Evening My Lovelies

Sorry but this another short one. I was falling asleep writing this so I figured it was best to end it while it still made some sort of sense.

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - Don't worry they wont be waiting too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Haha don't worry Louis wont be keeping them too long, I think he's only popped up again because I quite like writing him, although he does have a good moment in today's chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Haha I know, such a pity :) I have a feeling Louis was just missing Treville lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it. Oh I do so love scaring you all :D Hmm If it helps Louis does have a good moment that might help redeem him a little bit. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you thought so, I was tempted to drag it out a bit but he needed to die. I loved D'Art trying to help. Technically he doesn't have to see them right away, he's just being his usual annoying self. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pheonixriv: Thanks for the review - Yeah Blaise is very protective over Alain. We're getting a brief Remy/Louis today so we have that to look forward to. Yeah don't blame you, the weather's been crappy lately and I can only imagine how annoying a daily commute to London is. Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha Personally i think Louis might have just missed Treville lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - I did figure it was probably you, because as you said you're lovely enough to review every chapter :D Glad you're happy Marshall's gone. Not much drama in this one but I do have some planned for our lovely pup coming soon :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Nah you're not evil, I was tempted to drag it out but he needed to die. Don't worry Louis wont keep them too long and he does have a good moment. Enjoy the new chapter! x

WolfOfHiddenMoons: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm so happy you love my OC's I have so much fun writing them so it always makes my day to know people enjoy reading them. Louis wont be keeping them too long as Anne will be there to reign him in a bit. Alain is a year or two older than D'Artagnan but is still younger than the rest of the regiment. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - This is for a previous chapter but I'll respond here anyway. I do enjoy bringing in a bit of suspense in right at the end of a chapter and yeah our boys definitely aren't enjoying the state of the roads. Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Haha :D Well Louis is having one small redeeming moment today so you have that to enjoy :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Don't worry about feeling bad, I was tempted to have his death dragged out a bit but decided against it, he needed to die :) Louis's fun to write though I feel he's appearing again as he's missing Treville lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yep, Marshall definitely got what was coming to him after targeting our boys so much :D I really wanted Blaise and Alain to have a similar relationship to Athos and D'Art so I'm really happy it came across that way :D Blaise was down right furious, no one messes with his brother :D Yay I'm really glad you're loving the OC's, they're a whole load of fun to write and cute to picture so I'm relieved you enjoy reading them. Haha love how everyone's already annoyed with Louis :D although he does have a small redeeming moment in todays chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love You All!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Sixty-Three: Royal Summons

Treville pushed down his anger as he and his men pulled into the palace grounds.

The injured men had garnered more than a few inquisitive looks from the general populace and the Captain hated the fact that instead of getting the treatment and rest they needed, his men were being like they were in some kind of exhibit.

"Any idea as to why the King wants all of us Captain?" asked Athos as the injured members of the group were being helped out of their wagons, each of them doing what they could to stop the grimaces and hisses of pain from showing just how much pain they were feeling.

"I am assuming he wants to know why we've been gone so long," shrugged Treville. "Hopefully he wont keep us too long, let's get going."

Thankfully for the men it seemed like Treville's words were true as King Louis entered the main throne room a mere ten minutes after the musketeers themselves arrived, followed by Queen Anne, who's eyes widened in concern over the amount of injured men before them.

"Finally," exclaimed Louis as he all but collapsed into his throne. His own eyes widened momentarily at the amount of men before him and the injuries they seemed to be sporting before his attention once again returned to Treville.

"Where have you and your men been Treville, it does not send a good image to visiting noble delegates when the monarch's own regiment is depleted more than half!"

Several of the injured men looked ready to pounce on the King for his words, especially after all the pain they had gotten through but they were able to keep their composure as Treville explain best he could what had occurred.

"And your men?" asked Anne worriedly at the end of the explanation, her worried eyes fixing onto one musketeer in particular for a moment or two longer than the rest. "Are they well?"

Treville smiled gently at the sincere worry in his Queen's voice. "Some are in need of seeing the physician but the rest will be fine after a long rest, thank you Your Majesty."

"What of Quentin and this Marshall character?" demanded Louis as he lounged in his throne.

"Quentin was killed during our rescue mission when he was trying to kill several of my men, most of which were already injured and Marshall was in custody for most of the journey back to Paris, unfortunately he was able to escape his restraints and held one of my men hostage… We had no choice but to kill him then as well."

"Great now maybe we can get to why I asked you here," huffed Louis and it took everything in the musketeer Captain not to sigh or roll his eyes.

"That would be appreciated Your Majesty," nodded Treville, hoping that whatever the issue was that it was something he could help with fairly quickly. "As I said, some of my men are in need of medical attention."

Ignoring the latter half of Treville's words, Louis straightened in his seat. "I want to know why it is only just coming to my attention that you have a man locked in your holding cell? If he has indeed committed a crime then he should be in the bastille or something while he awaits a trial not being held in a musketeer holding cell."

Treville grimaced, especially when he saw D'Artagnan wince in the corner of his eyes though he couldn't help the stab of irritation that shot through him. This was why the King had denied his men the care they needed, why they were being summoned to the palace before even stepping a foot into the city.

He knew they were going to have to deal with Antoine sooner rather than later but Treville had been attempting to find a way that would not hurt his young soldier, especially given the rather shaky mindset the boy had been in lately.

"It is a private family matter Your Majesty," explained Treville. "I wanted to wait until D'Artagnan was well enough to sit through a trial and see justice done before bringing it to your attention."

Louis blinked before turning his focus onto his newest musketeer. "Family?"

D'Artagnan nodded sharply, feeling the tears of betrayal stinging his eyes. "My uncle Your Majesty. He orchestrated the attack on my village which saw many dead and the rest Captured by Quentin and his men."

Both royals looked shocked to hear the man was D'Artagnan's uncle as well as the part the man had played in the destruction of Lupiac, an act that was beginning to reach as far as the city.

In a rare display of maturity and sympathy Louis rose from his chair, his eyes never leaving the younger musketeer. "I will send my guards around to collect him within the hour and you have my word that I will see justice done for the crimes he was committed against you and your village and I will see to it that help is offered to any survivor of the attack that needs help relocating."

Blinking back tears at the promise he could hear in King Louis words D'Artagnan quickly let his head fall to his chest as he attempted a bow. "You have my most sincere thanks Your Majesty," he said quietly, emotion heavy and thick in his voice.

"Who is that in your group Treville?" asked Louis, his eyes fixing onto a now nervous Remy, who looked to be trying to subtly hide behind Aramis to avoid the King's attention. "He's no musketeer."

The bandit knew that all it would take was one word from any of the men he was currently surrounded by and his life would be over. He would be dragged away in irons before he could ever plead his case, which was why he was so surprised not only by who spoke up but also the words he used.

"A survivor My Lord, from Lupiac," explained D'Artagnan, his voice gaining strength despite his body quickly fading. The Gascon focused all his attention on the King, doing his best to ignore the shocked looks he was receiving from those who already knew or had figured out who Remy truly was.

"I wasn't sure if my word and a pocket watch would be enough to ensure Antoine D'Artagnan pays for his crimes and Remy was kind enough to volunteer to speak up so that those who suffered because of my uncle could receive the justice they deserve."

Louis's eyes softened slightly as he returned his gaze to the only non-musketeer in the group. "You have our apologies for your loss," he offered, not noticing the still stunned expression on Remy's face.

"T-T-Thank you Your Majesty," stammered Remy, too focused on D'Artagnan's surprise defense of him to really take in anything else.

"Husband dearest," said Anne, her voice soft as it cut through the conversation Louis was having with an increasingly irate Treville.

The King was talking about things that his men didn't need to there for and he could already see the pain it was causing many of them to even stay standing, in fact several members, including D'Artagnan and Favier, were subtly being held upright by other, non-injured members of the group.

When Louis's attention switched to Anne's at the sound of her voice she smiled softly at him before continuing. "Perhaps this is a conversation for another time? Captain Treville's men should really be seeing a physician."

Louis blinked, apparently having forgotten this fact and quickly nodded, "Yes of course, we can continue this another time Treville, you and your men are dismissed."

After a few goodbyes and bows to the royal couple the group is once again on their way back to the regiment, each of them slightly annoyed that they were summoned to the palace for something that could have easily have waited until either later or the following day.

The rest of the regiment met the group, quite enthusiastically, as soon as they pulled up at the gates of the garrison, though Treville was quick to order them to clear the way so they could get the wagons as close to the infirmary as possible.

Those who were not injured and in need of treatment branched off from the group to rejoin their brothers and instantly began explaining what had happened and who was injured and how.

"Doctor Pascal!" exclaimed Treville as he kicked open the infirmary door before entering with an irritable Athos pressed against his side as he helped the stubborn man walk.

Within seconds an exhausted looking physician entered the main room, his eyes widening at the men standing before him.

"Get them on the beds," instructed the doctor quickly as he began rapidly checking over each of the men, trying to find out who was the one needing help the most.

"I've sent one of my men to find Doctor Reynard," explained Treville. "Hopefully you wont be working alone for much longer though we will help with whatever we can."

Pascal smiled gratefully, glad help was coming as he moved onto the next person, mentally cataloging their injuries.

"If your men can get me a couple of buckets of water, one hot one cold I would appreciate it."

Treville nodded before leaving to order his men to do just that. With at least seven men in the infirmary the Captain knew it was going to be a long night for all of them.