Well, my friends, we have come to the final chapter. Thank you so much for sticking with me on this story. You have no idea how much fun this was :D I think I am hooked! I'm pretty sure that there will be more Musketeer stories down the line, but since I'm being bombarded with requests for a new Supernatural story, I'm not sure how long it will be. I have ignored the Winchesters for far too long. Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave me comments! I love to read each and every one of them! Okay, enough of all that...on with the final chapter!

Cindy

Chapter 12

It took another four weeks for d'Artagnan to be fully back on his feet again, not quite at one hundred percent, but close. After one week he was allowed to be up and walking again, regaining strength in his legs that he had lost with his forced bed rest. After two weeks he was allowed a return to minimal training under the watchful eyes of his three brothers. With two weeks of minimal training, with a gradual increase in intensity under his belt, he was hard at it, training like a man on a mission. It would be another one or two weeks before Captain Treville would allow him on any big mission, much to the young Gascon's frustration. For the time being it was light duty, palace duty or short missions within the city limits and always with at least one of his brothers at his side.

It was during one of these palace duty placements that he had his first encounter with the cardinal since his whole ordeal had begun. The King and Queen were entertaining foreign dignitaries at a small reception and had requested the best musketeers in the regimen to stand guard during the festivities. The four men and their captain were placed around the room, all within eyeshot of each other when the cardinal entered the room through the door nearest to their youngest member. Four sets of eyes were immediately drawn in that direction and watched as the cardinal seemed to falter minutely upon seeing the man he had ordered to be tortured and killed standing straight and tall not ten feet away from him. The cardinal recovered quickly, lifting his chin as he sauntered up to the young man and stood before him. His cold eyes raked over the Gascon, his lip curled up into a hateful sneer.

"It appears as though you are much like a cat, musketeer," the cardinal hissed with distaste. "How many of your lives have you used up? You best be careful as the next time may be your last," he added with a smirk.

The Gascon met the cardinal's eyes and smiled. "You lost, Cardinal. I am still here, stronger than ever, and you…well, you have shown how weak you truly are, in spirit and character. God will judge your deeds and I am afraid that He will not look kindly upon them," d'Artagnan said, his chin held high as he held the gaze of the cardinal. "And as for a next time? There will be no next time, Cardinal. I know what kind of man you are now, as do my brothers. Men of honor will always defeat men without honor," he added with a cock of his head.

"Are you threatening me, musketeer?" the cardinal hissed, a flash of worry in his cold eyes.

"There is no threat, Cardinal. You know what you have done…God knows what you have done…and most of all, my brothers know what you have done. One always pays for their sins, it is only a matter of time," the Gascon replied.

The cardinal stood there for a few moments more, staring hatefully at the young musketeer. The others watched intently, but stood their ground knowing that the cardinal would not attempt anything in the presence of the King. Finally, the cardinal broke eye contact with d'Artagnan and turned away. He walked away, though one could see that his steps were not as sure as they usually were. The air of arrogance that normally surrounded him was replaced by a cloud of doubt. It was clear to the Inseparables and their captain that whatever the Gascon had said to Richelieu had hit a nerve. The four men schooled their faces as they turned their attention to d'Artagnan. Athos gave a slight tilt of his head…are you okay?...to which d'Artagnan returned the gesture with a small nod…yes, I am fine. The men relaxed then and the festivities went on late into the afternoon. Finally, they were released and they met together outside the reception hall.

"The cardinal did not seem happy," Porthos said as soon as the four musketeers and their captain converged.

d'Artagnan grinned as he met the big man's gaze. "Shall we just say he was quite taken aback by seeing me there?" he said.

"He had to have known that you had been rescued," Aramis stated as he looked around the circle of friends.

"I do not know. When he saw me he looked like he had seen a ghost," d'Artagnan replied.

"He would have questioned why Gregoire had not reported to him of your death and may have sent guards out to check the house. He would have to know that something had happened when they did not find any of his red guard, his prisoner or his interrogator," Aramis argued.

"He could have reasoned that the musketeers had found the house, but were too late," d'Artagnan offered. "It would be reasonable to assume that the bodies had been cleared out, including mine."

"Yes, that is a reasonable assumption," Captain Treville said.

"And since none of us have been to the palace since before your abduction, he probably also assumed that we were too devastated to perform our duties," Athos added.

"He probably thought that he had won and when he saw our young Gascon, all of which he thought he had gained crumbled before his eyes," Aramis said.

"What did he say to you? Did he threaten you?" Athos asked with concern.

"He spoke of cats and their many lives and said that I should be careful as the next one could be my last life," d'Artagnan answered.

Porthos growled, his hands fisting at his sides. "And what did you say in return?" he asked.

"I said that there would be no next time. I told him that he had lost and that only men of honor win in the end," d'Artagnan replied.

"Well, it did seem to take the wind out of his sails," Aramis stated.

"Still, we need to be extra vigilant. He is a vengeful man and I know that this does not sit well with him," Athos said.

"I do not need a babysitter, Athos," d'Artagnan said, the young man reading between the lines of what his mentor had said, all too aware of the protective nature of his brothers, a protectiveness that had gone into overdrive since his rescue from the cardinal's interrogator.

"But you do need extra eyes on your back. This is not up for discussion. Until we are sure that the cardinal will not try to bring harm to you again, you will not be left to your own devices," Athos drawled, his blue eyes staring hard at the young man.

"You leave the cardinal to me. d'Artagnan will not have to worry about looking over his shoulder," Captain Treville said, a small quirk curling his lip.

"Why? What is it that you know that we do not?" Athos asked curiously.

"I will fill you all in after I have a little chat with Richelieu," Captain Treville answered.

With that, Treville left his soldiers in search of Richelieu. He had a card up his sleeve and now was as good a time as any to use it.

MMMMMMMM

Treville entered the cardinal's office, surprising the man as he paced near the window by his desk. Richelieu turned quickly and narrowed his eyes as Treville made his way to him.

"Captain Treville, what a pleasant surprise," Richelieu said, a sickly sweet smile suddenly on his face.

"I think it will be not so pleasant once you have heard what I have to say, Cardinal," Treville answered, his distaste for the man before hidden under a smile of his own.

Richelieu studied the man before him then moved to sit behind his desk. "I highly doubt that whatever you have to say could possibly ruin my day, Treville."

"You mean ruin it more than seeing our young d'Artagnan, alive and well?" Treville asked.

The cardinal flinched slightly at that, but schooled his face as he looked up at the captain of the musketeers. "I am sure I do not know what you speak of. Why would your newest musketeer not be alive and well?"

Treville smiled and moved closer to the desk. "You know quite well why, Cardinal. After all, we did rescue the Gascon from your secret hideaway. I believe you will be in need of a new interrogator as well?" he said smugly. "And a few more red guard? Not that even an extra thousand red guard could equal my current regimen of musketeers, mind you."

"You speak of fairy tales, Treville. I have no secret hideaway," Richelieu spat.

"No, of course you do not. Why would you have need of such a place, far removed from the main parts of the city, seemingly abandoned and unused? You would never take men there to be tortured for whatever selfish reasons you may have. You are a man of God and He would frown upon such actions, correct?" Treville said.

The cardinal paled slightly, but kept his gaze upon Treville. "What is the purpose of this visit, other than to spout nonsense? I am a busy man and do not have time for such stories."

"You will leave d'Artagnan, and all of my men alone from this moment on. Your vendetta against the Gascon's family is over. You had his father killed, but failed in your attempt to end his life as well…both times. If you make another attempt, I will go to the King," Treville growled.

"You will go to the King with what!? He would never believe you, Treville," Richelieu hissed as he pushed to his feet. "You come here threatening me? I am untouchable! Why would you risk your credibility for the likes of that whelp? He is nothing! A poor farm boy from Gascony, nothing more!"

Treville took several moments to calm himself then glared at the man before him. "That whelp…that poor farm boy from Gascony has more honor and integrity in his little toe than you could ever hope to have, Cardinal. God sees all and you should be very frightened for your soul. Leave the Gascon alone, drop this fight you have with the musketeers and I will not be forced to go to the King," he commanded with barely contained rage.

Richelieu's heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to let the man before him see his fear. The King would never believe the captain of the musketeers, the cardinal thought to himself. He was merely attempting to strong arm him into obeying his commands. "Once again, Treville, the King would never believe you. I have his ear like no other. Your threats are meaningless."

Treville smiled and cocked his head as he continued to watch the cardinal. "You know, Richelieu…one should not hide important papers in the same place where he conducts his less than pious affairs. I can only come to the conclusion that you would keep these certain plans there rather than have them found in your rooms at the palace," he said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

The cardinal stumbled back at Treville's words, his hand reaching for the desk to steady himself. His face paled considerably as he stared wide eyed at his adversary. When he didn't speak, Treville continued.

"I see that you have nothing to say, Cardinal. Well, I have plenty," Treville began. "Imagine my surprise when one of my musketeers returned from your hideaway with a lock box, found hidden in the floorboards. Now, imagine my disgust when upon opening this lock box, I found plans for many different schemes that answer a great number of questions about past events. Among those were the plans outlining the framing of Athos using the captain of your red guard, Gaudet and the ordered killings of Alexandre and Charles d'Artagnan for personal and selfish reasons." Treville watched as the cardinal edged around his desk to sit heavily upon his chair once more. All color had now left the cardinal's face and it took him several moments to look up at the seething man before him.

"The…the King will never believe that these papers are m-mine. All I have to say is that they were manufactured to destroy me," Richelieu stammered, though it was easy to see that he knew he was in deep trouble.

"Papers in your own handwriting? With your seal?" Treville inquired. "There is no disputing who gave these orders, Cardinal. Past and future plans."

Richelieu took several deep breaths to steady himself before he spoke. "Why do you not take this to the King now? I am sure you would like nothing better than to see me exiled or hanged?" he asked weakly.

Treville considered the cardinal's words before he spoke. "I do not take them to the King now because I know that the things you have done, no matter how wrong, have been for your love of France, even your personal vendetta against Alexandre d'Artagnan. As you said, you have the King's ear and Louis does need someone with your political intellect to help guide his decisions. He needs you as his confidante, but now hear this, Cardinal…I can take this information to the King at any time. Leave d'Artagnan and my musketeers alone and your secret will be safe with me, but do or say anything against my men or myself and I will not hesitate to bring your crimes to light."

The cardinal took a deep breath and nodded at Treville. "You have my word, Treville," he said.

"Good," Treville said as he turned to leave the cardinal to his thoughts. He stopped and looked back around at the still pale man. "One more thing, Cardinal," he said.

"What is it now?" the cardinal asked warily.

"d'Artagnan has yet to receive his deserved compensation for the loss of his farm at the hands of LeBarge," Treville said with a slight grin.

The cardinal closed his eyes and sighed. "I will see to it that this oversight has been corrected immediately," he said in resignation.

"Thank you, Cardinal. It has been a pleasure," Treville said. He turned and walked away before the cardinal could respond and left the man shaking at his desk, a wide smile on his face.

Richelieu watched the man go with narrowed eyes. Once the door to his office had shut he pushed to his feet and swept the contents of his desk top to the floor in a fit of rage. How could he have been so stupid? He thought that keeping certain papers separate from his offices would protect his hidden endeavors, but had instead led to the captain of the musketeers knowing his deepest secrets. What a fool he had been. His uncontrolled desire to bring an end to the d'Artagnan name had been his downfall and there was nothing he could do about it. He knew without a doubt that if Treville even suspected him of any back door dealings, he would go directly to the King. His hands were tied and he had no choice but to honor his word with the captain, as much as it hurt him to do so. He could not touch the musketeers now. He frowned as he headed to the door of the office. Everything had changed now, all of his plans destroyed, all because of one insignificant little farm boy.

MMMMMMMM

The four musketeers watched Treville's departure then turned in the opposite direction to make their own. Their duties were done for the day and they had wine to drink and food to eat and merriment to participate in together. They left the palace grounds with a lightness in their steps that had been missing for so long. They each wondered in their minds what exactly Treville had meant, but since they trusted him completely they did not dwell. Treville would tell them when he deemed it time. They entered a pub near the garrison and took a table in a far corner. They ordered wine and stew and bread. They had been at the pub for less than a half hour when Athos noticed a woman enter. She wore a deep red, hooded cloak and kept to the shadows so there was no way to see her face, but Athos knew who it was just by the way she moved. He narrowed his eyes as he watched her take a seat at a table far removed from them, but where she could see them through the crowd.

"Excuse me for a moment," Athos said as he stood from his seat and moved away from the table.

"Where are you going?" d'Artagnan asked curiously, a mug of wine held tight in his hand.

Athos turned to his young friend and smiled. "I thought I saw someone that I know. I will be right back, after I say hello," he said before moving through the crowd, the smoke and shadows swallowing him up as his friends continued to drink. He could feel her eyes on him as he moved toward her and he couldn't stop the tremor that went up his back. Once he reached her table he sat in the chair opposite her, blocking her view of the rest of the room.

"What are you doing here, Anne?" Athos hissed, his eyes cold as he stared her down.

"What? I needed a drink? What is it to you?" Milady asked coolly.

"You are following us," Athos drawled. "You could have picked any number of pubs if you truly needed a drink."

"I happen to like this one," Milady replied with a shrug of her shoulder.

Athos reached across the table and gripped the woman's wrist, pulling a short gasp of pain from her. "You stay away from d'Artagnan, Anne...you stay away from him or I will finish the job that I failed at five years ago," he spat venomously.

Milady wrench her arm free and glared at her husband. "If not for me, he would be dead, Athos! I think I have the right to see him…to see that he has recovered!" she hissed.

"If not for you, he would have never been taken in the first place! You have seen him, now you will go and you will never come near him again! Do you understand?" Athos said through clenched teeth.

"Maybe I am not done with him, or with you," Milady said with a sly grin.

"You failed, Anne. Richelieu is not a stupid man…I am sure he at least has suspicions about how his secret house was found. I think that you will need to find a new employer. You did not destroy me and now that I know you are back, you will never achieve that goal. Leave Paris, I do not care where you go, but if I see you again I will finish you," Athos threatened.

When Milady simply stared at him, he leaned across the table, a sneer on his face. "I am not kidding, Anne. If you come near him again, I will kill you."

Milady glared at her husband then pushed to her feet. "Fine…have it your way. I will leave the boy alone, but if he comes to me, well, there is nothing I can do about that," she hissed.

"He will not seek you out. He knows the kind of woman you are now."

"We will see," Milady said before turning and walking away.

Athos watched as Milady left the pub then returned to his friends. He met the suspicions looks from Porthos and Aramis, both of which had discreetly watched the meeting while d'Artagnan had drank, blissfully unaware of the goings on around him. He shook his head and took his seat. d'Artagnan looked up as Athos sat and smiled widely.

"Athos! Did you find your friend?" the Gascon asked merrily, his hand clapping the older man's shoulder.

"No…it was a case of mistaken identity," Athos answered.

"Oh, I am sorry," d'Artagnan said with a frown.

"No need for that. Now, did you save me any wine?" Athos replied with a grin that nearly matched the one on d'Artagnan's face.

"Of course!" d'Artagnan quipped as he poured his mentor a mug of wine.

The evening rolled on and many more bottles were drank. Finally, Athos decided that it was time to get his young, drunk friend back to his room. The musketeers left the pub, the youngest held up by two of his brothers lest he face plant in the street. Once they had him in his room and tucked safely in his bed, the three Inseparables stood and watched for a few moments as he slept. They left the Gascon to his dreams and went their separate ways for the night.

It was a week later and the four brothers were sitting at their table in the garrison yard when a page from the palace entered the yard and walked directly up to them. "Charles d'Artagnan?" the page asked as he stood before the men. d'Artagnan rose to his feet and bowed his head slightly. "I am Charles d'Artagnan," he said in answer. The page handed the young musketeer a letter and a small parcel, bowed and left the yard without another word. d'Artagnan and the others watched as the young man left, then the three Inseparables turned their attention to their Gascon. d'Artagnan broke the seal of the letter and began to read. His mouth dropped open in surprise and he hurriedly tore open the parcel, his eyes going wide at what only he could see at this point.

Worried at such behavior, his brothers stood and moved beside him. "What is it, d'Artagnan?" Athos asked as he watched his protégé.

d'Artagnan looked up at his friends and smiled softly. "Compensation…for the loss of my father's farm…and a letter signed by the cardinal himself, apologizing for the erroneous delay," d'Artagnan answered, his voice nearly a whisper by the shock of it all.

"Seriously?" Porthos asked as he leaned his head over d'Artagnan's shoulder to get a look at the parcel. His eyes widened as his mouth dropped open. "'e is not kidding!" he cried as he clapped the young man on the back and let out a deep laugh.

Athos took the letter from d'Artagnan's hand and read it, his eyes coming up to meet the Gascon's gaze when he was finished. He smiled as he gave his protégé a nod. He turned when d'Artagnan lifted his eyes and stared at something past him. Captain Treville stood on the landing outside of his office, gazing down at his four best and smiled knowingly as he met each man's eyes. The four nodded back then watched as Treville returned to his office.

"Well, that was quite unexpected," Aramis stated.

"That it was!" Porthos quipped. "It appears as though drinks are on our young friend tonight!" he added with a grin.

The men left the garrison, their hearts lighter than they had been for ages. They reached the pub and took their normal table in the corner. They ordered drink and food, and while they waited, they simply enjoyed the pleasure of each other's company. They glanced at each other and smiled. Their brotherhood had been tested and though they had nearly lost their beloved little brother, they had come out of it with the brotherhood stronger than ever. Their food and wine arrived and the night was spent telling stories and laughing with each other. They were friends and brothers and forever they would stay that way…All for one, and one for all.

The End

That's it guys. I know that some probably wanted a more direct punishment for the cardinal, but in the realm of the show, that would have been nearly impossible. I hope that my version of his punishment will suffice! I thought about bringing Constance in for at least one scene, but just couldn't work it out on how to do that. I'm sure she will show up in a future story though. So, please let me know what you thought of the ending and once again...thank you so much for reading!

Cindy