Hello there. Yes you are right. This is a new chapter! XD
Thanks to MusketeerAdventure, TheseWordsAreUnspoken, BurnedSpy and dg101.
You are absolutely great. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own the musketeers.
Gracelyn and Aramis awoke to a loud knocking.
"Aramis!" Athos' voice came through the door.
"Damn." Aramis swore. "He knows."
"Relax." Grace tried to calm him down, then Athos called out again. "I only wanted to tell you that we are leaving, a letter came from Paris." They heard steps and Athos was gone. Aramis breathed. Knew they seriously should tell Athos the truth, but to be caught 'in the act', was not the way he would chose.
"I should go to my room and pack." Grace suddenly got up and went to the door, but Aramis' hand stopped her steps.
"Are you okay?" Aramis noticed, how Gracelyn's mood has changed when she heard the news.
She gave him a sad smile. "I'm fine, just a reality happened." and with those words came out of the door.
Aramis pondered over her words. He was not glad to leave, but at least they can take care that justice will catch Addington. With a new determination Aramis get dressed and wrapped things. When was leaving the room he looked back last time, smiled and shut the door behind him. He went down to the dining room. All the others were already there, including Grace.
"News from Treville came early in the morning. This servant, Henry, has arrived to Paris." Athos said and continued. "After breakfast we are going."
All ate quickly and silently. The musketeers wanted to get Addington behind bars from the beginning, after all, were the king's men, but at the moment, when they learned what he has done to Grace, their motives and commitment has changed.
Once finished eating they went to prepare the horses.
"Wait a minute." Athos stopped Aramis and took him a few steps aside. So yes, he knows it, Aramis thought. He looked into Athos' eyes and straightened. He loves Grace, and stand up to face it, let it cost what it costs. Meanwhile, what Athos waited until the others are out of earshot, Aramis did not even realize that for the first time he called Grace, as the woman he loves. Although it was only in his mind .
"Aramis," Athos began in a low voice. "I hope your, uh, relationship with Gracelyn, somehow do not compromise your performance, as musketeer, when we solve Addington."
Aramis was staring a moment. He really did not expect this. Waited a complaint, the raised eyebrows, just something. But this?
"So?" Athos asked impatiently.
"No, certainly not." Aramis finally answered. "So, you don't have any problem?"
"Do I have a choice?" Athos lightly smiled. "Grace have never listened to me, not even when she was still a child. And moreover, I am glad it is you."
"Thank you." Aramis was moved that Athos has such a high opinion about him.
"You are welcome. If you have seen the previous ones, you too would thank." Athos did not wait for an answer and headed to the horses.
"Wait a minute, who previous ones?" Aramis called out for Athos, who was already on the horse and smiling under his breath.
"So where are you? We don't have all day." Porthos was already wanting to go. The sooner they will have this behind, the better. When they all were on the road, Aramis spurred his horse closer to Grace's white mare. Gracelyn was looking ahead and had a big smile on the face.
"You knew, didn't you?" Aramis asked frowningly. "You knew, that he knows."
Grace could not resist longer and started to laugh out loud.
"Of course I did. Indeed, I have said this before, this is Athos."
"What are you talking about?" Porthos was confused. Not only that he did not understand what is going on, but it seemed that everyone else know it.
"Tell him." Gracelyn encouraged Aramise.
"Sure I'll tell." Aramis looked at Porthos with a smile. He felt bad because of hiding secret behind Athos' back, but behind Porthos' as well.
"My friend, I would like to inform you that Grace and I are together."
Porthos was staring at Aramis with his mouth open. Then in turn looked at Gracelyn, Athos, and ultimately to d'Artagnan.
"And why I know as the latest? I understand Athos , but how is it that even whelp knows this before?"
"Hey it is not my fault." D'artagnan resisted. "I didn't want to catch them out." They all turned to him and d'Artagnan was a little flushed.
"Well, I didn't catch them out like, you know, I just heard them." The others still staring. "When they were talking about how to say it Athos I mean."
"This is great." Porthos was laughing. "Aramis will be eventually Athos' cousin."
"It is even worse." Athos spoke. "Imagine what it is to me, when I take Gracelyn as my sister and consider Aramis to be my brother."
Gracelyn and Aramis were moved by the fact that Athos considered them to be his siblings, so before they actually realized the importance of his words, d'Artagnan started to laugh with Porthos.
XXX
The trip was without difficulty, they stopped only a few times, to let horses rest and were in Paris the morning of the second day. Immediately headed to the garrison. Gracelyn was in the lead and as soon as they arrived, ran into Trevill's office.
"Captain, where..." Grace did not finish the sentence and ran into the arms of the high men. At that moment musketeers arrived.
"Grace?" Aramis interrupted the pair.
"I am sorry. Gentlemen, this is Henry." Grace gave Aramisovi a pointed look.
"I am pleased to meet you." The englishman spoke French, but with a heavy accent. "I am glad that you have alright Lady. I would came sooner, but unfortunately it did not work otherwise."
"Do not apologize, mainly, that you are here. And how many times have I told you to don't call me like this." Then she frowned. "You got it?"
"Of course." Henry retreated step aside and pointed at the desk. "I just showed everything captain Treville. I wanted to wait me you, but the captain assured me that you will be soon there ."
They all went closer to see the amount of papers that were spread out on the table.
"I have to say, Gracelyn, that it was great thing to steal all of this." Treville praised. "With this Addington have to be arrested, on all of them is his seal of approval. Contracts with mercenaries, and a detailed description of the plan."
"When this stuff gets to the king, musketeer and members of the red guard will go after Addington." Aramis said definitely. "If he is in Paris."
"A month ago he went from England." Henry spoke up. "I am sure that his aim was to come here."
"Very well then." Athos spoke. "We will go for the cardinal. I do not believe him, but when it comes to something like this, we do not have much to choose from. The king trusts him from all the most."
XXX
"So?" Grace asked for the second time. She, the four musketeers and Henry stood in cardinal's office and waited for the answer. Cardinal did not want to hear, initially but then Gracelyn shouted they have evidence for hers claims.
"It is really interesting." Cardinal frowned at the papers in front of him. "And obviously authentic. I will inform king immediately. You say that Lord Addington is in Paris now?"
"It is very likely." Athos replied.
"If he is here, we can find him. Are you sure that he has not started his plan yet?"
"Yes, we are. When we have evidence against him, he cannot do nothing." Grace assured cardinal.
"I hope you are right. We need to find those mercenaries, anyone who is willing to betray the king will go to the noose. And I am sure that his majesty will inform the king of England, so if Addington is going to flee there, they will arrest him. English king will certainly want to get rid of such a problem." Cardinal waved to let them go away.
"Cardinal?" Grace is still turned.
"Yes?"
"Don't tell the king where are these information from."
Cardinal has puzzled frown, but nodded.
"So the work is finished." Grace was pleased when they came out."Almost."
"You are still in danger. You and Henry." Athos reminded. "Addington may not be able to carry out his plan, but will want to take revenge. Until he will be caught we need to be careful."
"I do not know, Athos. I think that when Addington learns what we have done, he will try to escape to England, leaving us alone."Grace wanted to forget this as fast as she could, but knew that Athos is probably right,
"There is no such thing as being too careful." Athos recalled her.
"What does it mean exactly?" Grace was concerned that she will not enjoy that.
"Constance has a free room, right?"Athos asked.
"I think so. Had before we left."
"It will be better when you are with Henry together." Athos said, he did not care Aramis' glance. "It should not take long for catching Addington, Englishman cannot be hid so easy in Paris, but in the meantime you have always someone staying overnight."
"If you think that it will be the best, sir." Henry listened carefully and up to now. Lady Haley trust this musketeer so does he."But I need to bring my things, still have them in the garrison."
Athos nodded and they went to the garrison.
XXX
They were still tired from the trip, so when Henry took things, Aramis, who is offered himself to being patrol this night, said goodbye to the others and each went his way.
"Be careful." Athos whispered Grace before she left with Henry and Aramis.
"Do not be afraid." She smiled at him and went to the two waiting men.
XXX
"It will be surely better if I reveal it Constanse herself. Especially if monsieur Bonacieux is at home." Grace turned to her companions. "I have not be here for a long time, but I understood that he does not have the musketeers too fond of."
Aramis hesitated a moment and then nodded. "We will come to in a moment." Two men stood next to each other in the awkward silence.
"Thank you that for saving her." Aramis finally spoke.
"I could not watch how she suffers, especially not because of what I have told her." Henry dreamily looked at and added. "She is an extraordinary woman."
"Yes she is. Shall we go?" Aramis did not like where the conversation was heading and he went into the house, Henry went right behind him. Aramis had a bad feeling. There was a silence. Aramis went into the kitchen and he was horrified of point of view, which he had. At the table sat monsieur and madame Bonacieux. They were tied and there were two muskets heading to their heads. The third man stood in the corner and kept Grace, who with all forces tried to wrench. They were waiting for them. But before Aramis could do anything he felt a dull ache on the nape. Aramis' last thought was that Grace is in danger and he let her down.
So? What do you think? Please review.