I'm sorry about the wait, but I did make this a bit longer to make up for that! And I have the upcoming two chapters finished, then it's just the last chapter yet to write! Meaning there will be 18 chapters to this story.

What am I to do after that? Well, write a new one of course, heh! If anyone have any great prompts, please feel free to share! I have some ideas but nothing that I could really turn into a longer story.

And oh… I've grown up on farms and do love every kind of animal… I just never got the hang of roosters.

Fifteen

The attention-seeking devil sent from the darkest crypt of hell just wouldn't keep quiet. It just wouldn't. Stupid rooster. They were supposed to scream their throats off when sun rose, to let every farmer know it was time to get up and get to work, but now, it was night, and even early farmers would still be sleeping. Even the milk-cows were still sleeping. It was pitch-black outside, the sun still hours away from the horizon, and the entire forest lay empty and quiet, except for that one damned rooster who just wouldn't shut up.

The four musketeers were all rolling in their sleeps, none of them being able to rest properly, every time they were drifting off they were jarred awake by the rooster's crow. They were pulling their cloaks that they used for blankets, over their faces and covering their ears, trying to ignore the stupid bird. They were all huddling close together, trying to bury their heads underneath each other, seeking the comfort of silence.

All of a sudden there was a rush of movement amongst them, and then complete silence. They all figured they should question what happened, but no one could be bothered to move, or even open their eyes, as they all, finally, drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

"Rise and shine!"

"I may rise but I refuse to shine." Athos mumbled tiredly as he stretched, body sore and tired after sleeping on the ground.

Porthos groaned before opening his eyes. Who was waking him up? Why was that person so cheery? What was- Hey! Is that... "Breakfast!"

Porthos was on his feet within a second, sitting down to join Aramis by the small fire the man had started. A large bird was almost done cooking over the fireplace, pierced on a stick and Aramis turning it all the time to get it evenly cooked. Aramis had a big grin on his face, and Porthos was thrilled to have a proper breakfast. This was way better than fish.

"Where did you get that?"

Aramis looked up at Athos. Oh, always the sourpuss.

"I don't know what you mean." Aramis said with an innocent look plastered across his face.

"Uh-uh." Porthos saw the warning signs. Aramis was giving Athos the stare. And not the 'You-and-me-now-stare', nor the 'I'll-strangle-you-with-my-bare-hands-stare'… But the most terrifying of them all… 'I-did-something-bad-but-please-I-love-you-don't-slap-me-stare'. Athos was one of the few who would ever be on the receiving end of those eyes as that stare appeared. Treville had gotten it once or twice as well, but it was mainly invented for Athos.

Athos was just about to rant when d'Artagnan stretched his arms, rolled over to his front, pulled his fingers through his hair before resting on his elbows. "Wow, that darn rooster finally grew quiet? I didn't think we would get any sleep at all there for a moment."

Aramis looked down at the bird, extremely occupied with it. He didn't dare to look up, and he didn't need to look up, to know that Athos and Porthos were both looking at him with stern, angry looks.

"How many times have I told you not to kill domestic fowls?" Athos growled.

"It didn't seem to belong to anyone, it was wandering the forest all by itself, I didn't snatch it from any farm. You all heard it, it was right here, and there's not a farm in sight." Aramis pouted.

Athos seemed to be thinking about Aramis' words for a while, before taking a seat next to him, his shoulders slugging as he pulled a leg off the bird. "Well then, let us eat the bastard."

Aramis grinned. He knew it wouldn't be difficult to win them over. He had done it before. He just couldn't handle roosters, they were animals invented by the devil. He was okay with every other animal – he would even pick up snakes, but mostly to scare the living light out of Porthos who was deadly afraid of them – but he could not handle roosters. They were just so loud, at the exact wrong hour of the day, each day. The rooster definitely had it coming.

D'Artagnan pulled out some of the bread and cheese from his saddlebag that he had kept close to their shelter, dividing it between them, as well as the bottle of juice still in there. They all happily ate in silence for a while, before Porthos swallowed and spoke up.

"So how far away from Paris do y'think we are?"

"Two or three days perhaps." Athos said, swallowing before speaking. "We could make it in two nights if we keep speed, but the horses are getting tired, I don't want to pressure them too hard. We've been out many days now."

"I'd rather be back a day later than make Belle angry." Aramis mumbled. He knew just how quickly and how far his mare could throw him when she got too fed up with his heels. He looked up as he spoke of her – but none of the horses were anywhere to be seen. That didn't worry him though, he knew none of them would wander far away.

"Yeah, I don't wanna get y'out of more trees." Porthos smirked, looking over to their leader who was grinning widely at the memory.

D'Artagnan was puzzled, and Porthos could tell by the look on his face, so happily offered him an explanation, much to the groans of Aramis. "We've been ridin' hard, and Belle was getting rather tired. When she gets too tired she 'comes a bit grumpy… And usually dump Aramis' sorry behind on the ground. Then he can get back up and ride on, it's like she just needs to tell 'im that she's displeased. This time though, she gave a buck that sent him flyin', and ended up in a tree, how I'm not sure still. But ey, it was a good sight."

Aramis shook his head at the memory, and even he had to crack a smile. He had been just as shocked as Porthos and Athos as they had turned their heads, expecting to see him on the ground. Instead he had been sprawled over a branch, far too high up for his liking, and he had insisted on having Porthos help him down. Porthos hadn't been sure how to help him down, but as Porthos came in underneath him, Aramis let go only to fall a couple of feet straight down onto Porthos. The two of them had immediately fallen into a pile of flailing limbs, and Aramis had explained he needed someone to cushion his fall. Porthos had not been pleased. Athos had rolled his eyes.

"I thought you knew how to fall from great heights." D'Artagnan said plainly, trying to hide the smirk that he could feel tug at the corners of his mouth. He hadn't been with the group for that long, but he had lost count of the times he had heard stories of Aramis escaping through windows. He had remembered his own jump out of a window on his first night in Paris, when he had been accused of killing Raul Mendoza. It had not been one of the best of mornings, and those ribs had been sore for quite the time after the fall. He had tried to get Aramis to teach him what he did wrong, but Aramis had stated that he feared d'Artagnan would break every bone in his body if he tried jumping from windows. 'Fragile young Gascon' was words that had been uttered more than once.

"I've had training. And I've learned that it's best if you can fall onto something soft. Like our big, strong, bear Porthos here - great cushion you are." Aramis grinned from ear to ear, as he patted Porthos on the shoulder, earning an angry glare from the man.

"Yeah, I learned that day never to walk below Aramis as he's hangin' from something. Best is to pull a cart of hay or similar underneath 'im."

"A cart of manure would only be fair. It is soft, for sure." Athos mumbled, earning an angry look from Aramis and a happy laugh from Porthos and d'Artagnan.

"I don't like where this is going. We should change subject." Aramis pouted, as he pulled off more meat from the bird.

"Y'don't like it when we speak of your ladies? Or are you just gettin' upset that Charlotte Mellendorf left?" Porthos asked, grinning, as he gently punched Aramis' arm. Aramis swatted him away, a smile across his face but all of his friends could straight away see that it didn't reach his eyes. There was sadness there. Porthos immediately frowned.

"You okay?"

Aramis nodded, occupied with the bird over the fire. "I'm fine."

"Goodbyes are difficult." Athos added, knowing that Aramis reaction had nothing to do with Lady Mellendorf, and trying to help his friend out. He wanted to tell their secret to Porthos and d'Artagnan so bad, but couldn't – for all of their safety. Were anything ever to come out into the open, it would be better for Porthos and d'Artagnan if they hadn't known. Or at least that was what Aramis and Athos kept telling themselves. For now, it was better if their two friends just thought that Aramis had seduced Lady Mellendorf, not the Queen of France.

Aramis looked up at Athos, a grateful smile that did indeed reach his eyes. The year had been a difficult one for him, starting with him finding out that Adele had been killed by the cardinal. Upon getting his pistol back from the maid, he had feared the worst, and that was one of the rare occasions when he had ignored all of Athos' orders, tacked Belle and ridden out to the Cardinal's Country Estate. Only to find out that Adele hadn't showed there. He was looking for her for days, out riding through the woods between Paris and the estate until his friends had caught up with him. Not being able to bring Aramis home, they had spent a week together looking for Adele… Until they found her, shot to death and left in the cold, frozen ground for the crows to feast on.

He had swore to kill the Cardinal, but his brothers had stopped him, grounded him and promised to help him bring the Cardinal to his knees. But not by attacking him physically, they knew they would all get hanged before they even had time to attack. Instead their plan had started to take shape, a plan that would take them months to finish, but in the end, was so much more rewarding than just pierce the man with a sword.

The end had been a good one, literally bringing the Cardinal to his knees, but it had not been without hurt. Aramis was starting to question the life of his heart as this year had passed – Adele, Agnes, Isabel… and Anne. He had been heartbroken upon finding Adele. He had never meant to fall in love with Agnes, and he had been sad to see her go even if he knew it was the best thing for her, and her little boy. Then he came across Isabel… He had searched for her for half of his life, and he barely had time to say hi before she died in his arms. And then he fell in love with the Queen, a woman he could never claim as the love of his life, someone he could never be with without risking his own life – and hers.

He never meant to fall in love with her, it just sort of happened. He could not tear away from her, and he knew the feeling was mutual, she had told him so herself. But they would never be together, it could never happen, so he would just have to stand guard and watch her grow. Why would his heart set out for the wrong women, why could he not just let some of them slip past him? He had never been interested in loving another since Isabel, until he met Adele. And then it went downhill from there. He had been with women a lot, but staying in their bedrooms was something completely different from love. And he didn't know what to make of it anymore. Truth be told, love scared him. Loving someone scared him.

It felt like he wouldn't be able to love a woman without killing her. Adele had died because of him… and so had Isabel. They had both been safe and content with their lives before he arrived and they died. And that was the main reason to why he, every day, feared that his secret with Anne would be found out, and she would be killed too, because of him. He wasn't sure he would be able to go through the loss of another love. At least Athos knew, so he didn't have to carry the burden all by himself, but in the same time that scared him just as much, fearing that he would lose Athos too in case anything was revealed.

"I didn't realize she meant that much to you." D'Artagnan said quietly, breaking the silence and making Aramis snap his head up. Wait – whom was he talking about? Anne?

"Me neither, sorry." Porthos mumbled, a hand on Aramis' wrist, squeezing it carefully. "We never did know the two of you got together."

Aramis must've looked confused, he had been so deep into his own thoughts that he could not for his life remember whom they had been talking about. Not Anne. They didn't know about Anne. Athos wouldn't have told them, no one knew about…

"Lady Mellendorf was a charming woman." Athos said firmly, once again meeting Aramis eyes, sensing his confusion and helping him out before he said anything rash.

"She was for sure." Aramis nodded in agreement. Honestly, he never even talked to her. But it was safer for everyone involved if they kept on believe that…

D'Artagnan and Porthos kept looking back and forth between Athos and Aramis, knowing the two of them were hiding something but not wanting to pry. They knew the two men would tell them if they could, and it would most likely come up at some point. Right now, the tension was so thick you could cut it with a dagger, and they all felt a great need to change the subject once more.

"So, Athos, what is your expert skill?" D'Artagnan asked, and Athos twirled his head, staring at the rookie with an angry glare. The other three men were suddenly grinning widely.

"I'll show you my skills with a sword if you don't stop nagging me about that." Athos mumbled angrily. D'Artagnan put his hands up in surrender, knowing that if they just spent time together, he would be able to pry it out of this man. He had been able to get a lot of secrets out of him the last year, and if he could get all of Athos' dark past with his wife and family out of him, he surely could get a skill out in the open.

He just didn't think he would witness it first hand the very same evening.

They arrived at an inn around dinnertime, a few hours of sunlight still left before the night would arrive. D'Artagnan and Porthos dealt with the horses as Aramis and Athos walked inside to find someone who ran the place. There was a small reception right inside the door, and on the chair behind it was a little girl sitting, probably not much older than five. She had a dress on, her dark curls coming down to her shoulders and a pair of the biggest brown eyes the pair had ever seen. She saw the men enter and she smiled delighted.

"Musketeers!" Her eyes were glimmering at the sight of them, and she immediately stood up on the chair and leaned over the desk to get closer to them. Athos and Aramis smiled at the girl and her enthusiasm as they walked up to her, Aramis putting his elbows down on the counter and leaned forward.

"Hello there. My name is Aramis, and this is Athos, what may your name be?"

The girl straightened her back, before making a small bow. "My name be Mademoiselle Julie Villeneuve."

"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman." Aramis smiled, making the girl giggle, in the same time as a woman came around the corner, seeing them, and walked up behind the little girl. She grabbed the girl by the armpits and put her down on the floor, shooing her off.

"Hey gentlemen. My name is Madame Villeneuve, and welcome to our inn. Are you in need of a room for the night?"

"Yes, please." Athos said gently. "We have two friends out by the stable as well."

"We only have rooms with two beds in them, and most of them are full up. Are you okay to share beds?"

"I'd never mind sharing a bed." Aramis grinned, his eyes glimmering forcing the landlady to blush. Athos rolled his eyes and elbowed him in the side. The woman giggled slightly before giving them a key.

"Come with me, I'll show you to your room."

Madame moved around the counter and was just about to run up to the room when Julie appeared again, standing in front of her mother.

"Mère, can I show them up please?"

It looked like her mother was about to say no, but then she looked over into the dining hall which was crowded with people, and she could see a couple of servings girl working fast at their feet trying to please all hungry men. This was also the same time two other men walked in through the door, looking for rooms as well… And the noise of crying babies could be heard from a backdoor. Sighing, she gave her daughter the key and a quick nod before scurrying off.

The girl smiled happily before she tucked her hand into Athos' palm and pulled him along with her. Athos was too stunned to do anything else but follow her, and Aramis laughed as he saw the panic in the man's eye. They were all completely at loss when it came to children, but Athos had even said on numerous occasions that they frightened him. 'They don't follow orders and you never know which way they will turn. One moment they are over there… and then the next they are nowhere to be found. How do you plan ahead with a child?'

'You don't.' Had been Aramis answer. And he was very much enjoying the sight in front of him as Julie was still holding Athos' hand as they made their way up the stairs, and she was babbling on with words Athos just pretended to hear. Even though Aramis could see how uneasy Athos was, Julie never did seem to notice it. Athos might be tense, but his quiet exterior had a calming effect on most children and animals, and Aramis had witnessed many times how Athos would walk up to a panicking horse and stop it by just putting a hand on it's forehead.

Julie guided them to a room, unlocked the door with a big key and then gave it to Athos, who gave a short bow in thanks. They had thought Julie would leave them when they had arrived here, but she didn't seem to have any plans on just doing that. So she skipped inside, jumped up and sat down in one of the beds, a big smile on her face as she watched the men walk inside.

Athos looked over to Aramis, his eyes wide and questioning, but Aramis just smiled and patted his shoulder. "Let's muse her for a while, she's probably just bored. She will be tired and ready for bed soon anyway."

Athos didn't say anything, but let Aramis guide them into the room. Aramis put his hat down on the table and unbuckled his weapons to put them away as well, then pulled off his doublet. Athos followed his actions, while the girl stayed seated on the bed with her legs dangling.

"Are you on your way to Paris?" She suddenly asked, and Aramis walked over to her and jumped down into the bed next to her, making her squeal in delight as she bounced.

"Yes, we are on our way home to Paris." Aramis nodded as Athos just shook his head, pouring water up into a wide bowl, his focus on the task at hand but continuing to listen to Aramis and Julie.

"Where have you traveled from?"

"We've been to Saint-Nazaire."

"To fight some criminals?" Julie's eyes were wide and shimmering, she apparently found this very exciting.

"Something like that, yes."

"Did you win?"

"We always win."

"Do you? Really?" The shimmering eyes had turned into a look of distrust, putting her small head to the side and raising and eyebrow in question.

"We do." Aramis grinned, fingers reaching up to pinch the girl's nose lightly. "We are after all, the King's Musketeers."

The grin on the girls face was wide and happy, and it turned even wider as footsteps was heard outside, and d'Artagnan's head looked in through the door.

"Here you are!"

D'Artagnan walked inside, discharging his weapons and doublet as well, Porthos booming in the following moment doing exactly the same. They were both laughing at something, but quieted down as they saw the look on Athos' face. He was completely occupied with the small mirror in front of him, the bowl of water and the dagger in his hand, trimming his beard, which was a very necessary task. But both d'Artagnan and Porthos had stopped by the look of him, it was not him trimming his beard that was out of the ordinary picture. It was the look of worry on his face that made them stop.

And upon hearing a small giggle behind them, they both turned around to see Aramis sitting in one of the beds with a small girl standing up in the bed next to him, a hand on his shoulder as she whispered something in his ear. Aramis grinned in response and pointed over towards his friends.

"The lad is d'Artagnan. He is a great cook. And the big one is Porthos. Don't play cards with him."

Okay, so next up is Athos' skills… Are you ready for it?