Hello. Hopefully I will be able to update quicker over Christmas. It seems my fears about the last chapter were unfounded if your comments are anything to go by. :)

Please be aware that there is a description of a child's death in this chapter. I have marked the area with **** so the description doesn't have to be read if you do not want to.


Chapter 6

Dawn broke but most within the house stayed asleep in their beds. The excitement of the night before causing many to sleep fitfully and in need of the extra sleep. Aramis woke first of the musketeers and looked around the room with a sense of guilt rushing through him. The fact that his secret had been exposed had lifted the burden but now all he could think of was the look in his parents' eyes when he had finally told the truth. They had been disappointed that he had been unable to tell them something so important.

'I can hear you thinking,' Athos' voice startled Aramis slightly before the marksman smiled.

'You're awake early,' he teased the swordsman.

'This is what happens when I don't drink a lot of wine,' Athos replied in his usual dry tone before sitting up to look at Aramis. 'I think you need to talk to your brother,' Athos said quietly.

'My brother's stubborn,' Aramis mumbled back.

'So are you,' Athos said as he stood up and stretched making his shoulder make a popping sound.

'Athossssss,' Porthos groaned. 'You and your dodgy shoulder.' Athos sent a glance Aramis' way making the marksman chuckle.

'Too early,' D'Artagnan rolled over as best he could and planted his face in the pillow making the others smile, well, Athos twitched his lips.

'Come on boys, I would've thought you would be up by now,' Sophie descended the stairs smiling at them with their tousled hair and sleepy eyes.

She moved across to her son and gave him a warm hug where he still sat on the sofa and kissed his head. For once, Aramis didn't care. He knew his mother loved him and in that moment he didn't care what the scene may have looked like to the others.

When Sophie bustled through to the kitchen Aramis didn't see the teasing, mocking smiles he had expected. Instead he saw the warmth that reminded him he was lucky to have two families.

The musketeers quickly got dressed and washed, Sophie had brought out some warm water and cloths, and then they went outside to check on their horses.

They quickly groomed their own horses as well as the carriage horses before all of them noticed the humidity in the air increasing. In the distance storm clouds were brewing and the skies were darkening.

'Somehow, I don't think we're going anywhere,' D'Artagnan said what they were all thinking.

Aramis cursed internally. That meant more time to avoid his brother and that may mean he would have to confront Pierre. Athos watched Aramis closely. He knew that look. The look that meant Aramis wanted to run from his problems but Mother Nature obviously had other ideas. Athos still couldn't shake the thought that there was more to Pierre's anger at Aramis and he couldn't quite work it out.

Sure enough the rain started to fall and the musketeers quickly made their way to the covered porch to remove their boots before they entered the kitchen. They were met by the smell of fresh bread being baked and Sophie was checking on the progress by the oven.

'Help yourselves to the fruit,' she said waving her hand toward the pile of grapes and apples. There was even a couple of oranges and some strawberries. 'Bread will still be a while yet.'

Constance entered the kitchen with a smile. 'That bread smells so good,' she said with a smile.

'Not ready, yet,' Sophie smiled back.

Queen Anne entered next. Her gaze drifted to Aramis for a moment too long before she turned to Sophie.

'Did you sleep well, Your Majesty?' Sophie asked while nervously fiddling with her apron. It made Aramis smile to see his mother look so nervous in their royal company.

'Yes, thank you,' Anne smiled warmly back.

Just then the rain started to fall heavily, hitting the windows with quite a force. Everyone turned and smiles disappeared.

'I'm not sure we're going anywhere today,' Tréville's apologetic voice startled most of the occupants of the kitchen which made him smirk.

'More the merrier, I say!' Nicole pushed past Tréville making sure she managed to touch him as she went by. Tréville couldn't help the blush that adorned his cheeks.

'The bread will be a while,' Sophie said again as she looked at her cluttered kitchen.

'I'll just take a trip to the church,' Aramis said as he understood his mother's need to shoo bodies out of the kitchen.

'In that rain?' Constance asked incredulously without thinking.

'I appreciate your concern Constance,' Aramis gave a little bow with a smug grin, 'but we have ridden through far worse for days on end.'

'Tell me 'bout it!' Porthos shook his head as if he were remembering a terrible journey.

'Why don't we the four of us go?' Athos looked to Porthos and D'Artagnan. D'Artagnan looked rather like he'd been slapped in the face. 'Get a few bodies out of the house,' Athos had also caught on to Sophie's unease with the amount of people around her.

With that the musketeers departed while Constance, Anne, Nicole and Tréville move through to the sitting room. Sophie, however, did not miss the wistful look the Queen directed towards her son as he departed. Her next thought rather made her smile.


'Where is the church?' D'Artagnan asked as he wrapped his outdoor cloak tighter around himself. He clearly would rather have stayed in the warm house.

'Not far,' Aramis replied as he took the lead.

'You really need a hat,' Porthos said as the rain quickly soaked D'Artagnan's hair. Any support he thought he might get from Athos vanished as he saw the swordsman's smirk.

'It's just there,' Aramis pointed across the road. The church was small and looked as though it could do with some maintenance. Aramis led them inside where the pews were old and chipped. There were a few stained glass windows but most were clear. The cloth draped over the alter looked as though it had seen better days but there was a warmth about the church. Many feet had clearly trodden along its walkways and fresh flowers had been placed in vases on small tables.

A chuckle behind them made them all turn simultaneously to see the owner.

'So it is true,' the priest smiled a warm smile. 'You have returned, although I'm guessing a fleeting visit?'

'Father Raymond,' Aramis smiled back and pulled the elderly priest into a fierce hug which was returned just as fiercely.

'I had high hopes for him joining the church,' Father Raymond addressed the other three. 'His parents were also keen, but then...he became a soldier instead,' Father Raymond did not seem at all disappointed by Aramis choice of career if his beaming smile was anything to go by.

'Yes, I remember he told me that,' Athos gave a small wry smile as he looked at Aramis.

'He found his true calling though,' the priest smiled. 'Well, aren't you going to introduce me?' Father Raymond raised an eyebrow but his smile hadn't faded.

'Of course,' Aramis ran his fingers though his hair, as he often did when embarrassed or nervous. 'Everyone this is Father Raymond. This is Porthos,' Porthos shook the priest's hand with a smile. 'D'Artagnan,' D'Artagnan also shook the priest's hand and nodded with a smile. 'And Athos,' the priest took Athos' hand but gave Athos an enquiring look.

'You have troubles my son,' Father Raymond said quietly. 'Troubles that would be best shared.' Athos could see the priest was being earnest and that made him tense slightly. 'I don't mean with me, but with your friends.' The priest's warm expression made Athos feel as though the man could see right through him.

'They know,' Athos answered quietly, not looking at his brothers.

'When you are ready, they will listen to the rest,' Father Raymond finally released Athos' hand and Athos felt slightly unstable as if an anchor had been lifted. 'So what brings you here?' the priest asked Aramis.

'I came to see my brother,' Aramis answered making the other three frown and jolting Athos out of his own thoughts.

'You know where he is,' Father Raymond gave them a smile and departed.

Aramis began to walk through the church and the others followed, exchanging confused looks. Aramis wasn't looking for Pierre and another brother hadn't been mentioned. The answer soon became clear as they entered the graveyard. Aramis knew exactly where he was going and the others followed. The rain continued to fall but Aramis wasn't aware of it as he finally stopped before a gravestone.

Francois Aramis d'Herblay

The dates on the gravestone revealed that he had only been a few months old when he died.

'My brother,' Aramis confirmed. 'He died before I was born.' There were fresh flowers on the grave and Aramis bent down to touch the gravestone. 'Maman and Papa talked about him and Claudette could barely remember. Pierre could never speak of him.'

Athos suddenly realised why Pierre had acted the way he had. Clearly, the loss of his younger brother had affected Pierre and Aramis hadn't helped matters by pursuing such a dangerous career.

'Athos?' Porthos' voice brought him out of his thoughts.

'Nothing, it's just very sad,' he answered. He needed to talk to Pierre...alone.


The musketeers were soaked through when they returned to the house. All of them managed to find their spare clothes and quickly got dressed in Aramis' old room.

The kitchen was full of people but they managed to fit. Pierre was absent again but Alice had squeezed herself in next to Sophie and Nicole.

Tréville had suggested sending another message to the palace but Anne had said it wasn't necessary as they were only likely to be delayed for another day.

Pierre's absence wasn't mentioned for a while but it hung across the room before Sophie finally asked Alice where he was.

'He slept in the barn last night,' Alice answered looking sad. 'He's been in the fields all morning.'

Athos suddenly stood making everyone else jump slightly. 'Sorry,' he muttered. 'I think I should go and apologise for my actions last night.'

'I don't think he will be very receptive,' Alice answered looking worried.

'Don't worry, I won't hit him again, even he tries to hit me,' Athos gave her a nod and left the kitchen to put on his boots and cloak.

'Right, René,' Patrice rubbed his hands together. 'As Pierre is in the fields could you see to the lambs in the barn please?' Aramis nodded and stood up. 'Everyone else, find something to do,' Patrice gave a chuckle as he looked at the weather outside.

Aramis and Patrice left leaving everyone else wondering what to do next. It was clear that whatever Nicole had in mind, it included Tréville.


Athos wrapped his cloak tightly around him. He really did hate the rain. He was sure that he knew why Pierre had acted the way he had and was currently trying to work out what he should say to the man. Athos had never been very good with words. Not the way Aramis could easily start a conversation with just about anyone. He also knew that only he could get through to Pierre and that in itself scared him.

It didn't take long for Athos to find Pierre even though he didn't know the land. The man was sitting under a tree watching the ewes in the field. As Athos approached, Pierre stood and started to walk away.

'I only want to talk,' Athos raised his voice over the hammering rain. Pierre looked behind him and then up to the sky. He then retreated back underneath the tree without looking at Athos. Athos took that as a cue to join him.

Pierre was soaked through already and Athos was feeling rather damp. Both men just sat beneath the tree for a couple of minutes with neither acknowledging the presence of the other.

Finally it was Athos that broke the silence, 'You know your brother's not a coward,' he stated and he saw Pierre's shoulders tense.

'He couldn't tell them the truth!' Pierre snapped back.

'But he told you,' Athos kept his voice calm. 'And you did what brothers do...kept his secret.'

'I was ashamed of him,' Pierre voice cracked slightly. 'Everyone knows that only the cowards who run and hide survive massacres.'

'Is that what everyone knows?' Athos asked mockingly. 'Just because everyone knows doesn't mean it's the truth. You know that your brother would never hide from a fight, especially one like that. I saw him. He was badly injured and quite frankly I thought he was dead already. I noticed he was breathing and Porthos and I got him to an inn where he fought for his life.'

Pierre felt his emotions welling up and tears started to spill from his eyes. He hastily wiped them away but Athos had seen. The musketeer knew that hate wasn't behind Pierre's actions now. He was right.

'He couldn't tell Maman and Papa...that was cowardly,' Pierre managed to get out in one go. His emotions were completely heightened and he didn't want the musketeer to see it.

'I suppose,' Athos answered. 'But releasing a weight that lies upon you on those you love can be a very difficult thing to do. I'm sure a part of your brother wanted to protect them and a part of him feared their response to the knowledge. But that wasn't why you were angry at him. Siblings have always held knowledge from their parents. It's what they do to protect each other. You held Aramis' secret so that isn't what troubles you.'

Pierre couldn't believe what he was hearing. This man, this stranger, seemed to understand him and it was terrifying. Pierre didn't trust himself to speak as he feared that he would let out the emotions that had plagued him for so many years. The silence continued, only punctuated by the rain that continued to fall.

'Tell me about Francois,' Athos said in a calm voice as though this was just polite conversation. Pierre was shocked at Athos' request. How could he know?

Athos waited patiently for Pierre to gather his thoughts.

'How do you know?' Pierre finally asked, looking at Athos for the first time.

'Your brother took us to see him,' Athos said simply making Pierre nod. 'What happened?'

Pierre drew in his breath making a slight whistling sound. He rarely spoke of his brother but now it seemed that he would tell a complete stranger.

****'He died when he was a baby,' Pierre stated, hoping it would be enough for the musketeer. Pierre turned to Athos whose gaze told him that he should continue.

Pierre took a deep breath and started to explain. 'I was only young, so was Claudette. René hadn't even been thought of,' he smiled for the first time since Athos had arrived. 'We were in the garden playing with the dogs. Francois was in his basket and the sun was shining. One of the dogs was digging under the hedge,' Pierre's voice was starting to break and Athos readied himself for what was to come, 'the dog had found a wasps nest. The wasps attacked and I could run and so could Claudette...but Francois was still in his basket. The wasps...,' he trailed off. It was clear to Athos that the wasps had attacked Francois in his basket and the thought made Athos feels sick.

Athos moved closer to the sobbing man in an effort for provide some sort of comfort. Usually Porthos or Aramis dealt with the emotional situations.

****'That was a terrible thing to witness at such a young age,' Athos said as he placed his hand on the shoulder of the sobbing man.

'I couldn't protect him,' Pierre said though sniffles. 'I swore would protect René but then he decides to do one of the most dangerous jobs there is!' Pierre's volume had increased as he talked about his living brother and Athos knew that Pierre's actions stemmed from being unable to protect his brother.

'He has to live his own life,' Athos said calmly.

'This wasn't supposed to happen!' Pierre shouted defiantly and Athos then remembered what Aramis had told him about the nun they met in Bourbon-les-yeux.

'You mean Isabelle?' Athos asked quietly. Pierre turned to look at Athos in astonishment. It seemed that René had shared more about his life that Pierre had thought.

'If she hadn't lost the baby, they would have married and he would have been at the other end of the town,' Pierre said with bitterness in his voice. 'Instead, she disappears meaning that he went looking for her and the next thing we know he has joined the army! Alice has miscarried so many times that we have accepted we will never have a child and René is nowhere near marrying. The family name is at stake and there is nothing I can do about it.'

'I understand you want to protect him-,'

'How do you understand?' Pierre interrupted Athos. Athos realised that he would have to face his own fear now as it was the only way Pierre would understand. He had hidden Thomas away for so long but now he had to be acknowledged again. Athos had to talk about his brother and his failure to save him. Pierre saw the change in Athos' eyes and waited for the man to speak.

'Porthos, D'Artagnan and Aramis are all my brothers,' Athos started. 'Truthfully they're the only ones who will put up with me,' he gave a hollow laugh. 'Thomas was my blood brother. My younger brother.' Pierre had noticed the past tense but said nothing. 'I have lands that are my responsibility but I forfeited them. Like you, I wanted to protect my brother but it isn't always possible. The truth is...I brought about his death when I let a woman into my home, who I loved, and she killed him.'

Pierre watched Athos and the darkness that seemed to be coming from the man.

'I can never see my brother again,' Athos continued. 'He's dead. Your brother isn't. He survived the massacre at Savoy and he has been in many life threatening situations since then. You can't control his life. I know you want him to be safe but he has to make his own choices. I would give almost anything to see Thomas again, but I can't. Your brother still lives and all you can do is be there for him when he needs you. Right now, he needs to know that his brother doesn't think him a coward.'


A/N: I'm aware that this was really Athos' chapter but it was what I had planned. Athos also, unusually, wouldn't shut up but I hope it remained in character.