Evening My Lovelies

We're still with our trio of inseparables today as I'm going to be keeping you in the dark over poor D'Art for a few more chapters yet.

We're getting to see Louis today, which is always fun for me to write. He's going to be popping up a few times during this story so we'll have lots of opportunities to hate him for being annoying :)

I'm feeling quite happy at the reaction this story seems to be getting as I have 20 reviews for 2 chapters! I doubt we'll reach the amazing heights my last long story reached (which is still number one in the musketeer fandom page XD) as I doubt this one will be as long as that one, but I'm ecstatic for every review I receive and I love hearing what you all think :D

Notes On Reviews:

IsubiCraven: Thanks for the review - Musky banter is a lot of fun for me to write so I'm really glad you enjoyed reading it. I have some more planned for later chapters as well so hopefully you'll like those moments as well :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha yeah D'Art may definitely see it that way :D He's going to be in a bit more trouble today as you'll see but we wont be catching up with him for a couple more chapters. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I loved writing the banter so I'm so happy it seems to be well reviewed :D I was going to have Athos be the one with the bad feeling but he was busy thinking about their current mission and focusing on not killing their prisoner who's annoying him lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the banter, that was a lot of fun to imagine and write :D Athos will definitely be having the same feeling as Porthos after today's chapter, as will Aramis :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - Our boys have spent way too much time together if that's the case lol. Haha I loved the Athos bit too :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh our boys are going to be downright furious when they learn that D'Art's gone off on his own, but we'll see more of that tomorrow. Haha you know me too well :D Our lovely Gascon pup will definitely suffer a fair bit more before the comfort comes. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Good to know :) I have a few things planned for him but if there's anything in particular you'd like to see happen let me know :) Yeah our musky's prisoner isn't related to what's going on with D'Art, he's just why the other inseparables weren't with our pup. Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the reviews - I thought you might like seeing the return of Jacques :D Glad you liked the banter. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Haha glad you liked their fussing, we get a bit more talk about D'Art being paraded around today. Your comments about the banter totally day I think I may have done a little happy dance :D We get a bit more banter over the next few chapters so hopefully I can keep up the good quality of speech :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading. Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Three: Returning To Paris

"Finally!" exclaimed Aramis joyful several days later. The rain had picked up again and had delayed their departure once again, but finally they were on the road, heading back to Paris.

"You make it sound like we were stuck there for months or somethin' 'Mis," teased Porthos with a grin as he urged his horse onwards just enough to sidle up next to the man.

"Might as well have been," grumbled Aramis as he fiddled with his hat, "You weren't the one being sent out to see if our man's Spanish contact was around."

Porthos shook his head as Aramis launched into the same rant he used whenever the matter was brought up. Looking over his shoulder the larger man couldn't help but smirk at the frustrated look on Athos's face.

Their prisoner, having realized he couldn't fight his way out of the situation, had decided to settle on cursing and insulting them at every opportunity, even whilst gagged and as Athos was currently the one in charge of watching the man, it was he who was being forced to listen to the muffled string of insults and curses spewing from their prisoner's mouth, which, judging by the darkening look on his brother's face, were testing the senior musketeer's last nerve.

"So," mused Porthos, loud enough to get the others attention. "Do ya reckon the whelp's snapped yet?"

Aramis snorted, his earlier rant completely forgotten, "Almost a week of nothing but being paraded around like some sort of trophy or prize? I bet the lad was begging Treville to send him out on any sort of mission after day one!"

"I dunno," drawled Porthos, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. "Whelp's been working on his patience… I bet he made it two before the begging started."

"The real question is," smirked Aramis as his eyes lit up in glee, "how many propositions has the King's newest 'pet' received while we've been gone?"

Now it was Porthos's turn to snort in amusement, just imagining the attention their youngest had been enduring since they had been away. "Bet Rousseau's loving it," teased the larger man, his grin widening as he noticed the small half smile tugging at Athos's lips at the comment.

Rousseau was a minor nobleman in Paris who made no secret of his love of attractive people, regardless of gender. The older man had noticed D'Artagnan several weeks ago and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying trying to get the younger man's attention, much to the remaining inseparables great amusement as their brother was completely oblivious to the nobleman's intentions.

The lighthearted banter between the musketeers continued for much of their journey, interrupted only when their prisoner decided to start up his insult tirade again.

"Look," growled Porthos as he twisted in his saddle to glare at the prisoner, hating the man for once again ruining Athos's mood. "We were told to get you back to Paris. It's only our good mood that's keeping you from arriving there black and blue and tied to the back of Athos's horse like a saddlebag so shut your trap before we decided you're not worth the hassle."

The man blanched at Porthos's threat and thankfully was silent for the remainder of the journey.

It took the men slightly longer then they would have liked to reach Paris, mostly because of the damage the heavy rain had done to the roads. Their first stop when they eventually reached the city was to drop their prisoner off at the Bastille to await trial. The prisoner didn't seem to take well to this plan though as had fought them men hard, even managing to give Aramis a black eye with his elbow before Athos gave up fighting him and knocked him unconscious.

The red guard on duty at the Bastille seemed to take great pleasure in the darkening bruise around the medic's eye but a fierce look from Porthos stopped any comments before they started.

After dropping of their prisoner at the Bastille the three men made their way towards the garrison, intending to report to Treville before collapsing into their own beds for the first time in just over a week.

"Rough day Aramis?" smirked Henri, one of the men on watch at the garrison gates. The man was smiling teasingly at the black eye the medic was now sporting but they could all see the slight concern for the marksman in Henri's eyes.

Aramis shrugged, hissing quietly as he reached up to gently prod the darkening bruise. "Some people just don't like the Bastille."

Henri smirked, "Imagine that."

"Is the Captain in?" interrupted Athos, his tone short after having to deal with their prisoner for the majority of the trip back.

Henri shook his head, "He was summoned to the palace before first light this morning, hasn't been back since."

Athos frowned, that did not sound like anything good.

"What bout the whelp?" asked Porthos, leaning around Henri in an attempt to catch sight of their youngest brother.

Henri shrugged, not realizing the slight fear his simple action had caused the men he was talking to. "Haven't seen him in days. He ditched training onw day to speak to Treville then raced out of the garrison, hasn't been back since."

The three inseparables shared a worried look before silently agreeing to seek out answers from Treville. It was unlikely, given the mood the King had been in as of late, that the Captain would have authorized D'Artagnan to go out on a mission, so something serious must have happened and that knowledge settled, like a weight, in their stomachs.

After leaving their tired mounts in Jacques's capable hands and saying a quick goodbye to Henri the inseparables turned to head towards the palace.

"So what do you reckons going on?" asked Porthos as he leaned against a pillar, the trio waiting to be granted audience as Treville was currently speaking with the King.

"Nothing good," sighed Aramis as he ran a hand through his hair, glancing towards the door as if it could give answers.

Porthos was just about to say something else when the muffled sound of Treville's voice caught the trio's attention.

"Your Majesty!" exclaimed the Captain, shocked by what the King had just demanded be put in effect. "I strongly advice against –"

"I don't care Treville!" spat Louis as he all but flung himself on to his throne, his actions granting him a worried look from his Queen who moved to take the seat next to him, silently taking his hand in her own as an offer of comfort and support.

"But to lock –"

"I said," glared Louis, his red-rimmed eyes boring holes into Treville. "I. Don't. Care." Once he was sure Treville wasn't going to question him again he turned to the messenger who stood, waiting to be noticed, by the doors.

"Yes?" he spat, already fed up with having to deal with people today.

"Musketeers Athos, Aramis and Porthos have returned," stated the messenger, no one in the room noticing Treville's slight flinch at the news. "They are requesting to speak to Captain Treville."

Louis sighed, "Bring them in."

Entering the throne room Athos could instantly tell that Aramis's earlier assumption that whatever was going on was nothing good was definitely correct. Both royals looked like they hadn't slept and the King looked deep in grief. What really caught Athos's attention though was the strange look on Treville's face, it was like he wasn't pleased to see them back in one piece. His expression looked to be a mixture of guilt, worry, anger and resignation… none of which did anything to ease the growing pit in the swordsman's stomach.

"Your mission was a success I trust?" enquired Anne when it became apparent that no one else in the room was going to speak.

"Yes Your Majesty," nodded Athos, pausing to bow low to both royals. "We intercepted the man before he could meet with his Spanish contacts and he is now in the Bastille awaiting trial."

"His contact?" questioned Treville, the strange expression now replaced with the serious one he always wore.

Athos shook his head, "Never showed as far as we could tell. We were forced to extend our stay in the village due to the rain; it is possible he was delayed from arriving for the same reason. We did learn that the prisoner was being threatened by his contacts, it is quite likely he could be made to give us a name."

"Excellent work as always musketeers," nodded King Louis, though it was a weary one. Turning to Treville he added, "You have your orders Treville and I expect every single one of your men to follow them, do I make myself clear?"

The trio watched with identical bad feelings as their Captain fought the urge to retort before giving in and nodding, the four of them bowing once again to the couple before being ushered out of the palace.

As soon as they were out of the palace gates the three men turned to their Captain, their eyes silently imploring the man to tell them what was going on.

"Not here," muttered Treville, refusing to look at his men as they made their way back to the garrison.

"Gather the men, I need to make an announcement," instructed Treville to Henri when the group reached the garrison gates. The musketeer glanced over to the inseparables in silent question but moved to follow his Captain's order when it became apparent the trio was as in the dark as he was.

"Cardinal Richelieu is dead," stated Treville solemnly as he addressed his men. He took a minute to let the murmurs finish before continuing, his face expressing just how much he hated what he was about to say. "The King has issued a mandatory mourning period of one week, during which time, no member of the musketeer or Red Guard regiment is allowed to leave the city."

As he finished explaining the situation to his men Treville let his gaze drift to his three best men, guilt filling him as he saw the obvious worry in their eyes for what this would mean for their missing brother.

"Athos, Aramis and Porthos. My office. The rest of you return to your duties."

"Captain what of D'Artagnan?" demanded Athos as soon as the four of them had entered Treville's office.

Treville sighed, sinking into his chair whilst nodding at the remaining chair for his men. "D'Artagnan left the city around a week ago," stated Treville as he poured them all a large glass of brandy.

"We heard," nodded Aramis, his hands tightening on his glass in worry. "What we don't know is why?"

"A letter arrived from his uncle, apparently there is some form of trouble at D'Artagnan's farm."

Aramis's head tiled to the side, confusion lining his face. "Uncle?" he questioned, turning to face his brothers to see if they had heard of this 'uncle' before, both men appearing as confused by the idea as he was.

Treville nodded, "From what D'Artagnan told me they are far from close."

"Then why's 'e contacting the whelp?" Porthos asked, worry for their youngest filling his voice.

"D'Artagnan said he was watching the farm for him until he could find someone to manage it on a permanent basis."

"So what's the trouble?" asked Athos, his whole body itching to go racing out after his brother, hating the idea he had gone off alone.

Treville shook his head, "He was vague about it but I got the feeling it was more because of the information he himself had been given. D'Artagnan was desperate to leave and, after putting up with the King's demands for so long, I felt he was owed the time off. I gave him specific instruction to message me when he reached both the Gascon border and Lupiac itself."

Athos sighed, understanding from his Captain's words where this was going. "Which he has failed to do I'm guessing."

Treville nodded, lifting a small piece of parchment off of his desk. "This came from him a few days ago, it states he made it safely to the Gascon border." As his men breathed sighs of relief Treville hated himself for what he was about to say. "Unfortunately I've received no word passed that point. Lupiac isn't that far, a day and a half's ride at worst. Word should have reached me by now of his arrival there."

"Is it possible the roads have simply delayed it, the rain has done some serious damage to some of them?" enquired Aramis, concern for their youngest building in his gut.

"Possibly," acknowledged Treville, "I had planned to send you out after him once you returned… but now…"

"Now?"

"The King's mood is dire in the wake of the Cardinal's death and he has already seen all three of you back in Paris. For any of you to leave the city before the mourning period has been lifted would be risking inciting his anger… especially if, as Aramis's suggested, the letter has simply been delayed by the rain."

"So we're leaving him alone?" said Athos, his voice tense as his hand gripped the arm of his chair. Leaving their brother to handle some vague form of trouble alone in a town that brought back such painful memories for him did not sit well with any of the inseparables, but they could tell, even without Treville saying it, that there would be no way they could leave before the week was up.

"I suggest you get some rest gentlemen," said Treville softly, his face one of regret for his men's predicament. "You may need to leave speedily come the end of the week, it would not do for you to be too exhausted to do so."