Hi. Ok this chapter is slightly all over the place as I'm trying to get everyone in the right place. It is a bit shorter because of that. I hope it still makes sense.

Just a reminder that all mistakes are mine and I don't own anything! :)

Chapter Thirteen

Rochefort was happier than he had ever been. Anne was in his arms and he could finally enjoy his time with her. They were free. She looked at him with affection radiating through her eyes, love in her eyes. He held her close to him feeling the warmth of her body beside him and sighed contentedly.

Knock, knock. Someone was knocking on the door. They would go away he was sure. Knock, knock. Rochefort opened his eyes to find himself alone in his bed and someone continuing to rap at the door. He sighed. Another dream.

'What?' he shouted as the knocking finally ceased. He opened the door to see a servant standing before him, staring at the ground.

'What boy?' Rochefort asked.

'Forgive me sir, but you asked me to rouse you as the sun rose this morning,' the boy said shifting his eyes between Rochefort and the floor. Rochefort suddenly remembered the reason for his early morning wakeup call and smiled. Today was a very important day.

'Of course. Forgive me, I have never been a morning person. Would you bring me some breakfast?'

'Of course sir,' the boy bowed and left.

Rochefort started to dress as he mused over his plan for the day. Once Renard was on board with his plan he would then be able to convince Louis that the musketeers were no longer fit for purpose. Treville was set to accompany Her Majesty and his disgrace would be complete and he would not be there to argue the Musketeers' case. Even better, the four most annoying musketeers would not be here to thwart him. Once he had rescued Anne from his planned kidnapping she would surely be grateful towards him. She would no longer trust the musketeers and her faith would be solely with him. Only him.

Treville woke early after a restless night eager to have his men ready for Her Majesty. If truth be told, he was rather annoyed at Louis for shirking his duty and making the queen go instead. He ate breakfast quickly before making sure his men were ready to go to the palace. Treville had decided that Leclerc would not accompany them as he was a newly commissioned musketeer and Treville had decided that with his own inclusion, six men were enough. Soon the six musketeers exited the garrison to go and await Her Majesty for the trip to Dreux.

Renard found himself outside Rochefort's study and quietly knocked. The door opened and Rochefort motioned for Renard to enter.

'Are you ready for today?' Rochefort enquired.

'Yes. But I will be the judge of whether this plan has merit,' Renard replied with an air of authority.

'Believe me. You won't be disappointed. After all, I will give you Aramis afterwards.'

'You assure me that Aramis will be ours. He is all we want.'

'Of course. Committing treason tends to bind people together. I will send Aramis to you a few days after our plan has succeeded.'

'What if it doesn't succeed?'

'It will.'

Rochefort turned away and continued to pack and soon he and Renard mounted their waiting horses and set off on the road towards Dreux.

Anne was distracted as her ladies helped her to dress. She hadn't slept well the night before and was still apprehensive about this journey. Even worse, she was going to have to tell Constance that Lady Sarah would accompany her. Anne was sure Constance was more unwell than she would admit and Anne didn't want to risk her on this journey. Constance would surely protest but Anne had made her decision and would not go back on it.

The doors opened and Constance entered before curtsying, 'Your Majesty.'

'Constance. How are you feeling?' asked Anne.

'I am well Your Majesty,' Constance replied but Anne could hear the croak in her voice and knew she had made the right decision. Constance looked around and could already see Lady Sarah wearing her travelling cloak.

Anne seeing Constance's look confirmed, 'Lady Sarah will be accompanying me today.' Constance opened her mouth to reply but thought better of it.

Anne moved swiftly over to where Constance stood and took her friends hands in hers, 'I will not have you risk your health for me. Captain Treville will be accompanying me and will back tomorrow.'

'Please allow me to come with you, Your Majesty,' pleaded Constance, looking her friend directly in the eyes.

'No,' Anne replied simply and squeezed her friend's hands. 'I will not put your health at risk my friend. Besides I'll be back tomorrow and there will be nothing to worry about.' Anne wasn't sure whether she said this only to appease Constance's worry or her own. No matter what, she wasn't looking forward to this trip and was lamenting the lack of her musketeers.

The musketeers woke relatively early but once again didn't make their way down for breakfast too early, instead deciding to pack so they could make a quick exit after breakfast. Aramis found himself feeling rather fidgety and restless but could not find a reason.

'You alright,' Porthos asked the marksman.

'Yeah,' Aramis sighed, but saw the look his friend gave him suggesting his answer wouldn't suffice. 'I dunno. Something just doesn't feel right.'

Porthos studied his friend closely. All of them on occasion had felt this way and more often than not something concerning had followed. Sometimes it was injuries to each other and sometimes it was general attacks on musketeers, their captain or the royals themselves.

'Let's just be on our guard then,' Porthos said, indicating that he believed his friend wasn't being paranoid. Aramis was grateful for his words and continued to pack but still couldn't shake the feeling nagging away at him.

Before long Queen Anne was standing on the steps of the Louvre, resplendent in a gold gown, waiting for Louis to see her off. She was beginning to wonder if Louis would be bothered to turn up at all when he appeared smiling. She tried to return his smile but the effort was only half-hearted.

'Do you have everything you need my dear?' he asked.

'Yes, I believe so. The documents are stashed in the hidden compartment under the seat,' she replied.

'I am sure the Duke of Mayenne will be charmed by you my dear. How could he not be?' Anne offered a weak smile while Louis kissed her forehead.

Anne turned to the carriage where Lady Sarah was already waiting. Constance was still hanging around just in case Anne changed her mind but Anne wasn't going to.

Treville helped her into the carriage and turned as Louis called to him, 'You will make sure she is safe Treville.'

Treville secretly shirked at the loss of his former title, 'Of course, Your Majesty,' he bowed and quickly mounted his horse and the procession proceeded through the palace gates.

The musketeers ate their breakfast quickly and were somewhat happy that Fortier had yet to join them. It wasn't because they didn't want the Comte there, more that they knew they would be leaving many hours later if he was. As they finished their food they thanked Sophie for all her work asked her to send their compliments to the kitchen staff and made their way to their rooms to finalise packing and preparing the horses.

To their surprise they found Dubois, Bouchard, Herbert and Jacques having already started preparing their horses for the journey and soon the horses were all prepared and the musketeers were ready to go.

'Herbert, how are you feeling,' Aramis asked.

'Much better now, thanks to you Monsieur Aramis and Dr. Allard,' Herbert smiled in reply.

'Well I'm glad,' Aramis smiled back. The musketeers lead their horses from the stables to the gate of Fortier's estate.

'You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye, were you?' suddenly came Fortier's booming voice and the musketeers all turned to look at him.

'Of course not,' replied Athos. 'We just wanted to make sure we had everything ready. We have taken up too much of your time already.'

'As I told you, it has been a pleasure to have you here.'

'And we are overwhelmed by your generous hospitality,' Athos bowed slightly and the others followed. Fortier seemed to blush slightly at the compliment.

'Well, all of you are welcome here again. Even if you're just passing by, we would all be happy to see you. Also if you need somewhere to stay for the night on a journey or fancy spending some time away from Paris, we would be more than happy to accommodate you,' Fortier opened his arms welcomingly and before they knew it he had enveloped Athos in a hug. The swordsman was slightly stunned at the turn of events but hugged back as he didn't want to appear rude. D'Artagnan was next followed by Aramis and Porthos, whose massive wingspan made Fortier look small.

The musketeers mounted their horses and gave a nod towards Fortier as they turned to leave.

'Just one moment,' Fortier called and the musketeers turned to look back at him. 'I wish for you to have this,' he held out an object that was obviously a filled money purse to Athos.

'You know that we cannot accept that,' Athos stated.

'I thought you might say that. Please take it. I have money and I'm sure you all have very little. Use it as you see fit. It may at least help buy you some descent meals on your travels back or a better wine.' Fortier looked imploringly at each of the musketeers and it was Porthos who cracked first.

'You've been so kind-,' he began his voice starting to crack with emotion.

'Then let me do this one last favour for you all,' Fortier smiled. His glare was friendly yet there was air of authority about it. A look Athos used so well.

Fortier watched as the musketeers commenced their silent communication with mainly looks and shrugs. He could tell they were having a complete conversation in front of him but he had no idea what they saying.

In the end Aramis outstretched his hand to take the purse.

'We thank you for everything and will not let your gift go to waste,' he said with a charming smile. Fortier briefly revelled in his victory and yet felt sad that these men were leaving. They had made quite an impression on him.

The musketeers finally turned to leave and raised their hands in farewell and then urged their horses away from the Comte de Fortier's estate, although they would never admit it, with slight tears of affection in their eyes for a man that had treated them like family.

A/N: I'm interested as to whether you liked Fortier or not as this is the last we will see of him I'm afraid. I know I certainly enjoyed writing a different kind of noble. :)