Evening My Lovelies
We have another chapter with all of our boys in it today, although we still have a bit to go before they reunite.
I absolutely love the end of this chapter, I think it's really cute/sweet. Let me know if you agree! :D
Notes On Reviews:
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Missed them by a few hours unfortunately :( Worry not our boys will catch up before too long and the longer it takes the more furious our boys will become :D I think Aramis is growing on Remy. I still haven't decided what I'm doing with him yet, I'm kinda just letting the creative juices flow whenever he shows up, it's quite fun :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Athos is probably not in the best mindset to be leading, given how worried he is but I thoroughly enjoyed writing that rant of his. I hadn't intended, originally, to be as harsh as I was but it seemed to fit his mindset. We've got another cute moment today :) Hope you like it. You make a good point and it gets addressed in tomorrows chapter. I was tempted to have them just leave D'Art but I think the reasoning I have for why he's still there makes sense... plus if he goes I wont be able to have cute moments like we get today :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Sounds about right lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter16) bandit banter is surprisingly fun to write :) We get a bit more of it today but more so in the coming chapters. I'm glad you're enjoying it. This story is taking a slightly different path then I had originally be planning too. Originally I wasn't going to have either musketeer kidnapped, it was a bit of a last minute impulse when I was writing that chapter so pretty much everything after that is completely different from what I had originally planned... But i think it's turning out better this way so I'm more than okay with it :D (chapter17) Haha when is it ever that easy :D Glad you liked the girls, they're going to take a bit of a breather from the story for a bit but they'll be back before too long. The relationship between Aramis and Remy is sooooo much fun to write I can't wait to continue to develop it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Well I'm not about to make it easy for them :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - We've got a few more chapters until they're all back together, probably not going to be together until chapter 21-22ish... so we're close but I've got a bit more planned yet :) Yay I'm glad you think so. I absolutely adore the Athos/D'Art relationship but with Aramis being more openly empathetic it means I can write more emotional/cute scenes between those two :D I can't wait to see where I take Remy either :D I'm really loving his character and his growing friendship (if you could call it that) with Aramis. I have a plan for D'Art so don't worry :) He's got quite the recovery before him so I see any improvement that might happen in the near future to be a brief respite for the boy. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Athos's rant was sooo much fun to write. It turned out harsher then I originally planned but I love it all the same... Besides they can't be taking the girls with them on this, no matter how much they want to come. Gotta love the brief snuggly moment :D Our boys will catch up before too long but we've got a couple of chapters before that happens. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Good god woman what are you on tonight? That's a bizarre review even for you! lol :D No Aramis did not do a quick cross stitch lol ... I'm now picturing that selfie... *shakes head* Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - I won't say who it was but you'll be finding out right away so you won't be kept waiting too long :) Athos's rant was a lot of fun but yeah came out quite a bit harsher than I had originally envisioned. He'll be feeling slightly guilty over his words though once he's had a chance to calm down and come to his senses, he's a bit too worried about his brothers at the moment to be thinking clearly and Corinne being "difficult" only made things worse. D'Art's doing okay at the moment but you're right to worry. Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm not going to say but you'll find out right away anyways so you wont be waiting too long :) Athos will be regretting being so harsh once he's calm down a bit... he's too worried about Aramis and D'Art at the moment to think of anything else. The move's not going to be kind to either of them that's for sure :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I had SOOO much fun writing that rant and I completely agree, when Athos speaks that much (and that angrily) you shut up and listen! :D It turned out harsher than I originally envisioned but I felt it really worked with the mindset he was in at the time so didn't see the point of changing it. We've got another cute moment today that I absolutely love. I can't wait to see what you think of it! :D I'm sooo glad you love D'Arty too as I've figured out the scene I'm going to include it in so it's definitely happening! It wont be showing up for a little bit though as I want our boy's back in Paris for it to happen but good god am I excited to write it :D It's gonna be great! Remy's really growing on me and I love it. His fascination is going to be his motivation for doing things that go against his bandit character at the moment but I'm still not sure how good he'll turn out to be when things go down in later chapters. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Cookies and scrumptious cakes for everyone who follows/favourites/reviews/reads
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Eighteen: Surprise Help
The sound of the swordsman's voice made the two figures jump in surprise, neither having heard either musketeer's arrival. With a speed and efficiency that could only come from years of training the two men spun on their heels, drawing their blades and taking up defensive stances as soon as they were facing the musketeers.
It took barely a second for surprise and alarm to flash across the faces of everyone in the clearing as each man slowly lowered their blades, their eyes never leaving the men before them.
"Athos," breathed one of the men, his eyes wide with confusion, shock and worry. "Wha-What are you doing here?"
The second man took over speaking then, his own disbelief at the men before him evident in his voice as he spoke. "Lupiac's hours from here. I-I thought you were looking for D'Artagnan? … And where's Aramis, shouldn't he be with you?"
The presence of the two men sent a stab of fear through both musketeers and as such it took a few moments for it to register that they were being spoken to.
"Don't take this wrong," sighed Porthos tiredly as he sheathed his blade. "But you really aint the musketeers we were looking for."
Both Issac and Favier shared a confused look before their attention was grabbed by Athos, the heartbreak and fear in his voice causing their own hearts to clench in sympathy.
"Tell me you're not," breathed Athos, his hands clenched into fists as he struggled to get control of his emotions. "Tell me you're not here looking for Him, please Issac!"
Despite the confusion filling the pair of them, both Issac and Favier could guess what was going on by the pure and utter desperation in their friends' expressions and voices.
"…We are I'm afraid," admitted Issac quietly, hating to be the one to deliver the news. "We received a lead stating Quentin had a camp here. By the time we arrived though…"
There was silence for a moment in the clearing as the impact of what had happened sank in.
"Aramis… and D'Artagnan?" asked Favier moments later, a serious expression settling on his face.
"Yeah," admitted Porthos quietly, his heart breaking at the news that their brothers had been right where they were now standing only hours before. "Bandits, who I think its safe to assume belonged to Quentin's gang, attacked the whelp's village. The place was practically destroyed, not much was even left standing. The whelp managed to help get a bunch of the villagers out but not without earning himself some serious wounds first. Aramis was watching over him while me and 'Thos went back to investigate the village… They… They were gone when we came back."
A flash of sympathetic understanding flooded into both Issac and Favier's eyes, though Favier's quickly returned to the serious expression he had been wearing only moments earlier.
"That would explain what we found Is," stated the musketeer as he turned to his friend, not noticing the looks his words earned him from the other two musketeers.
"Here," stated Issac quickly, having understood what Favier was talking about and eager to help their friends. Taking a step back the musketeer pointed to the ground where a series of symbols were etched into the ground. "We had no idea what they meant but if Aramis and D'Artagnan were here then this is definitely meant for you two."
Without wasting a second both Athos and Porthos pushed themselves forward, kneeling beside each other to stare at the hastily scribbled symbols.
"'Mis you genius!" beamed Porthos as he smacked Athos, who was looking a bit lighter, on the shoulder.
"You understand it then?" asked Favier, curiosity clear in his voice.
"We worked a mission once," explained Porthos with a nod, his smile still on his face. "A bunch of coded letters had been found and we had to find out their contents."
Both Issac and Favier nodded, both somewhat remembering the mission as it had earned the inseparables a rather lavish gift from a visiting nobleman when it was discovered the letters contained a plot to kill not only him but his two eldest sons as well.
"'Mis was quite fascinated by the codes used and started this whole rant about how we should have a code so we can converse secretly if needed," explained Porthos, his eyes flickering to Athos who was re-reading the coded message.
"It confirms they were both here," stated Athos stoically before either Issac or Favier could ask what the message said. "As we thought Aramis has not stayed injury free and they're being forced to move."
Issac blinked, "You got all that from a few pictures?"
Porthos chuckled, "'Mis was quite creative… We should be on the look out for this symbol," he added pointing to the symbol that most resembled the fleur-de-lis on their pauldrons. "That'll tell us we're on the right path."
Aramis bit back a curse for, at least, the tenth time that hour as a stab of white hot pain shot through his shoulder. He was doing everything in his power to keep from outwardly showing just how much pain the wound was causing him but that was getting difficult.
They had been on the road for hours now and unlike his brother, who had been all but thrown into the back of a wagon, earning the men who handled him a dark growl from the medic, Aramis had been deemed well enough to walk and was now being forced to follow behind the wagon, his hands tied to a rope connected to it.
Unfortunately this connection meant that he felt every jarring of the wagon and it was doing little to help the pain in his arm. The wound had started to bleed again about an hour ago and the logical medic part of him was beginning to seriously panic that more damage had been done then he had anticipated.
"Drink," ordered a familiar voice startling the medic from his completive thoughts.
"Hard to do like this," sassed Aramis tiredly, a small glare being aimed at the bandit next to him as he weakly raised his arms to indicate he couldn't use them.
Sighing Remy lifted the water skin to the medic's lips, "Drink."
The desire for something to soothe the dry ache in his throat overwhelmed Aramis's pride for a moment and he allowed himself to drink several large mouthfuls of the offered water, noting with no small amount of confusion, the all too familiar taste of a pain draught mixed with the liquid.
"Can't have you passing out on us now can we?" smirked Remy as he tied the water skin back to his belt before picking up his pace to rejoin his boss, the two of them quickly settling into quite the animated yet quiet discussion.
Aramis himself let out a quiet sigh, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment as he felt the pain draught begin to take affect and the sharp throbbing of his wound dull to a much more manageable ache.
That relief was unfortunately short lived when he realized he needed to leave another sign for his brothers to let them know they were on the right track. So far he had only been able to leave one sign since they left the camp and he knew that the longer he left it the higher the chance of his brothers not finding them became.
He was mentally debating what he could do when a pained whimper from D'Artagnan caught his attention. From where he was walking it seemed like the younger man was still sleeping and was simply stuck in the terror of a nightmare.
It killed Aramis not to be able to comfort his brother but he knew he was already on shaky ground with Quentin as it was and so he doubted his request would be granted and even if it was there was every chance that the man would use it as reason to deny the Gascon aid later on should Aramis's medical skills become needed.
Another terrified whimper reached Aramis's ears and he knew he had to do something. Gritting his teeth in preparations for what he was about to do Aramis took a deep breath. The plan he had in mind could very easily go wrong and end badly for him, but, should they respond like he hoped there was every chance he could leave a message for his brothers and get to D'Artagnan without having to beg again.
Taking a moment to brace himself for the pain Aramis then made himself stumble, falling hard on the ground and bringing the procession to a halt.
Without wasting a second the medic made quick work of the symbol for his brothers while masking it with a groan of pain, making it look, to anyone else's eyes, that he was simply trying to get up.
"Now what!?" spat Quentin as he and Remy stormed over to the musketeer.
Shifting slightly to cover his work Aramis mustered a weak glare up at the bandit leader, his shoulder throbbing a lot more then he had anticipated.
"He's been unsteady for the last hour," stated Remy though by the tone of his voice this wasn't the first time he was telling his boss this. Aramis did his best to hide his surprise at the revelation that the bandit had stood up for him in a way and had tried to help him. Something was still nagging at his brain, warning him not to trust him completely, but for now he was too overwhelmed by the pain of his shoulder to really focus on much else.
"We should put him in the wagon," continued Remy tiredly, "Its only a matter of time before he falls again and unless you want him dragged behind the wagon we're going to be forced to stop again."
Quentin considered his subordinate's words for a minute before nodding his agreement and turning back around.
"Get him in the wagon but keep his hands tied," ordered Remy before he too turned and moved away.
The second he was in the wagon and they were moving again Aramis was crawling over to D'Artagnan's side, lifting his head gently and placing it in his lap, knowing that physical contact helped him greatly after Savoy.
"You're okay D'Art," whispered the medic soothingly as his hands ran through the Gascon's hair. "Whatever you're seeing, it's not real. You're okay I promise. It's not real."
Nightmare
"... I promise. It's not real."
The voice was soothing and helped clear the fog around his mind but D'Artagnan couldn't stall long enough to really take in what was being said to him.
Instead all he could focus on was the deep red blood pooling underneath his fingers and the tears streaming down his face.
"Pépé," pleaded the boy, feeling a lot younger as he watched his beloved grandfather-figure get paler and paler despite the Gascon's every effort to save him.
"W-Where were you?" wheezed the man, accusation and anger giving his words bite despite the weakness of his fading body.
D'Artagnan could only look at the man with a stunned expression as he repeated the question.
"I trained you," growled the elder man with strength unexpected given his condition. "I helped raise you. You wouldn't be a musketeer without my help and yet you let this happen!"
D'Artagnan felt himself pale under the accusation, tears falling faster and blurring his view on the dying man.
"Whatever you're seeing, it's not real. Come back D'Artagnan."
The sound of his name pierced through the self-deprecating thoughts and D'Artagnan found himself wiping his eyes on the inside of his arm before looking around.
"A-Aramis?" he called, wincing at the hoarseness of his own voice.
"This is your doing" spat Mathis before erupting in a loud coughing fit. "They're blood will be on your hands too before the end."
"Come back D'Artagnan."
With a chocked gasp D'Artagnan's eyes shot open and it took him a few seconds to realize he was laying with his head in his brother's lap, the medic watching him with worry-filled eyes as he continued to run his hands softly through the Gascon's hair.
"Welcome back," smiled Aramis softly, knowing from the tenseness of his brother's frame that whatever horrors his subconscious had created were still weighing heavily on his mind.
This proved to be true only moments later when fresh tears sprung from the younger man's eyes and he moved to press his head into the medic's stomach, instinctively and unashamedly seeking comfort from the older man.
"Shh D'Art," soothed Aramis as he took the boy's least injured hand in his own, drawing small circles on his palm with his thumb.
"It wasn't real, you're okay… You're okay."