Evening My Lovelies
OMG OVER 1000 REVIEWS! *Happy Dances & Throws Confetti*
Honestly surprised as how quickly I was able to get this chapter done today, kinda got on a bit of a role and got all 2000 or so words of it done in an hour!
Notes On Reviews:
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Yep, Athos is not pleased. I haven't got him drinking though, I have a feeling Athos is too worried to be drinking at the moment... maybe tomorrow. Oooh it so tempting to have something bad happen but nah our pup is safe. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - Our boys definitely aren't pleased with both the situation and Treville. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - They're kinda moving passed fear and going to anger today. Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I couldn't resist a bit of papa-Treville so I'm really glad you enjoyed seeing that side of him. D'Art's aware of his brothers suspicions. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter74) D'Arts protective side was a lot of fun to explore so I'm glad you liked seeing that side of him :) (chapter75) Our boys aren't going to be patient that's for sure. We'll be seeing Corinne again (as will Corbett :) ) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Don't worry Athos will indeed be following :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha for me they're the same thing :D And your advice to our pup is good as he'll be suffering some more whumpage in the next story :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yeah Athos and the others aren't going to sit and wait for too long, though you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see if they find him. Glad you liked the Treville hug... Couldn't resist :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Well he wouldn't be our pup if he wasn't stubborn. Our boys will definitely be following after him, don't worry :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Haha :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yep D'Art's plan is now in action :D Unfortunately they couldn't convince him, mainly because I need D'Art to leave for the ending I have planned :D We'll be seeing a bit more of Corinne and Corbett in tomorrows chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yay i know I seriously can't believe this story has reached over 1000 reviews! I hated making D'Art leave but I have a plan for him and it required him being gone so hopefully that'll make up for his departure. Maria's rant was fun to write, especially as she's usually fairly quiet and calm, it was fun to explore the more angry side of her. I kinda wanted to hug D'art when i wrote his response but I figured Treville could hug him for me :D It was tempting to have D'Artagnan make Corbett squirm a bit but I love the two of them so I couldn't do that to them. Our boys wont be staying put at the garrison for too long before they try and follow their pup. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Cookies, cakes and other yummy goodies for everyone for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Seventy-Six: A Garrison Without A Gascon
The day after D'Artagnan had left the garrison was an odd one for the inseparables, who, had gotten so used to seeing the boy on a daily basis that they frequently found themselves turning to include him in their conversation only to then find he was not there.
Aramis wasn't handling the departure overly well as his concern for the boy's arm and subsequent mental state had only grown with every instance that the Gascon had denied his offer to examine it.
Despite the vague reasons the younger musketeer had given at the time Aramis had always suspected there was more going on then what they were aware of, a suspicion that only grew when Doctor Reynard continued to refuse to answer his questions on the matter.
The medic's worry had his typically cheerful nature replaced with a slightly more irritable one and that, coupled with the pain of his healing wounds had prompted the man to snap at nearly ever person who had come to talk to him, at least until Porthos slapped the back of his head and told him he was acting liking a child.
In contrast to the medic Porthos appeared calm and content with the situation, even though the reality couldn't be further from the truth. Porthos hadn't missed the way Athos had been watching their pup the few days before his departure and as such the larger man was sure all of his brothers suspected there was something more going on then what D'Artagnan had opened up to them about.
He had seen it, more than once, the desire to open up… it had been but a fleeting look on the young Gascon's face but it had been there and it was killing the man that his baby brother felt he had to keep whatever was going on bottled up inside and that he couldn't open up and talk to them.
The morning after D'Artagnan had left Porthos had actually sought out Alain, knowing from their previous adventure that the Gascon often confided in him things he wasn't truly comfortable admitting to them.
Unfortunately the other musketeer had no other information for him, though he did mention seeing D'Artagnan attempt to hold and swing his sword a few days prior, only for the blade to slip out of the Gascon's grip. At first Porthos thought nothing of that piece of information as Aramis had stated at several points since the boy had sustained the injury that it would be a long road to recovery for him and that it could be months before he had the strength to hold his blade again. It was Alain mentioning the anger and sadness that had appeared on D'Artagnan's face after the incident that had him storing the information away to mention to his brothers at a later date.
Like his brothers Athos carried a lot of worry about his young protégé. The distance the boy had been trying to place between them over the last few days as well as the clear pain in his eyes when he had come to say goodbye to them had sent his suspicions to all new heights. He had intended to confront the boy but he had left before Athos had had the chance.
Athos had decided to keep his suspicions to himself until he could get the chance to speak to Treville one-on-one. The only time he had seen his younger brother relaxed at all since the whole ordeal with Marshall was when he had come back from speaking to the Captain. It hurt, to think that the boy had decided to confide in Treville instead of himself or either of their other brothers but there was another part of him that understood.
For now though Athos decided to trust in D'Artagnan's word that he would be back. His instincts and protective nature were screaming at him to act rather than wait but he wanted the Gascon to feel as though he could trust them, so, against his better judgment he decided to wait.
In the days that followed the Gascon's departure however that decision became much harder to stand by, especially when they reached a week without news.
Aramis's snappish temperament had vanished as a worried one took its place, causing the man, who had been granted leave of the infirmary the day before, to spend a great deal of his time shooting in an effort to silence the concerns rattling about his head.
Porthos's calm mask had cracked several days into the Gascon's departure and he had opened up to them about what he suspected was going on. This omission led to Aramis opening up about his own, which in turn caused them both to look at Athos to see his thoughts on the matter.
The swordsman still wanted to keep his suspicions to himself until he had spoken to Treville but he was reminded of the last time he had kept suspicions from his brothers and so instead decided to voice them, though he stated, when Aramis went to leave, that they would do nothing until he had spoken to Treville.
Unfortunately for the three inseparables Treville had been called to the palace several days ago under urgent orders from the King and no one had seen him return to the garrison since.
Whether their Captain was dealing with fallout from their actions with Marshall and Quentin or if it was because of the death of the Cardinal no one was sure but whatever the King's motives were they had kept the musketeer Captain busy enough that he had taken to sleeping at the palace most nights in an effort to get more than an hour or two rest.
This meant that it wasn't until a week and a half after D'Artagnan's departure that Athos finally had his chance to confront his Captain.
The still bruised and injured musketeer had seen the Captain return that morning and had stated his intentions to speak to him regarding their missing Gascon.
Both Porthos and Aramis had stated their desire to come as well and despite initially denying their request the swordsman eventually allowed them to come when they, not so politely reminded him that the Gascon was their brother too.
"Captain?" called Athos as he entered Treville's office, followed nearly instantly by his brothers. All three men were surprised to see how tired and haggard their Captain looked and a flicker of guilt grew inside them as they realized their arrival was preventing the man from getting the rest he clearly needed.
Treville blinked; surprised to see both Athos and Aramis out of bed, though his lips did curl upwards at the sight of them on their feet. "Athos," he said nodding before nodding in greeting to both Porthos and Aramis as well, gesturing for them to enter fully.
"What can I do for you?" he asked, though he had a feeling he knew what it was regarding and to be honest he was thoroughly surprised and impressed they had lasted as long as they had to come to him regarding it.
"It's about D'Artagnan," said Athos, his eyes watching the Captain intently for any signs that he was hiding something from them.
Noticing this Treville couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in silent challenge before returning to address the rest of the group. "What about him?"
"Its been almost two weeks without word," said Porthos, the worry he was feeling clear as a bell in his voice. "We're concerned."
"He's sent word," stated Treville as he searched though the bag he had placed on his desk earlier before pulling out a worn piece of parchment.
"He… sent word?"
Treville nodded and felt a spark of anger at the Gascon's refusal to contact his brothers when he saw the hurt and jealousy in their eyes as they stared at the piece of paper in his hand.
"What does it say?" demanded Aramis before an apologetic look graced his face as he realized who he was speaking to.
"It's a few days old," said Treville as he passed the document over. "He was simply stating that Maria and Corinne have gotten settled in their new home. He also asked me to have men check in on them should I have any patrols or missions in the area."
"That's good right?" said Aramis as he passed the letter over to Athos, "If they're settled then it means he should be home any day now right?"
At this Treville hesitated, he did not want to lie to his men but he also knew that D'Artagnan wouldn't have chosen to do it like he had if it wasn't important to him.
Athos instantly noticed the hesitation and was on the edge of his chair in a second.
"Captain?"
Looking into his lieutenant's eyes Treville knew he had to explain, it would be kinder than trying to lie and come up with excuses and D'Artagnan himself had said that he didn't want the Captain lying for him, especially not to his brothers.
"D'Artagnan… received some news from Reynard when we returned from the whole Marshall incident," explained Treville, knowing he would need to start from the beginning. Looking at Aramis he added, "It was the reason why he had been so obstinate in his refusal to examine his arm."
"No," breathed Aramis, having caught on to what the Captain was hinting at, it being what they had all feared and suspected.
Treville nodded grimly, "Reynard told him there was little if any chance his arm would ever heal to the standard that would allow him to return to active duty as a musketeer."
He could see his men had questions and took advantage of their momentary surprise to continue his explanation.
"D'Artagnan came to speak to me several days before he left with Maria and Corinne, where he explained to me what was going on with his arm and told me his plan regarding it."
Athos's eyes narrowed at this, despite the small flash of pride that warmed him as he realized that his protégé had apparently learned to think things through for once rather than just acting recklessly out of instinct.
"A plan?"
Treville nodded and explained to them what D'Artagnan had told him, his eyes on Athos the entire time as he waited for the man's clearly building anger to reach its peak.
"After all that you just let him leave!" snarled Athos as he all but jumped to his feet, his chair almost falling over in the process.
Having expected the man's anger Treville simply kept his expression neutral. "It was his decision Athos and after everything the boy had been through of late I wasn't about to stop him from doing what he felt he had to… Not when that was the only thing giving him hope!"
Athos faltered slightly there and Treville took full advantage of it.
"He wouldn't let Aramis check his arm out of fear of hearing the same prognosis and losing what little hope he was desperately clinging onto. The hope that his plan could work was the only thing keeping him from breaking down and retreating so far into himself that it would be an even greater challenge to get him back."
"But he would be here!" roared Athos, a well of self-hatred building within him as he cursed not acting on his suspicions when the boy had been in the garrison. "Now he's out there alone and injured!"
Treville's eyes flashed with anger at the tone Athos was taking with him but he forced it back.
"So go after him," said the Captain, his calm words silencing all three men and bringing their complete attention to him.
"What?" asked Porthos, hope in his voice that he hadn't misheard his Captain.
"D'Artagnan is well aware of how you three think and act. He mentions where Maria and Corinne are staying in his letter. If you think you can convince him to abandon his plan or at least enact it here in the garrison then I implore you to go after him… I like this just as much as you do Athos."
Athos was silent for a few moments and the tension in the room reached all new heights as Porthos and Aramis waiting their brother's decision.
"Get your things," he growled as he struggled to reign in his temper. "We leave within the hour."