This is the longest chapter so far. I wanted to get the story moving a bit as it has been moving rather slowly. I also got a bit carried away. :)

I'm sure there are many mistakes because of the length but all are mine. I hope you enjoy it. :)

Chapter Fifteen

Queen Anne remained tense for the rest of the journey but the royal procession successfully reached Dreux without any problems. Anne was relieved to finally be at her destination just as night fell. The Dreux estate had originally belonged to a duke who had been disgraced and stripped of his title, therefore leaving the estate to the crown. It was maintained with skeleton staff throughout the year and was often a good meeting place that meant dignitaries did not have to travel into Paris itself and negotiations could be kept private.

Anne sighed as she stepped out of the carriage with the help of Captain Treville. Clearly the Duke of Mayenne had already arrived and would no doubt make it clear that he had been waiting. Anne readied herself and entered the house through the main door followed by Treville, Lady Sarah and the remaining musketeers.

Anne entered the drawing room to find the Duke of Mayenne already there. He was thin with shoulder length greying hair and a greying beard. He turned to look at the queen and bowed, then looked around as if expecting someone else.

'His Majesty was unfortunately waylaid with state business,' Anne stated confidently, answering the duke's look around the room.

The duke smiled slightly and sighed knowingly, 'Was he now?' he said sarcastically under his breath to non-one in particular. 'Ah, Captain Treville!' he said finally acknowledging the man's presence. 'It's been a while,' he said with a sincere smile and offered his hand.

'It has indeed sir,' Treville replied with a smile and shook the duke's hand. 'Must have been at least five years.'

'Really that long? Would you like some whiskey?' the duke asked Treville who nodded gratefully and the duke poured a generous measure before passing the glass to Treville. 'Forgive me Your Majesty,' the duke finally remembering Anne's presence, 'I don't suppose you drink whiskey. Would you like some wine instead?'

'I don't drink whiskey often, but after that carriage ride I think I may need it,' Anne replied with sincere exhaustion.

'Excellent,' the duke quickly produced an extra glass and poured a rather smaller amount of whiskey into Anne's glass, who took it gratefully and sipped the amber liquid. 'I like a woman who drinks whiskey,' the duke said with a glint in his eye.

Anne sat in a chair near the fire taking small sips of the whiskey as Treville manoeuvred a chair next to her's and the duke sat in the chair he occupied earlier.

Anne broke the silence, 'Do you wish to do the reading and signing tonight or tomorrow morning?' she asked the duke.

'As much as the hospitality here is adequate, I would rather return home as soon as possible tomorrow morning,' he said pompously. Anne could hear the underlying patronising tone in his voice but couldn't' help but agree with him, as she wanted to get back to Paris as soon as possible.

Treville produced the box that contained the papers and handed it to the duke who proceeded to read the documents. Treville and the duke were discussing the agreement but Anne found she wasn't paying attention, after all Treville had good rapport with the duke and could deal with most things. Anne stared into the fire as she became lost in her thoughts, mainly about her son, Louis and Aramis.

Anne was startled when the duke clicked his fingers and ordered for an inkwell and quill to be brought.

'You are happy with terms?' Anne asked and the duke nodded as the quill and ink were laid before him and he quickly signed the papers and downed the rest of his whiskey.

The duke rose from his chair and turned to Anne, 'Forgive me Your Majesty, it has been a long journey here and it will be a long journey back. I feel I must get some rest so I bid you goodnight,' he bowed and left Treville and Anne alone in the room.

'Well that was relatively painless,' Treville commented as he downed the rest of his whiskey.

'Did he have any complaints?' Anne asked.

'No. I think he just wants to return home.'

Anne finished her whiskey and was led to her room for the night.

Rochefort returned late to the palace but had a spring in his tired step. Renard had agreed to his plan and soon Anne would be grateful to him for coming to her rescue.

Rochefort rounded the corner, and to his surprise, found Madame Bonacieux before him.

'What are you doing here?' he asked in surprise. Constance returned the look of surprise and said nothing.

'Forgive me,' Rochefort started, 'I had thought that you would have accompanied Her Majesty to Dreux,' he recovered.

'I would have gone,' Constance told him with an obvious croak in her voice, 'but I have been unwell and Her Majesty asked me to stay behind to recover.'

'Well of course. It is important to rest and recover to be able to do you duties to the highest standard. Who is accompanying Her Majesty?'

'Lady Sarah.'

'I wish you well with your recovery Madame Boncieux,' Rochefort said as he quickly made an exit. His plan wasn't going quite as well as he had hoped. No matter. The removal of Madame Bonacieux would have been a bonus but the main goal of his plan was intact. Unfortunately for Lady Sarah, she would just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The musketeers had a quiet day travelling back to Paris. They could take a quicker route without the cart and had made good time in the nice weather. As dusk started to approach they made their way into a small town and spotted a tavern. Two stable boys came out to take their horses but their smiles dropped at seeing the musketeers.

The musketeers looked around and could see many faces staring back at them from doorways and windows. The looks were mostly of fear but a lot resembled anger.

The tavern door burst open and the roar of many voices greeted the musketeers. Five unarmed men made for the foursome who reacted instantly. Not wanting to seriously hurt or kill the men, the musketeers left their weapons alone and decided to engage in hand to hand combat.

D'Artagnan was reached first and dodged the man's fist which was thrown in obvious anger. D'Artagnan continued to stave off blows but the man was large and strong and soon connected with the Gascon's left eye. D'Artagnan fell to the ground but although dazed, he managed to swipe the man's feet from beneath him and sent the man crashing face first to the floor. Quickly the Gascon sat on the man's back and quickly undid one of his belts to tie the man's hands behind his back.

Aramis was next and managed to deflect what would have been a crushing blow had it made contact. The man was roughly the same size as Aramis and the marksman quickly outmanoeuvred him but another man caught Aramis from behind and his original attacker kicked Aramis hard in the stomach, causing him to yell with pain and buckle slightly.

The man made to punch Aramis but his fist was suddenly enveloped by a much larger hand. Porthos squeezed hard and the man cried out in pain as his hand was crushed. The man holding Aramis was momentarily distracted and Aramis elbowed him hard in the stomach. The man was now on all fours gasping for air. Aramis himself was still suffering from the kick he had received but the marksman was too quick for his opponent as he knocked the man onto his back and quickly sat on his legs, preventing the man from kicking. Aramis had the man's right hand trapped by his left foot and the man's left arm was being held By Aramis' right. Aramis reached behind him and drew his dagger which he then held calmly at the man's throat and the man stopped moving.

Porthos had seen the trouble Aramis was in and stepped in to stop the man from punching his friend. Porthos' grip was by far the strongest and he applied the pressure instantly, successfully breaking the man's hand. Another man then jumped on Porthos' back but he didn't stay there for long as Porthos turned quickly loosening the man's grip and swinging the man wildly. Porthos reached behind him and pulled the man in front of his face and growled deeply, taking satisfaction as the man's eyes widened considerably. The man with the broken hand was angered and charged towards the large musketeer but soon Porthos had them both in head locks underneath his large arms.

Athos was soon fighting his own man but it was clear that Athos was the better fighter. However, Athos missed with a left jab leaving him slightly exposed and his opponent tried to take advantage of it. The man threw a punch but instead of hitting Athos' jaw like he planned, the man hit Athos neck causing the musketeer to struggle for breath slightly and feeling a little dazed. The man tried to punch Athos in the gut but found himself blocked and thrown to the floor. Athos placed his left foot on the man's back and reached for his pistol. Athos fired a shot into the air and silence fell.

'Enough!' roared the swordsman. 'We are not your enemy. What is the meaning of this attack?' Athos glared around him and saw many avert their eyes.

'You're soldiers,' a young man, no older than D'Artagnan, piped up. Athos looked at the man but didn't say anything. 'Last time soldiers came, they took all our money. Many of our precious things they took. They attacked us and were vicious an' all,' the man continued. 'They said they'd be back to collect more taxes.'

'We are not those soldiers,' Athos said calmly. Finally lifting his boot from his attacker's back. The other musketeers followed suit in releasing their attackers. 'Do you know what regiment they were from?'

'No,' the man shook his head.

'What colour were their uniforms?' Aramis asked calmly.

'Red.'

'Red Guard,' muttered Porthos angrily. 'Rochefort's behind this.'

'We are King's Musketeers,' Athos stated looking around to everyone. A murmur passed through the crowd. 'I'm afraid there is not much we can do about the collection of taxes, however we will mention the unfairness you have faced at the hands of the Red Guard.'

The man who attacked Aramis spoke up, 'We've committed treason for attacking musketeers. We will all die now,' he said shamefully.

'Not if we leave now with no further violence. I give you my word,' Athos said with conviction.

'How do we know you won't betray us?'

'I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that,' Athos put his icy glare to good use. The stable boys had returned with the musketeer's horses and soon they were mounted and ready to go. With a final nod to the people, the musketeers rode away protecting their various injuries.

Anne was restless and couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned but couldn't find a comfortable position. She had thought that once the duke had agreed terms she would feel better. If anything she felt worse. This whole trip had left her uneasy and now she wished to be in the Louvre holding her son and kissing him goodnight. She missed him greatly. She turned her face into the pillow and wept.

The musketeers finally arrived at a clearing that would allow them to camp for the night and made sure they were a long way away from the town. All were weary from their fight and the lateness of the hour. D'Artagnan's eye was starting to bruise, much to Porthos' amusement.

'Yer gonna have a right shiner there,' the big man laughed while D'Artagnan scowled. Aramis winced slightly as he laughed. He was pretty sure that at least one of his ribs was bruised and he looked up to see Athos staring at him. Luckily the swordsman said nothing as they set up camp. Porthos soon had a fire going and the musketeers were glad of the food that Sophie had insisted they take before they left Fortier's estate. They ate their ham, cheese and bread in relative silence.

Athos was struggling to swallow as his throat had started to swell and this hadn't gone unnoticed by Aramis who decided to check Athos over and came to the conclusion that Athos needed a cold press and quickly dashed off to the nearby stream to wet a bandage. Aramis returned with one for D'Artagnan as well, whose eye had swollen and had a red rim around it and by morning it would be purple. After enduring Aramis' fussing Athos finally pointed out that Aramis needed checking too and Porthos' shook his head at Aramis hiding his own injury and putting everyone else before himself.

Aramis removed his doublet and lifted his shirt to show a red/purple boot mark over his ribs.

'I've just bruised my ribs. I'll be fine,' he said. 'I'm more worried about Athos and D'Artagnan.'

'How come Porthos didn't get hurt?' D'Artagnan whined while pressing the cold bandage against his face.

'Talent,' was the big man's simple reply before he laughed his booming laugh at his three sulking brothers.

The men sat quietly round the fire for a while as they let their food digest. The stars were bright in the sky, as was the moon although it was only half full. Soon D'Artagnan started to yawn and his eye was looking rather puffy.

'Aramis and I will take the first watch,' Athos declared. 'You two get some sleep.' Porthos and D'Artagnan quickly moved to their bedrolls and bade their brothers' goodnight.

Aramis and Athos sat in silence for a while and then listened to their brothers' snoring as both were now sound asleep.

'What's wrong,' Athos asked his friend but Aramis didn't seem to hear him. 'Aramis?' Athos tried again.

Aramis jerked at his name, 'I'm sorry. What did you say?'

'I asked what was wrong. You've been distracted all day.'

'Oh. Nothing.' Aramis looked up to see Athos looking directly at him and knew that his friend hadn't believed him. Aramis didn't think he'd been acting differently but Porthos had noticed this morning.

'I just have a bad feeling,' he said. 'I can't explain it. I don't think we're in danger so I'm a bit confused.' Athos knew Aramis's senses were often correct, in fact all of them had their moments, but there was something else troubling Athos.

'Aramis, you haven't been yourself since the Dauphin was born,' Athos shot a look over to his brothers to check they were still sleeping.

'He's my son Athos and I can't see him.' Aramis started running fingers through his hair as he often did when feeling emotional.

'We've been through this. He is not your son. He is the king's son and that is all he will ever be.' Athos could now see that Aramis' eyes were starting to glisten as he couldn't stop the tears that were surely to follow. Athos moved from where he was sitting to sit next Aramis, again checking that the other two were asleep. Athos encircled Aramis with his left arm and pulled the now silently sobbing marksman's head onto his shoulder and started running his right hand through Aramis' hair.

'I can't even begin to understand what you're going through. I know that the temptation must be strong but you also know that suspicions will be raised if you are constantly found around the Dauphin's rooms.' Athos felt Aramis nod into his shoulder but the man continued to sob.

'I wish I could comfort you more,' Athos felt Aramis now shuddering against him and continued to run his fingers through Aramis' hair.

'I've made such a mess of things,' Aramis pulled away from Athos' shoulder so he could look his brother in the eye.

'Aramis, why couldn't control yourself that night?' Athos saw the guilt radiating through his brother's eyes and Aramis made to pull away further but Athos kept his grip and Aramis finally rested his head against Athos' shoulder again.

Athos thought Aramis wasn't going to answer but the man surprised him by asking, 'Did I tell you about Isabelle?'

'The nun? You said you'd known her before you left for Paris. That you were due to marry but she disappeared and apparently went to that convent.'

'So I didn't tell you the reason why we were to marry was because she was pregnant?' Aramis looked up at Athos who shook his head. 'I told Anne that,' the marksman mumbled. 'She lost the child and I never saw her again, until the convent. I loved her Athos. Truly. Then she told me how we wouldn't have been happy but I always believed we would have been. Maybe she was right, I wouldn't have been a good father,' he finished with bitterness in his voice.

'Aramis look at me,' Athos ordered and the marksman complied. 'I truly believe you would be a great father.' Athos saw the merest hint of a smile cross his brother's face before Aramis placed his head on Athos shoulder again. Athos could still hear Porthos and D'Artagnan snoring but still stole a glance to check they were asleep.

'I was grieving. I was vulnerable,' Aramis admitted with shame in his voice. 'I had noticed how Anne,' Athos noticed Aramis using the queen's name, 'was beautiful before but after the Bastille I learned how kind she was. She shouldn't have cared. I was only a soldier.' Aramis looked up to Athos with confusion in his eyes.

'Aramis, you do realise that practically every woman you come across fancies you right?'

'If you say so.' Aramis returned again to Athos shoulder and Athos pulled him even closer.

'She never once panicked at our situation. She has such courage. I'll admit I was attracted to her but I never thought anything would happen. I had told her about Isabelle.' Sensing Athos uneasy movement Aramis turned to look at him and clarified, 'She asked me straight out and I couldn't hide it.'

'Well you couldn't lie to the queen,' Athos agreed.

'She was just there. Suddenly talking about the child she had lost. How she never forgot it and how Isabelle wouldn't too. I never have. I told her about what Isabelle had said and before I knew it she was kneeling in front of me. Her hand was on my arm and she was looking directly at me. I tried not to look at her, but when I did I could see her kindness shining through. She really cared.' Athos held Aramis even tighter and rested his cheek on Aramis' head. 'She kissed me first and I was shocked but I wanted her. At that point she wasn't the queen. She was truly Anne and she was beautiful. I kissed her and she didn't pull away. I knew it was wrong but so did she. I didn't care. I love her, Athos.'

'Of all the women who willing fall at your feet, you have to love the queen,' Athos sighed and could feel the small chuckle from Aramis.

'But I'm sorry, my brother,' Aramis suddenly broke Athos grip and pulled away. Shame and guilt was clear on his face. 'I have placed a terrible burden on you and you may yet be executed for treason. I am sorry. I don't know why you put up with me. I'm nothing but trouble.'

'Aramis. Aramis,' Athos called to stop the man's rambling. Athos turned to Porthos and D'Artagnan but both were still sleeping.

'Aramis look at me,' Athos called as he knelt before his friend. Once he had Aramis attention he continued, 'I would travel through the seven leagues of hell and back for you. You know that don't you?' Aramis nodded numbly before replying quietly, 'As I would for you.'

'Only three people know what happened that night. Neither of us will tell and I'm pretty damn sure the queen won't tell either.' Athos pulled Aramis closely to his chest and finally felt the marksman relax in his arms. Aramis was again sobbing quietly while Athos ran his fingers through his brother's hair. 'You will never be a burden to me.'

Aramis quietly mumbled, 'Thank you brother.'