Hi. Longer chapter today, mainly about Fortier and his reasons with hopefully some humour mixed in.

Warning: There are descriptions of racial prejudice and slavery. This is not meant to offend and is merely my interpretation of how things may have been at the time.

Hope you enjoy the chapter. :)

Chapter Twelve

'Would you like to hear it?' Fortier asked the musketeers. The musketeers all exchanged looks before slowly nodding in agreement.

Fortier smiled and took a sip of his brandy. He didn't know why but he felt a strong bond with these men and wanted them to know the truth. 'Well I suppose it all starts with the fact that I was the second born son. Unlike my brother Henri, who was to take the title and inherit the lands, I didn't have much expected of me. Thus, I was allowed far more freedom than him. All the focus was on him to be worthy of inheriting the lands when my father died, while I was rather left to my own devices.'

Athos watched the Comte before him and could hear the many parallels between him and Thomas. He had always been expected to take the title of Comte de la Fère and had to learn the etiquette and politics involved, while Thomas had a far freer leash allowing him to do things were deemed unfit for Athos.

Athos stirred form his thoughts as Fortier continued to speak, 'That is not to say I was uneducated, far from it. It just meant that if I missed my lessons that it wasn't quite as important.'

The musketeers were listening intently while sipping their brandy, while Athos continued to see the similarity between Fortier's and his own upbringing.

'While my brother developed an importance, that included the title he would take, I spent many afternoons playing with the children of the village. I saw no difference between us, only I lived in a larger house that housed more people.' The Comte took a sip of his brandy before continuing, 'Of course as time went on I and they realised that we were from different places but we believed that it didn't stop us from being friends. Unbeknown to me, Henri had followed me one day and then told my father what had happened. He made it clear that he believed these people to be beneath him, but I knew that wasn't true. My father was outraged and confined me to the house.'

Fortier smirked as he remembered, 'That of course didn't stop me and I snuck out anyway,' he said with a laugh.

'You sound like right trouble,' Porthos chuckled.

'Indeed, indeed. But I suppose the day that truly made me realise that no-one is born better than anyone was when I was out on the road. Admittedly I shouldn't have been there. A coach had stopped, which obviously belonged to a rich man, and he had a slave with him.' Fortier looked towards Porthos as the large musketeer bristled and Aramis placed a soothing hand on his friend's forearm.

'You must understand, that at this point I didn't know anything different. This was how things were,' Fortier hurriedly tried to explain, while Porthos just nodded in agreement and sipped his brandy.

'I had gotten close to the horses that pulled the carriage,' Fortier continued, 'and one of the horses startled and would have kicked me had the slave not pulled me back at the last second. I must admit, I do not know the man's name. But what I witnessed next will stay with me forever.' Fortier looked around the musketeers and knew this was a difficult part of this story but he had to tell it as it was. He knew from his previous reaction that Porthos would take it badly but Fortier also knew that Porthos would not blame him as the man clearly bristled at the thought of slavery but had clearly not meant any harm to Fortier himself.

'The slave was beaten by his master for daring to touch a noble boy,' Fortier heard gasps from the musketeers and a very low growl from Porthos. Aramis squeezed Porthos forearm in reassurance.

'Unfortunately, my father chose that moment to appear and agreed with the slave's master that he should be punished for touching me. I was only about ten years old and I couldn't understand why this man was being punished for saving me. I shouted, 'He saved me' over and over again but no-one would listen. I realised that day that your birth right doesn't make you a better person than anyone else. The man had saved my life and didn't deserve to be treated the way he was. I did manage to thank him before my father dragged me away but father made it clear I was never to find myself in the company of slaves again. But to me that man was greater than his master and I resolved I would judge people by who they are, not by the colour of their skin or the circumstances of their birth.' Fortier looked directly at Porthos and could see the hurt and pain in the man's eyes, as well as the understanding.

Porthos nodded towards Fortier and then spoke, 'You're a better man than many. I apologise if my reaction has offended you. My mother was a slave and I still receive many slights due to the colour of my skin.'

'You have no need to apologise. I understand your reaction completely but it is that incident that has changed me for the better.' Porthos nodded at the Comte's words before finishing his brandy. Fortier picked up the decanter and poured generous measures for everyone as the musketeers uttered their thanks.

'So what happened to you brother?' D'Artagnan asked wanting to change the nature of the conversation.

'Ah yes. He was killed, rather foolishly, in a duel with another nobleman's son. Resulting in me becoming the Comte. You know, I had wished to travel the country and would have been allowed to if it were not for my brother's death. I suppose that's why I allow my son's their freedom.' Fortier looked around to see the enquiring glances.

'My wife Alize,' he indicated the portrait that hung behind him. 'Beautiful wasn't she?'

'Yes, definitely,' agreed Aramis.

'It was arranged of course. I only met her on our wedding day,' Fortier paused as he saw the look of disgust on D'Artagnan's face. 'Unfortunately it is a custom among noble families,' Fortier explained looking directly at D'Artagnan who looked away sheepishly. 'My father had told me that I must consummate our marriage that night but I couldn't do that. Alize was shaking like a leaf and she later told me of the horror stories that had befallen her friends on their wedding nights.'

At this Fortier noticed Aramis' expression darken while the other musketeers shifted awkwardly, understanding what would have happened to these women. 'Fortunately we came to truly realise that we did indeed like each other and in the end we grew to love each other. Three sons and two daughters,' he beamed.

'My eldest son is running around France taking in all he can, while making sure he is in constant contact should we need him here. My middle son is touring Italy and says it is because of the beautiful architecture,' Fortier smiled as Aramis snorted in to his brandy, drawing smirks from his brothers. 'Yes, Aramis I tend to agree with you, I'm sure he has other entertainment.'

'Well I hear that Italian women are very beautiful…..and very passionate,' Aramis added with a twinkle in his eye.

'Are you speaking from experience Aramis?' Fortier countered.

Porthos booming laughter filled the room as Aramis, for once, looked rather sheepish. 'What was her name Aramis? Madame….'

'Madame Errani,' Aramis confirmed now blushing.

'That was it!' Porthos howled.

Aramis looked around the table to see Fortier and D'Artagnan looking at him curiously while Athos sported a small quirk of his mouth while sipping his brandy with his eyes fixed on his brother.

'Ok. I will admit that even I found her a bit too passionate for my liking,' Aramis sighed. Porthos was roaring with laughter as Aramis sipped his brandy.

'She was all over you like a rash. Took quite a fancy to you,' Porthos grinned.

'A rather hot, prickly rash if truth be told,' Aramis squirmed.

'I don't think I've ever seen you so uncomfortable in a woman's company brother,' Athos remarked dryly. D'Artagnan was grinning widely and Fortier was smiling.

'Can we change the subject please,' Aramis asked in desperation.

'Forgive me Aramis. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable,' Fortier apologised with sincerity.

Aramis looked at Fortier and then his brothers and said, 'It's not you, it's them! And to think I call you brothers,' he huffed at his fellow musketeers. Porthos raised his hands in surrender while still grinning and D'Artagnan did the same. Athos merely glanced at his brother and back to Fortier.

'What of you third son? Athos enquired.

'Oh he is in England. Tells me that it rains a lot but he has wonderful things to say about the countryside,' Fortier beamed. 'My eldest daughter married the son of the Duke of Mayenne. Of course, it wasn't meant to happen but she captured his heart and he said he would refuse the title if he wasn't allowed to marry her. Being the only son, the duke had no choice but to agree. My younger daughter just married the son of the local butcher,' Fortier chuckled. 'They love each other, that much is obvious. Who was I to get in the way?' There was small pause as everyone drank some brandy.

'Now,' Fortier rubbed his hands together, 'you have listened to me for too long. Would you mind telling me of some of your adventures please? I would love to hear of your heroic exploits,' he finished smiling enquiringly.

'Actually not much happens to us,' responded Athos. 'Most of it is guard duty.'

'Yeah, can't beat standing around watching the high society of France havin' fun,' Porthos said sarcastically.

'Oh come now. There must a mission that you take pride in,' Fortier pushed.

'I suppose our finest hour, well couple of days, was protecting the queen from an assassin,' Aramis mused and the others nodded in agreement. 'And subsequently exposing the true hirer of the assassin.'

'An assassin going after Her Majesty? You must be the best to be protecting the queen. Of course your display earlier today already told me as much,' Fortier said with sincerity. 'Who would do such a terrible thing?'

'Aramis and I found shelter at a convent so we could make a stand. Those two, 'indicating Porthos and D'Artagnan, 'rode back to Paris for reinforcements. Thankfully, we prevailed but I will admit that it was a close call.' Aramis was nodding in agreement as look passed between the men acknowledging that no more needed to be said.

'Well protecting the queen is certainly a great honour and seems it you we have to thank for Her Majesty's safety,' Fortier declared.

'We did rather enjoy exposing the man that hired the assassin,' commented D'Artagnan.

'Yeah, lot of actin',' smiled Porthos.

'For reasons we won't go into, we staged Athos' murder by D'Artagnan,' Aramis explained.

'Rather well I might add,' beamed the Gascon.

'The funeral was upsettin' though,' Porthos said sincerity.

'Yes, you even shed a tear,' Aramis nudged Porthos with his elbow. 'Although, I'm pretty sure the captain may have wanted to kill us both by the end of it!' Porthos laugh filled the room.

'I am glad that the idea of my demise is so amusing to you,' Athos said sarcastically.

Fortier couldn't help but smile at the casual banter between the men who clearly cared a lot about each other.

'Generally, the rest is travelling and getting into scrapes with bandits and the like,' said D'Artagnan returning the conversation to its original context. 'For example our trip here.'

'Keeps us on our toes,' chuckled Porthos.

'We do manage to have some lighter moments though,' Aramis stated mysteriously looking between Athos and Porthos. 'I don't think we told you of this particular prank,' he smiled at D'Artagnan. Athos tipped his head back onto the chair and groaned quietly.

'C'mon Athos. It was a great prank,' Porthos beamed. D'Artagnan leaned forward eagerly but Athos ignored him.

'Come now Athos. You can't not tell us,' Fortier grinned and sipped his brandy.

'Fine I'll start,' Aramis declared. 'We were out on a hunt with the king and some nobles. We were stationed with the Comte de… what was his name?' Aramis looked around but Porthos shrugged and Athos creased his brow trying to remember. 'Anyway his name is not important. He had taken rather a disliking to Porthos.'

'Yes, he was uttering slights every moment that he could,' confirmed Athos.

Porthos shrugged, 'You know I'm used to it but it was really gettin' on their nerves,' Porthos nodded his head towards his brothers.

'The man was abominable Porthos,' Aramis said passionately.

'Anyway back to the story,' Athos interrupted what would be a long rant from Aramis otherwise. Athos was aware that D'Artagnan was eagerly watching him as was Fortier. 'I decided to teach the man a lesson.' Suddenly there was a mischievous twinkle in Athos' eyes.

'He had mentioned that he wasn't fond of, as he described them, creepy crawlies,' Athos mouth twitched in an upward curve. 'I wasn't happy with his treatment of Porthos so I captured a rather large spider that was near the campsite in one of the spare jars Aramis carries around.'

'I carry spare jars to collect herbs and such. If I can pick them myself I can be sure they are good quality. Only the best for my brothers will do,' Aramis chimed.

'Well I'd captured the spider and we put a few holes in the jar lid to keep it alive,' Athos continued. 'I placed the jar in his bed roll and he found it not long after. I hadn't meant to be present but I was there when he found the jar. As expected he was terrified.' At this both Aramis' and Porthos' faces formed large knowing grins as D'Artagnan watched their reaction and could feel Athos shifting slightly next to him.

'What I didn't expect was for him to be so terrified that he dropped the jar so that jar smashed and the spider could escape. The spider ran up his leg and eventually settled on the frozen man's shoulder.' Porthos and Aramis were now roaring with laughter as D'Artagnan laughed and Fortier chuckled.

'I then managed to flick the spider away but, let's say, he wasn't amused. Captain Treville corned us the next day. He couldn't prove it was us-,'

'But that didn't stop the bollocking he gave us anyway,' summed up Porthos.

Fortier looked confused for a moment, 'Surely it was only Athos who should have been reprimanded?'

Athos, Aramis and Porthos all exchanged looks before raising their glasses, 'All for one,' they said in unison and drank their remaining brandy.

'Of course Captain Treville didn't punish us for the rotting fish we left in Cardinal Richelieu's study,' D'Artagnan remembered.

'The cardinal had so many enemies it could have been anyone,' Aramis said casually.

'True but he definitely suspected us,' Porthos said with amusement in his voice.

'To be honest, I think he found it rather funny,' Athos said with his usual tone and silence fell between the men.

'Well gentlemen, I must say, I'm glad I haven't been on your bad list!' Fortier boomed with a laugh. The musketeers nodded in response. 'I suppose it is time for bed.'

Fortier and the musketeers rose from their seats and made their way to get some rest.

Back in Paris Queen Anne was struggling to sleep her mind unable to switch off with the events of the coming day. Most of all she knew she would miss the presence of her musketeers. She knew that they were still the King's Musketeers but the four of them held a special place in heart, especially Aramis. Whenever there had been trouble he had been there to save her. Always there to save her. She closed her eyes again and eventually drifted off into a restless sleep. She didn't know why but she was truly worried about this trip.