quiet, but Porthos knew he was present- probably right in the thick of it, offering his hand as the queen no doubt attempted to break his fingers. You could always rely on Athos to be there for you when you needed him most.
And so seconds moved to minutes which became timeless until finally a new kind of cry rang out through the hallways of the palace. And boy was it beautiful.
Sniff, sniff. Man that onion again, what am I doing to myself!? Haha, I hoped you enjoyed it as much as I did!
-As an aside this story is now 24 pages long and going strong thanks to all you lovely people. Up to this point I had written everything in one day- and ive never written anything this huge in my life all at once-not even essays- so I'm feeling very proud of myself.
Again thanks soooo much for sticking with me through this, I couldn't have done it without you- or the musketeers- ;)
Seriously though, you really helped me to finish one of these fanfic stories for once, so thx for that! ;)
