AN: Thanks to everybody sticking with this story, despite the current chapter delays! Thank you to my guest and Julie who I can't reply to as well :) I think Jule has come closest to placing that line with her Moulin Rouge suggestion:

"I had come to write about truth, beauty, freedom, and that which I believed in above all things: love."

While I'm more acquainted with Moulin Rouge than the bible (another popular suggestion) that ain't saying much! Starting to think it is just bizarre coincidence.

Anyway, here's a new chapter. Enjoy (and don't kill me) :)

Chapter Twelve

"What you see in there will hurt. It will drive you to anger. I would not blame you if you turned around and drew your sword on every man out here. But when you go in, you have to remain calm."

Lecocq had begrudgingly agreed to let Porthos see Aramis. It seemed he was getting frustrated and was willing to try anything to get answers. So Athos and Porthos stood outside the cell with a contingent of guards and Lecocq looking on with his arms crossed.

The door was opened, torches placed inside, and then Porthos stepped in. Athos hung at the threshold, just out of sight, listening.

"Aramis?"

There was the sound of clinking chains, a soft whimper, and then a harsh growl from Porthos.

"No… no…"

"You need help. Let me have a look."

"Not you."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Porthos?" Aramis sounded slightly unsure.

"Yes, it's me. Just me. You know I won't hurt you."

"But you're his. Stay back."

Metallic clinks.

A choked off gasp.

"I don't belong to anybody but myself. If you know anything about me, you know that." There was a sadness to Porthos' voice that shouldn't have been there.

"You're the Comte's pawn, just like I was. No more… no more..."

"It doesn't matter, Aramis. Whatever you think, it doesn't matter. I can see you're hurting, just let me help with that."

"It matters."

"Not to me. Do you think I care where people come from? Or what they were? Athos isn't a Comte any more. He's a good man. And I'm not his pawn, I'm his friend."

"He'd like you to think that. He's not your friend."

"No, he's not, he's more than that. He's a brother."

Athos leaned his head against the stone wall and tried to keep his stoic composure. Aramis wasn't in his right mind, he wouldn't be saying any of this if he was. Maybe Porthos would be able to break through the madness.

A brief bark of harsh laughter came through the open door. "Oh how blind you are."

"I can see perfectly well. What happened to you? What has twisted your mind so?"

"He would have left you to die! Did you know that? When you were struck, bleeding, he refused to take you to safety. I had to raise my hands to him. Shake him. His own past mattered more than your life... Don't you care about Porthos… I had to shout at him - Don't you care about Porthos?! No. He didn't. He doesn't."

Athos couldn't help but bite his lip at those brutal words coming from Aramis. True, he was haunted by his past back then, but he never meant to put Porthos in danger.

"He cares. Deep down you know he does."

"Stop lying to yourself. Stop taking his lies and wolfing them down. Your blood was on my hands and he didn't care… There's so much blood on my hands, Porthos. So much."

"There doesn't have to be. Let me help."

A pause.

A series of shuddered breaths.

And then a quiet voice.

"There is one thing you can do… Will you hear my confession?"

"I'm no priest."

Suddenly a spike of fear assailed Athos' heart. Lecocq straightened and seemed to lean forwards with interest.

"It's been so dark… there's no air, just like confession. I need to confess."

At that Athos pushed to his feet and made for the door. "Por-"

He didn't get far as Lecocq motioned to his guards. They pushed him back against the wall and covered his mouth.

"You don't have to."

"Confession is the path to absolution. It is the only way to clean my hands."

"Let me clean them for you. I can help."

Athos growled and tried to pull away from the guards. They were on dangerous ground now. How could he have let this happen? Athos had warned Aramis against revealing the truth to Lecocq and his men. He thought Porthos would bring Aramis to his senses, he couldn't have imagined Aramis would freely confess to Porthos. Porthos was supposed to help, not lead to Aramis' condemnation. This needed to stop.

"They're all here in the dark with me, the ones I've hurt... the ones I've killed."

Lecocq looked like the cat who was about to get the cream. Athos fought to get away, but he was held fast.

"No Aramis, forget them. It's just you and me here now."

"They won't let me forget. Especially not the innocent. There are so many, Porthos… so many."

"Ssshh, you don't need to speak of this. Just rest."

"They won't let me rest either. Those whose hearts I tore apart, those buried in the snow, those Romero and-"

"Hush, Aramis." Porthos spoke over him in a strained voice. "Close your eyes, rest, sleep."

A moment of silence hung over the gathered men. Everybody seemed to hold their breath, waiting to hear what words would come next…

But there was nothing.

Athos let out a slight sigh of relief. Maybe Aramis had drifted off, maybe Porthos had headed off his confession.

Suddenly Lecocq snarled and pushed forwards into the cell. The guards let go of Athos and they all followed after. They found Lecocq bearing down upon Aramis, straddling him and leaning an arm into his throat.

"What were you going to say? Say it!"

Porthos went to separate them, but he was set upon by the guards and pushed back to the wall.

Aramis' mouth opened and closed. His throat worked. But only one word came out.

"Nothing."

"Don't lie! You said you were going to confess, so confess!" Lecocq pushed a little harder and Aramis' face screwed up against the pain.

"You're killing him!" Porthos bellowed.

"He can't say anything if you won't let him breathe!" Athos stepped forwards, but a guard pushed him back.

"It'll be me or the noose cutting his breath off. Does it really matter which?"

Aramis weakly struggled beneath Lecocq. The man nearly trembled with rage, staring down at his prey with such vitriol.

"Speak!"

Lecocq suddenly released his hold and stood up. Aramis gasped in breath after breath, he didn't seem fully aware of events around him.

"No matter." Lecocq looked down at Aramis between his feet as if he were considering the fate of a wounded animal. "I've heard enough - He's killed, he has blood on his hands. Blood of the innocent. He doesn't need to confess any more than that."

Lecocq stepped away, only to turn and push his boot into Aramis' cheek, forcing his head to one side. Athos ground his teeth at seeing the pained grimace on Aramis' face.

"Get off him."

"Shame to see a musketeer sink so low. The regiment was always spoken of so highly." Lecocq removed his foot, only to spit down at Aramis. "Excuse me gentlemen, I have an execution to arrange. I'll let you say your goodbyes."

Athos and Porthos both shouted and railed against Lecocq, but the guards held them back and he was out of the door without another word.

Athos stopped struggling as a hollow feeling took his heart. The guards let go and retreated to the door. Porthos simply dropped to his knees beside Aramis. He carefully pulled his friend onto his knee and then took out a cloth to gently wipe away the spittle and dirt from Lecocq's boot. Aramis blinked slowly, his eyes not taking anything in.

"Treville-"

"Will not arrive in time." Athos cut Porthos off abruptly.

"There has to be something…"

"I don't know… I don't know." Athos ran frustrated hands through his hair.

What could be done? How could they possibly get Aramis out of this?

"You can't give up." Porthos stared up at him with eyes so full of hope.

They were both feeling torn and helpless, but they couldn't just let this happen.

"I will never give up. I will die myself before seeing him hang."

Athos went to stand at Porthos' shoulder and look down at their friend. Aramis' eyes lazily wandered around before seeming to focus slightly on Porthos.

He sighed out words in a tired voice that broke Athos' heart.

"Can we go home now?"

~oOo~

The beginnings of a scaffold were being erected in the castle courtyard. Athos tried not to look at it as he passed by on his way to fetch water. Now Lecocq had his execution well in hand he didn't seem to care about access to Aramis. As far as he was concerned Aramis would be dead in a matter of days and Athos couldn't do a thing about it. So Athos and Porthos set about seeing to their friend's wounds while they considered a plan of action.

"He needs to see a physician." Porthos uttered grimly as he looked at Aramis' arm.

Athos set the water down and retreated to a spot near the cell door. Aramis was being quite docile at the moment, but he had objected to Athos' presence and wouldn't be touched by him. It was easier to keep some distance and let Porthos handle things.

"I doubt they'll let a physician in to see a condemned man. We'll have to do what we can and let him see one once he's free."

Because he would be free. Athos wouldn't settle for anything else.

"This might be broken, cracked at least..." The arm was badly bruised. Aramis cradled it to his chest, it had taken a lot of coaxing for him to let Porthos near it.

"Bind it as best you can."

Porthos hummed and gently relinquished the damaged limb, Aramis pulled it straight back to his chest. While Athos set about tearing a shirt up Porthos started to wash the blood and dirt from Aramis' skin. Small tremors ran through him, and he let out a hiss or a whine when Porthos turned his attention to the wounds littering his body.

"Some of these could do with stitches."

"How bad? I could try to obtain a kit…" But it was unlikely and time was precious. It could not be wasted on finding a sewing kit.

"He'll live. The bleeding has stopped, it should stay that way if he's careful, but the flesh is…" Porthos paused to let out a heavy breath. "He'll be badly scarred."

"I'll take scarred and alive. We need to get him out of here."

"Help me with this arm."

Athos approached warily, but Aramis didn't seem to be entirely with them. He blinked heavily and let Porthos position his arm ready for binding.

"I suspect our only chance for an escape will be when they move him for the execution."

"So you've given up hope of getting a stay?"

"Lecocq is judge and jury here. The official routes are closed to us. Treville might have been able to help, but he is out of reach." Athos helped Porthos secure Aramis' arm to him, hating the slight trembling beneath his hands.

"Surely there is someone who would listen?"

"No, the castle is under Lecocq's command. Most of the officials were blown to pieces, and any who remain are as eager as he is to see a perpetrator punished."

"What of Romero?"

Aramis flinched.

"We know nothing of him. Just his name."

"He is… my friend." Aramis whispered faintly.

Athos straightened and strode away to his place at the door at hearing that.

"Do you know where he is, Aramis?" Porthos put his hands to either side of Aramis' face and tried to catch his attention. Aramis just blinked and let his eyes drift. "Listen to me. This is important. Where is Romero?"

"Gone."

"Gone where?"

"Gone."

"Tell me where, Aramis. Please."

Aramis frowned slightly. "It's gone."

Porthos let out a sigh and settled Aramis so he lay down resting his head against his knee. "Do we know where they came from? They didn't just appear in the castle out of the ether."

"All I know is what I've already told you. He was taken on by the armourer, but the man in question is dead. Apparently by Aramis' hand."

"Oh Aramis… why won't you talk to us?" Porthos absent mindedly ran his hand through Aramis' hair.

"I'm not sure it would help. Whoever this Romero is he's probably long gone."

"Still, it might go some way to clearing his name."

"He did it, Porthos." Athos spoke morosely and leaned against the wall. "He told me he did it."

"You can't be sure, he's not in his right mind. That much is clear."

"Whatever the truth of the matter, Romero is out of reach. So what do we do? Ready some horses and attempt an escape? We'll be pursued even if we manage it." Athos ran a tired hand over his face and sighed.

"We rescued Constance didn't we?"

"That was different."

"No, we can do it. We just need to obtain some powder. A small explosion… a great distraction… Then we throw Aramis onto a horse and ride away."

"You make it sound so easy." Athos managed a half smile.

"Of course it'll be easy. It's us isn't it?" Porthos grinned.

~oOo~

It took a few days to get everything in place. Luckily it also took a few days for Lecocq to get the scaffold built and make arrangements. Still, the morning of the execution came too quickly.

Aramis was to be hung at noon. That gave them a few hours to make their last checks and go to see their friend. Athos stood leaning against the courtyard wall, he watched the executioner make his last few checks. A hefty pull on the thick rope ensured it would take the weight of a man - of Aramis - Athos thought as a sick feeling settled in his stomach. He stood at a distance in the shadows, but it was an unnatural cold that made him shiver.

Porthos came striding across the yard and took his place beside Athos. "Everything fine?"

"Yes, and you?"

"Ready and waiting."

Athos had checked the concealed powder was in place. He had left Porthos to acquire it and place it, since he would be more recognisable and possibly watched. But it would be his duty to light the fuse. The powder was hidden in nondescript containers and buried amongst some other harmless supplies. Porthos had marked them so Athos would know them at sight, and he was relieved to see them where they should be. He just hoped that no innocents would be harmed in the ensuing blast. The powder was placed to take account of where the crowd would be, and of a level to distract and cause chaos rather than kill. But nothing was certain. If a wayward child wandered next to the powder as it went off…

Athos swallowed hard.

This was for Aramis. It was the only way.

While Athos was busy with the powder, Porthos would be retrieving their horses. If all went to plan they would be at the gate as Athos freed Aramis in the ensuing chaos. Together they would ride away, and after that…

"Have you given much thought to where we might go?" Porthos seemed to read his thoughts.

"Joining Treville would probably be the best course of action."

"Are you sure official channels are wise?"

They would be kidnapping a condemned man and delivering him to a Minister after all. Treville might be a worthy diplomat but justice wasn't always just. A worst case scenario might see them punished and Aramis returned to Foix.

"No, but what is the alternative? Going into hiding? Treville will sort this mess out, and then I must return to my duties. There is a war on, in case you had forgotten."

"Of course not."

For a moment Athos felt bad at reacting harshly. The strain was getting to him.

Porthos broke the awkward silence with his quiet voice. "You mean to return then?"

"I have to. I have no other choice. I've already been away too long."

"He will need you... After this, he's going to need you there."

A lump formed in Athos' throat. "I'm not sure that's true."

"Of course he will. Don't pay any attention to what he says. We'll undo whatever's been done to him, and he'll need you. Whether or not he knows it, he will."

Athos looked down with a tight smile. He wished he could believe Porthos. He wished he knew it would be so easy to put Aramis right again. And he wished he would be granted the time to do so. But the war would not stop for one man. It was unlikely he would play any part in Aramis' recovery. All he could do was act now.

He looked up again at feeling Porthos' comforting hand on his shoulder. If he couldn't be there for Aramis, Porthos surely would. Then Athos' looked past Porthos, his attention was soon taken by the gathering crowd. People had been coming in by dribs and drabs, they wanted a good spot to watch a man die.

"Come. It's time to go to him."

Athos and Porthos made their way to the prison. Ostensibly to say their goodbyes, but in reality they would do their best to give Aramis hope, to let him know he wasn't alone and that this was not the end.

Athos' footsteps felt heavy on the stairs. Going down into the prison suddenly felt as if he were descending into a crypt. The guards at the bottom unlocked the gate that lead through to the cells. They stood as if sentinels to the underworld.

The two of them stepped through and advanced towards Aramis' cell. But there was no guard beside it. Athos looked back to the two behind him.

"Aren't you going to unlock the door?"

"It's open, you can go in."

They frowned and exchanged glances. Then Porthos rushed forwards to push the heavy door open.

The cell was empty.

Athos looked around the room frantically. There were loose shackles and dark stains across the floor, but no Aramis.

He stalked out of the room and approached the guards. "Where is he?"

No answer was forthcoming. Athos reached out and shook the gate. "Where is he?! Damn you!"

At that moment Lecocq sauntered lazily down the stairs and settled a smug eye on Athos. "I had him moved."

"I want to see him!"

"You can't. You're going to stop here, just in case you were thinking of trying anything."

At that Porthos pushed forwards with a roar to rattle the bars. "NO!"

"You let us see him right now!"

"You've had plenty of time to say goodbye. Time that I didn't have with my men. Now I'm going to see justice done for them. You will be released afterwards."

With that pronouncement Lecocq turned and made his way back to the stairs.

"Lecocq, you come back here right now!" Porthos bellowed.

"I will never forgive you this!"

He just put one foot on the first stair and looked over his shoulder. "I don't want your forgiveness."

He left and the two guards took up their positions beside the gate.

Porthos' voice lowered to a dangerous level. "You open this gate now. If you leave it too late I will tear you apart when you let us out."

Silence.

"Open it!" He lunged through the bars but the guard just stepped back.

Athos turned away, hands to his head in despair.

They had failed.