Evening My Lovelies
We're soooo close to D'Art returning... Are you all excited! I'm really hoping it's going to have been worth the wait, I'd hate it if we get to tomorrows chapter and it ends up being a disappointment for you all :S
On a positive note though I think I've managed to finish the chapter I said I was stuck on yesterday. Definitely isn't my best work but it's enough that I can move on with the next chapter and maybe come back to it before it eventually gets published so I'm counting that as a win lol.
Also on an even better note has anyone noticed that this story almost has 100 reviews and we're not even in double digits chapter-wise yet! *happy dance*
Notes On Reviews:
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Yeah no sign of D'Art yet... Soon I promise! Very soon. (I admit I'm curious as to what song lyric it will be today) :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - I'm glad to hear you're feeling a bit better. Migraines are evil things that's for sure. Poor Aramis does always seem to be her target bless him. Our boys are sooo close to finding the whelp... so very very close! Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - It got dark quick yesterday didn't it :) Ooooh I can't wait for D'Art to appear again, I'm having a lot of fun whumping him at the moment and am eager to see what you all think of it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - *Howls Back* :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
GoGirl212: Thanks for the review - You are definitely right to be worried about D'Art, he's in quite bad shape at the moment. Our other inseparables are going through a bit of an emotional rollacoster at the moment and it's about to get worse :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm glad you're liking it. We're getting close to some D'Art moments, he's in bad shape and only going to get worse so you should enjoy the next few chapters :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Haha you know me too well :D Yes D'Art has found himself in quite a bit of trouble :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter6) glad to hear it :D (chapter7) The writers block is really annoying. Usually when I have it its because I don't know what I want to do with a chapter or what I want to write whereas this time I know exactly what I want the chapter to have in it... I just can't seem to write it :( I think I've managed to do it now but it's really not my best work. I'm hoping I'll be inspired to revisit it before it ends up getting published so I can improve it but we'll see. :D I do love my cliffhangers so your comment really made me smile :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter6) I wont say if the missions will overlap but Issac and Favier will be joining back up with our boys in a later chapter... our muskys are going to need some back up :D (chapter7) Haha yeah he's still in trouble but worry not you be seeing him again soon :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I know I'm being mean and dragging it out and making you all anxiously wait, I'm now only hoping that the chapter proves to be worth the wait. Glad you seem to be enjoying the story so far, hopefully you'll continue to do so as it progresses :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - OOooh tempting maybe I'll change it as you make a very good point. I should probably be worried about how often I change the direction of a story or come up with a new story idea because my brain has a thought and goes "Oooh this will hurt so-and-so more if we do this" but it seems to be working for me now so I'm not complaining. D'Art's not too far but he's in quite a state at the moment. Our boys will be meeting someone else first before they find our pup. I'm quite pleased you're looking forward to seeing Corinne and Maria as well as D'Art as I quite like both women and am really looking forward to developing their relationship and history with D'Art. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Eight: Missing Brother
"Any luck?" Porthos asked solemnly as he met up with Aramis at the end of his sweep of the village. He himself had found nothing but burnt homes and dead bodies, the sight of which would haunt his dreams for days to come he was sure.
Aramis shook his head, "None. Everyone I found had already passed."
A growl drew its way up through Porthos's throat as he thought of the many lives that had been needlessly ended in this attack, something that was made worse by the fact that these were his brother's people - his neighbors and friends. No doubt their missing brother had seen many of them fall in his attempts to get those he could to safety and Porthos couldn't help but worry how they were going to help him through the days that would follow when they found him.
The situation was similar to Aramis after Savoy, something that brought painful memories to all those involved. It was an unspoken fact between the three men that D'Artagnan had suffered horrific nightmares after the murder of his father and the larger musketeer couldn't help but fear what his baby brother was going to endure after seeing countless people he grew up with die before his eyes.
He was pulled from his thoughts by the faint, yet still clear, shout of Aramis's name from Athos. The two men shared a quick look before racing towards their brother, knowing he would only be shouting if it was an emergency.
"He's still alive," informed the swordsman as he saw the medic approach.
Aramis wasted no time, practically skidding to a stop in front of the barely breathing man. As he knelt down he lifted his medical supplies from his shoulder, his eyes filling with pity as he took in the large pool of blood surrounding the man and the injury he had sustained.
"…'Mis?" said Porthos curiously as he noticed the slouched shoulders of his brother who, to their surprise, was doing nothing to help.
"…H-He's…" stammered the medic, anger and sadness warring for dominance in his voice.
"…T-To… L-L-Late," coughed the man, his glazed eyes staring sympathetically at the men surrounding him.
"He's lost too much blood," said Aramis softly as he took the man's hands in his own, trying to offer the man some semblance of peace before the end. "It's amazing he managed to hold out as long as he has," added Aramis quietly for his brother's ears only.
The man's lips quirked upwards into a small shaky smile, "H…H-Had a… b-bit of… he-help," he rasped his hands weakly moving to the completely sodden bandage covering the still bleeding wound.
Aramis smiled sadly at the knowledge that someone had tried to help this man, to give him a fighting chance, his smile growing when he noticed something familiar about the bandage.
"D'Artagnan's work?" asked the medic as he nodded to the bandage, ignoring the confused looks on his brothers' faces.
At their brother's name the dying man's smile widened fractionally as he offered them a weak nod.
"H…He… g-got… my… my gi-girls… got… them…o-out," coughed the man, his words quiet and slurred as he fought to stay conscious, though in his state he missed the proud smiles that graced the faces of the musketeers around him.
Before they could question him further the man let out a quiet sigh, his eyes closing as the rise and fall of his chest slowed to a stop.
For a few moments the musketeer's remained rooted to the spot, completely silent.
"How'd you know it was the whelp's work?" asked Porthos curiously as he and his brothers began to make their way to their horses, both himself and Athos pretending not to notice Aramis furiously picking at the blood staining his nails.
"He has his own particular way of tying bandages I've noticed," explained the medic as he mounted his horse.
"Really 'Mis," grinned Porthos as he urged his horse to move next to the medic's, "Of all the things you notice it's the way he ties bandages?"
Athos shook his head, the sadness in his eyes retreating slightly as fondness for his brother's actions took it place and he allowed the men a few minutes to bicker and banter before clearing his throat, instantly gaining their complete attention. "Let's move, we've got a forest to search."
"I swear," grumbled Porthos as he and Aramis waited for Athos who had ridden a head to scout, swatting yet another bug that landed on his skin, "If we've come in here for nothing…"
Aramis chuckled, his response prompting his brother to glare at him, which in turn only made him laugh harder.
"Why aren't they biting you?" grumbled the larger musketeer, still firmly glaring at his brother, who to his credit, was trying very hard not to laugh at his friend.
"You must be a delicacy my friend," grinned Aramis, thoroughly enjoying his friend's predicament
"Please tell me we've got a lead," begged Porthos as he noticed Athos approaching, the swordsman looking slightly confused by his brother's words but nodded regardless, his expression somewhat grim despite his obvious attempts to conceal it.
"There are a few tracks leading in that direction, though it is clear someone tried to hide them," explained the swordsman as he pointed towards the direction he had just come from.
Aramis's head tilted to one side as he observed his brother, "Athos," he said somewhat hesitantly, waiting until his brother was looking at him to continue, "What aren't you telling us?"
At his brother's words Porthos's attention, which had been observing their surroundings, snapped back to the swordsman, instantly noticing what had caught the sharpshooter's attention.
Athos sighed, having known one of them would have commented on it before too long. "The trail…" he said quietly, his grip subtly tightening on the reigns he was holding. "There's blood in the tracks, someone's hurt."
"Let's move," declared Aramis firmly as soon as Athos's words had left his mouth, not willing to let someone else suffer because they were too late arriving.
As they followed the tracks the musketeer's became increasingly worried for the person whose tracks they were following. Initially they had hoped it was D'Artagnan's tracks they were following but as the tracks became more obvious and coated in more blood they found themselves praying they were caused by one of the villagers or even one of the attackers and not their little brother.
They rode in silence, each of them lost in their thoughts and worry, none more so than Aramis who was mentally cataloging all the different wounds someone could have sustained to leave the blood trail they were following. It was at times like this that he found himself hating his training as a medic as there was no way for him to turn that particular part of his mind off so he was forced to endure the mental play of every scenario his subconscious could create.
Porthos had been alternating between worrying about the creator of the trail and worrying about Aramis. Both he and Athos knew how their brother got during situations like this and so knew his friend was playing every worst case scenario through his head as they rode. Porthos wished there was something he could do or say to ease his brother's worry but he also knew that nothing would help until they found whoever was injured.
"Hold," whispered Athos, his voice quiet yet sharp as he pulled his horse to a stop, his brothers following moments after, silent questions on their faces as they wondered why they had been ordered to stop.
The answer to that came mere seconds later when a disheveled and clearly panicked young woman emerged from the trees with a small empty bucket. The woman did a quick scan of the area, not noticing the musketeers who had shifted to better conceal themselves behind the trees, before heading towards the small stream, lowering her bucket into the cool, clear water.
The musketeers watched her for a moment, each trying to decide how best to approach the woman, not knowing if she was genuinely as scared as she looked or if it was an act put on to lull her targets into believing her weak and defenseless.
Aramis was the one to break their silence when he noticed the large amount of red staining the woman's dress. At the sight of it his medic training kicked in and had him dismounting and making his way to her before any of his brothers could even register what he was doing.
"Mademoiselle," he called softly as he approached, guilt filling him when he saw how badly he had managed to startle her and the fear that flooded into her eyes.
"S-Stay back!" exclaimed the woman as she dropped her bucket and instead pulled a small dagger from the belt around her waist, her actions causing Aramis to raise his hands up in surrender and for the other two musketeers to emerge from the shadows to aid the friend.
"We mean you no harm mademoiselle," stated the medic softly, looking directly into her eyes so she could see the truth in his words. "I saw the blood on your dress," at this the fear in her eyes was instantly replaced by a great sorrow that tore at Aramis's heart. "I have medical training, I can help if you're hurt…"
"I…Its not mine," said the woman quietly, her grip on the dagger loosening slightly as she began to accept that the men before her weren't going to attack her.
"Is someone else hurt mademoiselle?" asked Aramis gently, his worry over the amount of blood on her dress clear in his voice.
At the medic's question tears flooded the woman's eyes, though she refused to let them fall as she gave them a jerky nod. "M-My brother," she admitted quietly.
The pain and worry in her voice tore at the hearts of the men, each knowing what it was like to worry over a brother.
Wanting to take the woman's mind off of it for just a moment Aramis cleared his throat, causing the group's attention to snap back to him.
"My apologies my lady," smiled the sharpshooter as he offered the now slightly confused woman a small bow. "I realized we have yet to properly introduce ourselves. I am Aramis of the King's musketeers and these are my brothers Athos and Porthos."
Athos's eyes narrowed as he saw the flicker of surprise and recognition that flashed across the woman's face.
"I take it from your expression that you've heard of us?" he asked stoically, a prickle of guilt hitting him as he noticed the woman flinch under his glare.
The woman nodded, clearing her throat quickly before replying. "Charles told me," she explained, not missing the way the three men perked up at the mention of the young man. "He said you were good, honorable men and that I could trust you."
"Well now I feel all warm inside," mused Aramis with a cheeky grin that briefly fell from his face when Porthos, who snorted at his words, lightly elbowed him in the stomach.
"You know D'Artagnan?" questioned Athos, ignoring the small smile that wanted to grow at how the younger man had described them to his 'friend'
When the woman nodded he added, "Does he live?" Again the woman nodded, causing Athos to let out a sigh of relief that didn't last long when the woman turned to Aramis, her eyes wide and pleading.
"Please, I need your help. My… My brother. He's dying, please! Nothing I'm doing is helping… I can't lose him, please!"
As she pleaded for help the tears she had tried so hard to contain escaped and streamed down her face, causing Aramis to reach out and gently squeeze her hand.
"Lead the way my lady," he said gently, smiling softly when a brightly, relieved smile lit up her face. "We'll do what we can."
Without another word the woman picked up her now full bucket, blushing slightly when Porthos took it out of her arms without a word, and began leading them through the trees, explaining her brother's injuries as best she could.
As they walked Aramis listened to her explain what her brother had suffered and was quite surprised by the man's resilience. He then began to plan how he would handle the wounds and what he would need to do so when they arrived.
Unfortunately all those thoughts fled from his mind the second he stepped into the small cave and found out exactly who his patient was.
"D'ARTAGNAN!"