Evening My Lovelies

So we've got a bit of everyone today, we've got Inseparables, Treville, Louis, Jacques ... AND as I know you've been dying to see him D'ART!

I'm dying to know what you all think of the D'Art section of this chapter as it is by far my favourite bit in the entire chapter so PLEASE review!

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Definitely going slightly crazy with worry that's for sure but they get to leave today so that's a good start. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - I was tempted to have him sneak off but I think he knew the other two would follow him and he didn't want them to be punished for his decision. I loved writing the bickering/banter between the two boy so I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - It's only going to get worse before it gets better I'm afraid :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - I'm really glad you liked it, I wasn't sure how well the idea would go down but I really wanted to write it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I think Reynard's only going to feel more guilty when he finds out what happened :) Haha I loved that line too :D Don't worry our boys will be riding out today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Athos will be feeling guilty (even though its definitely not his fault!) Louis annoyed in general lately but yeah our boys will be waiting until the times up to leave. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - We'll be seeing some more of our other musketeers in the next few chapters too :) Glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

IsubiCraven: Thanks for the review - I'm really glad you're excited, hopefully the story will be worth your excitement :) I'm also glad you liked the insight into the other musketeers. I wasn't sure how it would be received but I really wanted to write it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

GoGirl212: Thanks for the review - Yeah our boys will be riding out today so that's one less thing to stress them out. We'll be seeing a bit of D'Art today but I can't promise it'll help any :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - Haha I'm glad you liked that line it was one of my favourites for that chapter :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

The dreamer (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha yeah our boys will be out for blood when they learn the truth. We'll be seeing a bit of D'Art today but I can't promise it'll help any. Glad you liked the chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Probably which is why they will be waiting for the mourning period to end before leaving... much to their annoyance. I really enjoyed writing Porthos and Aramis in this chapter so I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. Tension between Athos and Treville is always interesting to write and you'll get to see a snippet of what D'Art's been dealing with today :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - Hello again my friend :) Hmmm might that thing be some Athos whumpage? :D I don't have anything definitive set in terms of Athos whumpage yet but I do have the perfect opportunity in a later chapter for something to happen to him so we will some at some point I promise, though the beginning of this story will focus on D'Artagnan so it'll be a bit of a wait. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Well we'll get to see a bit of what D'Art's been up to at the end of today's chapter but I can't promise it'll be overly reassuring :D Anxious/worried Athos, especially over D'Art is soooo much fun to write so I'm glad you enjoy reading it. I'm really happy with how well received the last chapter was as I was worried the idea for it wouldn't go over well but people seemed to have enjoyed it so I'm happy :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it, I really wanted to show how the wait was effecting everyone and how they were reacting to it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Haha glad you liked it, not quite sure where the idea for it came from but the mental image made me laugh so I had to include it. I'm really really happy you liked the insight into the minds of the other musketeers, not just our inseparable boys. I've really come to enjoy delving into the other relationships/friendships in the garrison besides our main boys and I figured they'd all be worried about our boy as well. With D'Art's habit of hiding injuries I figured he'd also hide just how uncomfortable he was with a situation like the one the King put him in, especially when his brothers seemed to find it funny. But at the same time I didnt want him to have to bottle it all up, hence his friendship with Alain. Luckily for the men Porthos sent to the infirmary he didnt hurt them too badly. Reynard's guilt is going to grow when he learns the truth of what's happened :D Our boy's will be heading out today and Porthos and Aramis will be keeping watch on Athos that's for sure. We wont be seeing Corinne for a little bit yet and you'll get a sneak peak as to one of the main reasons why later in this chapter :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

P.S Just realized I never put a disclaimer in for this story so here it is: I do not own the musketeers, only the OC's

Chapter Five: Leaving

"ATHOS!" called Treville, not appearing at all surprised when two other heads shot up along with the one he had been calling.

"Sir?" questioned Athos, his voice strained due to the tension coiling in his body. This was the final day of the mandatory mourning period and now several days passed when D'Artagnan should have returned and to everyone's great worry, no word of their young friend had been sent.

Athos and the other inseparables had spent the last day and a half re-going over their planned route as well as concocting several plans for various different scenarios' that could play out.

With it being so close to when they could leave the three men were incredibly tense and anxious, causing their already strained tempers to become short, which in turn had the remained of the regiment leaving them alone.

Treville hated the hope he could see in his men's eyes, Athos hid it better than his brothers but it was there even for him. He couldn't blame them he supposed, considering he had just returned from the palace and it was the day before the lockdown would be over. He hated that he couldn't give them what they were so desperately hoping for.

"We've been summoned by the King, the three of you follow me," Treville explained as he spun on his heels to head to the gates of the garrison.

Aramis's eyebrow's furrowed in confusion. "Haven't you just come from the palace?" he questioned, though he followed regardless.

Treville nodded, "I was meeting minister Laurent, the King's messenger found me afterwards and instructed I was to bring the three of you with me to a meeting with his Majesty."

"Any idea what this meeting is regarding?" Athos asked as the group entered the palace.

"None," sighed Treville as he wiped his hand over his face tiredly. "His Majesty has not been himself as of late, the Cardinal's death has hit him hard."

Aramis's face softened into something akin to pity, "He's grieving…"

Turning to face his men Treville knew he needed to warn them for whatever was about to happen. "His Majesty has remained largely in his bedchamber, not even the Queen has been granted access." At the Captain's words three sets of eyebrows rose in surprise, though Treville continued before they could comment. "As I said, the King is not himself. I have no clue as to the nature of this meeting but given the mood in the palace as of late I doubt it is anything good."

"We're about to find out," murmured Athos as he spotted the King's messenger approaching them, ready to lead them to the King.

"Treville," nodded King Louis curtly as the men entered. One glance at the King was all it took for the musketeer group to see just how hard the young ruler was taking the death of his advisor. Louis's typically well-maintained appearance was now thoroughly disheveled and he had dark circles around his eyes speaking to his trouble sleeping.

"Your Majesty," bowed Treville, the action mimicked by his men. Treville's voice had a hint of hesitation in it as he picked up on the displeased tone to his monarch's voice.

"I have been informed Treville," huffed the King as he cut straight to the point, another sign something was wrong. "That three of your men failed to return to the city, as ordered, to pay respects to the late Cardinal."

The inseparables desperately wanted to make some snide comment then but wisely held their tongues… an achievement in and of itself given their current moods.

Treville bit back a sigh as he nodded, having feared this might come up at some point.

"Musketeer's Issac and Favier are currently hunting down a fugitive. I sent the order to their check in point but it is possibly they have found a lead and so have yet to be back to even see said order," explained Treville diplomatically, ignoring the surprised looks from his men, none of whom had even noticed the men to be absent from the city due to their worry over their brother.

"A fugitive?" inquired Louis, his frustration fading as his natural curiosity took its place, something that almost made Treville smile to see.

"Quentin Beaulne," nodded Treville, "He leads a large group of mercenaries and bandits that have been plaguing the outlying villages. Rumor is he's turned to human trafficking and slavery to expand his empire."

The three musketeers tensed at the mention of slavery, concerned glances subtly being sent Porthos's way, the other men knowing just how much of a sore spot slavery was for their dear friend. Before any of them could comment on what they just learnt Treville continued.

"Issac and Favier were tasked with hunting Quentin down and learning as much as they could as to the nature of his operation, focusing largely on whether or not these new rumors were true or mere lies fabricated by desperate farmers trying to receive aid. My men have approval to kill or apprehend Quentin should the opportunity provide itself."

Louis nodded, his disgust at Quentin's actions letting him move passed the fact that the men had failed to return.

"And D'Artagnan?" mused the King, his earlier frustration bleeding back into his voice. "It hardly sends a good presentence that my own Champion isn't present to mourn the Cardinal now does it?"

This time the inseparables had a much harder time containing themselves, Porthos actually having to go as far as biting the inside of his cheek to stop the snigger that wanted to escape. The mere thought that D'Artagnan, who down right hated the Cardinal, would want to do anything but jump for joy over the man's death was highly comical for the three men.

Treville shifted uncomfortably, not entirely sure how to explain the situation without risking the King's ire for the missing man. "D'Artagnan is –"

"Missing," stated Athos as he took a step forward, much to the surprise of the room's occupants, none having expected the man to cut off his Captain, especially in front of the King.

"Missing?" repeated Louis, something almost akin to worry bleeding into his voice as an eyebrow rose in question.

"It is a likely outcome yes," admitted Treville, doing his best not to glare at the senior musketeer standing next to him. He knew exactly what Athos was doing, playing on the King's recent … fondness, for the young Gascon to try and get the man's permission to leave the city earlier.

"Explain Treville."

For the next few minutes the only sound in the room was Treville's voice as he explained, as carefully as he could, the situation to the King.

"So there has been no word?" asked Louis once the explanation was over.

Treville shook his head; "I have an associate who lives near the Gascony border who likes to communicate via messenger birds. I sent one enquiring as to the state of the region and asking for any rumors he may have heard…"

Athos and the other inseparables blinked in surprised, none of them aware their Captain had tried to find out what was going on with D'Artagnan even with the King's orders limiting their options.

"And?" huffed Louis, already boring of the conversation

"No response," sighed Treville. "D'Artagnan is late returning and with no word we are becoming worried for his safety."

This, as it turned out, was the completely wrong thing to say as any concern the King may have been beginning to feel immediately vanished.

"The boy is a musketeer Treville," drawled the King patronizingly, "he can look after himself no doubt… he defeated LaBarge after all."

Treville blinked, slightly stunned by the callousness in which the King was speaking. "Your Majesty," he said hesitantly, "That was a one-on-one fight D'Ar-"

"Will be fine Treville," dismissed the King, "No doubt he's merely enjoying the visit home and lost track of the days." Rising from his seat the King ignored the looks on his men's faces that ranged from disappointment at being shot down before they could even make their request and anger at him dismissing the potentially dangerous situation their friend had found himself in. "When he does come back, bring him to me," and with that the King left the room.

"Well…" sighed Aramis, his heart breaking slightly at the hopeless look in his brothers' eyes.

"Return to the garrison," ordered Treville gently, not missing the looks either. "I want you three gone at first light."

Just as the sun was beginning to rise the following day the three musketeers made their way to the stables, only to stop in surprise when they noticed all three of their horses, saddled and ready to go by the garrison gates.

"I figured you'd be leaving as soon as possible," spoke a clearly tired voice, startling the men out of their slightly stunned stupor.

"Jacques?" breathed Porthos as they watched the tired teen exit the stables.

"They're just waiting for your saddle bags then you're good to go. Serge came out not too long ago with some travel rations and water skins, I've already attached them to the saddles for you."

Aramis smiled fondly at the teen before them. Each of them knew how close Jacques and D'Artagnan had become since the Gascon started showing up around the garrison. Knowing he would be little help in the search, helping with the preparations was likely the only thing the young teen before them could think of doing to aid his friend.

"Did you sleep at all Jacques?" enquired the medic gently, his brows furrowing in concern at just how tired the teen appeared to be.

"Couple of hours," shrugged Jacques, a large yawn escaping him before he continued. "Captain wanted all the horses checked ready for duty as normal today and with you guys leaving after D'Artagnan…"

Porthos smiled and clamped a hand down on the boy's shoulders, almost knocking him over with the force of it. "Thanks Jacques."

"Just find him…"

SEVERAL DAYS EARLIER

D'Artagnan hissed in pain as flames danced across his bare skin, cursing himself for getting too close to them as he searched for survivors.

The Gascon had already found a few of the villagers but with the surprise attack still underway and many homes now burning his task had gotten significantly harder.

He had just finished killing one of the attackers when a shrill scream caught his attention, all blood draining from his face as he located the source.

"NO!" roared the musketeer, pain and anguish clearly evident in his voice.

Without even thinking the Gascon threw himself in front of the attackers blade, reacting quickly to end the attacker's life by plunging his blade into his chest.

"Mémé," whimpered the musketeer as he spun to face the shaken elderly woman, collapsing to his knees he took her face in his hands, worried eyes checking her over for injuries.

"C-Charlie," wheezed a male voice, the mere sound of it bringing tears to the younger man's eyes.

"Pépé," breathed D'Artagnan his hands moving from the older woman to grasp the bloodied hands of the elderly gentleman bleeding out on the floor.

An inspection of the wound told D'Artagnan all he needed to know. He might not have Aramis's training but he had learned enough in his time around the man to recognize a fatal wound when he saw one.

Seeing the older man dying out in his arms broke the tenuous hold on his emotions he had and D'Artagnan collapsed against the man's chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Pépé," whimpered the Gascon, his breath catching in his throat as he felt the shaky hands of the man who had once been his mentor weave their way through his damp hair.

The old man, Mathis, had once been a solider but had retired to the village when an injury crippled him and left him unable to serve. The former solider had found love with Maria and despite the pair never having children of their own they had lived every day happy and together.

Mathis and D'Artagnan's father Alexandre had been friends and D'Artagnan had often been left in the senior man's care as a child when he was too young to help his father around the farm.

It had been Mathis who had inspired the young musketeer's love and passion for swordplay as a child and, once he was old enough, the first to take to training him and D'Artagnan had considered him, and his wife, as an extra set of beloved grandparents since an early age.

"L-Look … after her… please," whispered Mathis, his voice weak as he looked at the crying form of his wife with love and regret burning brightly in his dimming eyes.

Nodding frantically D'Artagnan tightened his hold on the dying man, his eyes straying to the sobbing woman. "Of course Pépé," he promised, devotion and love clear in his eyes. "I'll protect her with my life."

Something about D'Artagnan's statement seemed to strike a cord with the dying man as his eyes widened in panic, "C-Corinne?"

Smiling tearfully at his mentor and grandfather, D'Artagnan gently stroked his face. "Safe, I got her out before I found you. I'll take Mémé to her soon and then we'll all head to Paris in the morning, my brothers will help watch over them. They'll be safe I promise."

Mathis smiled fondly at the crying man, love filling him, as he looked to the boy he and his love had helped raise. The boy had his father's determination, as proved by the pauldron he had proudly sported when he entered the village earlier that day. It warmed the dying man's heart to know the child would not be left alone and he had someone watching out for him.

Mathis opened his mouth to verbally state this when a series of coughs shook his frail frame.

"PÉPÉ!" cried D'Artagnan. His and Maria's sobs shaking them both violently as they saw Mathis's chest still.

For several moments the pair simply sat, rooted in their grief, only being pulled from it by the sound of crackling wood as the flames ate many of the surrounding houses.

"Come mémé," said D'Artagnan softly as he stumbled to his feet, his hand reaching out for the older woman. "We have to go."

Distraught to leave her husband but knowing he would not want her to meet his fate the elderly woman reached up to take the boy she considered a grandchild's hand, her eyes widening in horror as she noticed something the boy himself hadn't registered yet.

"Charles you're hurt!"