Hello again. Sorry the updates quite late. This chapter is shorter than the more recent one's but I didn't want to half start a scene.
I hope you enjoy it. :)
Chapter Twenty-Two
The musketeers couldn't get away fast enough but all were happy to get one over on Rochefort with Louis announcing that Athos was to be in charge. The idea of working with the Red Guards was not the best but they would have to manage. Athos was quiet as he thought of the four extra men he would need while D'Artagnan was trembling slightly with his concern for Constance. Porthos seemed merely angry but it was Aramis that Athos was truly worried about. The marksman was quiet and that was never a good sign.
Athos allowed D'Artagnan and Porthos to walk in front as he dropped back to walk with Aramis. He studied his friend and could see lines of worry and fear that rarely covered the marksman's face, even when in serious danger.
Athos lightly brushed Aramis' arm to indicate he wanted to talk to him and Aramis looked to his friend.
'Aramis, I know you are worried about the Queen,' Athos started quietly as they lagged behind the other two. 'But I need you to tell me honestly if you are going to be able to control your emotions and obey my orders?'
Aramis stopped walking to truly consider his friend's question. A question Athos would only ask if he was truly worried.
'Your right, my friend, I am worried. But I promise you I will not disobey you. I will keep my emotions in check and will not do anything stupid or reckless that could endanger anyone,' Aramis replied staring straight into the icy blue orbs of his brother. Athos placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently in reassurance.
'Just let me know if this is getting too much,' Athos replied with one of his more sympathetic looks.
'CONSTANCE!' came the shout that made everyone jump and turn as D'Artagnan raced towards the Dauphin's chambers and scooped her up into his arms, lifting her off the floor. His relief evident for all to see. Constance too was smiling broadly as he held her.
'Well someone's happy,' Porthos remarked grinning as Athos and Aramis caught up with slight smiles too.
D'Artagnan let go and cupped her face in his hands, 'I was sure you were with the Queen. I was so worried,' and again enveloped her in his arms, planting a kiss in her hair.
Constance finally drew away and saw the others smiling at her, well Athos' slight upward curve of the lips was as close to smiling as she had seen him.
'I was meant to but I wasn't well and Her Majesty insisted that I stay behind to rest,' Constance said rather quickly with a slight air of needing to justify why she wasn't with the Queen.
'Constance,' Aramis moved forward and rested his hand on her shoulder, 'We're glad you are safe,' he said and Constance could see his honesty shining in his eyes.
'What are you all doing back?' Constance asked confused. 'I thought you weren't meant to be back until tomorrow.'
'Aramis had a feelin' somethin' was wrong so we raced back,' Porthos said looking directly at the marksman.
Constance nodded but creased her face in confusion again,' D'Artagnan, what have you done to your eye?' she reached out to touch the bruise that was now forming around his left eye making him wince slightly.
'We were set upon by some villagers,' Athos replied in a level tone, indicating it was nothing to worry about.
'Actually, it's thanks to them we made it back when we did as we had to ride a fair bit further to find somewhere to camp that night,' D'Artagnan remembered. 'We wouldn't have got back if we hadn't had to ride on.'
Aramis was secretly thankful that they had been forced to ride on and could now be part of the Queen's rescue. Suddenly the sound of a baby crying caught everybody's attention as Marguerite appeared holding the bawling Dauphin looking distressed and harassed.
'It's no good Constance,' she sounded tired and frustrated. 'He won't calm. I don't know what else to do.'
Constance moved towards the governess and suddenly found herself smiling and Marguerite gave her a quizzical look as she took the bawling baby.
'Aramis here,' Constance strode towards the marksman.
'Constance, I really don't think-,' he was cut-off by Constance placing the crying child in his arms and Aramis wore a look of shock at his predicament. Porthos and D'Artagnan were chuckling loudly at their friend but Athos wore a worried expression.
'Sing to him. Like you did to Henry,' she smiled as Aramis glared slightly, although he was secretly thankful for this moment.
'Constance,' Marguerite started but Constance held her hand up and indicated towards Aramis who had started to sing in Spanish and was bouncing the screaming child gently in his arms.
Quickly the baby was entranced by Aramis' voice as he dangled his gift from the Queen in front of the baby who tried to catch it. The screaming was replaced by happy gurgling as Aramis sauntered into the Dauphin's chambers oblivious to all.
'See,' Constance smiled at everyone, looking very pleased with herself.
'You do know that we'll never stop teasing him about that?' D'Artagnan quipped making everybody laugh, well almost everybody.
'You two go back to the garrison and tell Gabriel, Allard, Petit and Durand that they will accompany us,' Athos ordered Porthos and D'Artagnan. 'Start getting everything ready and we'll join you when,' he paused, 'the new governess has finished,' he whispered making both men smile.
Athos entered the Dauphin's chambers to find only Aramis there, who was still singing but softly now as the baby started to lull into sleep.
'Please tell me Constance doesn't know?' he whispered harshly.
'She's aware of our feelings,' Aramis shifted uncomfortably, 'but I don't think she knows it went that far,' he whispered back while Athos rolled his eyes.
'Knew you were the man for the job,' Constance smiled as she re-entered the room looking directly at Aramis.
Rochefort couldn't hear what was being said but the sight of the musketeer holding the royal child spiked his anger. How dare the musketeer hold the next King of France? His beloved Anne's child. He watched through the slightly open door as Aramis lay the baby in his crib as the child fell asleep. The Queen would hear of this and knowing her child was touched by a common soldier would surely change her mind about the musketeers but there was something in how Aramis held the child. Almost as if he truly cared for him rather than just doing his duty. Rochefort's thoughts were cut short as he realised he would have to make himself scarce as Athos was moving towards the door.
'Aramis,' Athos called. 'We need to go.'
Aramis placed the sleeping baby into his crib and with a smile noticed the stuffed bear he had given to Constance for the child.
'He loves it,' Constance commented as she saw the line of Aramis' gaze and almost to illustrate the point the sleeping child moved an arm to towards the bear as he slept and Aramis placed the bear in his grip.
'Thank you, Aramis,' Constance smiled while Aramis half-bowed to her. 'If we have trouble again, I know who to call,' and she stepped on her toes to kiss his cheek before whispering, 'Bring her back safely.'
Aramis nodded and left with Athos with the latter giving the marksman a very caged look.
'I didn't ask her to do that,' Aramis stated defensively as he looked towards his friend.
'Aramis, you must keep your distance, you know that,' Athos stated forcefully.
'I know,' Aramis replied dejectedly looking downcast.
As they started walking down one of the endless staircases a voice called out, 'Athos,' and Athos turned to see his wife walking towards him. The air temperature dropped about 10 degrees as the husband and wife looked at each other coldly.
'I'll get the horses ready,' Aramis mumbled as he moved to make a swift exit but he rather thought that neither of them had heard him or noticed him start to move.
'I suppose you want me to say thank you,' Athos broke the silence.
'It would be a start,' Milady countered her eyes gleaming at his discomfort.
'Thank you for recommending us,' Athos said curtly before turning to leave.
'Don't you want to know why?' Milady called after him and Athos froze trying to keep his emotions in check. He slowly turned to face her and walked back up the few steps he had transcended.
'Why did you help us?' he asked glaring straight into his wife's face.
'Simply because the Red Guard are pathetic no matter who commands them,' she said staring straight into her husband's eyes seeing no reaction. 'Musketeers don't die easily,' she continued, 'After all I've tried and failed, especially you four,' she added smiling in victory as Athos' eyes glared back as he remembered her attempt to kill them all.
'I have to prepare,' he said to end the conversation and turned to leave.
'Oh Athos,' she called and he stopped but did not look, 'Did I ever tell you, that your still the best lover I've had?' she grinned as he stalked away he face reddening in anger and embarrassment at her statement, but he couldn't help wonder if she was telling the truth. He walked over to Aramis and mounted his horse silently.
'It went that well huh?' Aramis quipped but Athos' returning glare told him not to push it.
Anne and Tréville finally decided that it was time to settle down for the night but first they had gone through a rather embarrassing moment when they both realised they needed to relieve themselves and had no facility to do it. Renard had led them separately to another room where a bucket awaited them. Anne found it difficult to suppress her shame but it surely wasn't as shameful as soiling herself.
Once both had returned to their prison they agreed to try and sleep but both knew it would be futile. They listened to each other's breathing knowing that the other was still awake.
Tréville was finding it difficult to get comfortable with his broken ribs causing him pain and his mind was whirring about how tomorrow would unfold. He knew Athos would be able to handle the situation but Athos wouldn't be there and he hoped above anything that Rochefort was not in charge. Although he admitted to himself, it was likely that Louis would turn to Rochefort in this crisis and Tréville wasn't sure any of the other musketeers could face the King and argue their case successfully.
Anne couldn't sleep for worry and had folded her cloak to use as a pillow but in the end it was useful to mop up her silent tears. She wondered whether she would ever see her son again and whether she would see his father as well. She prayed that somehow that Aramis and his friends would be the ones to rescue her. Tréville's pride and belief in them was obvious and she was sure he was doing something similar. She had learned much about them this night but mainly she had learnt how much she respected and trusted them and knew she would have to be brave like them with all that she would have face tomorrow.
Rochefort arrived back at his office seething. Not only had the idiot king put Athos in charge, Aramis had seen fit to invade the Queen's chambers and hold the Dauphin. Rochefort started to wonder if Aramis had done this before when he had his intimate moments with Marguerite. Yes, the Dauphin was the next King of France but Aramis looked far more comfortable than he should have. As if he had done it before.
Rochefort turned and angrily swiped everything off his desk breathing heavily with his hands balled into fists. He stood unmoving in silent anger for several minutes before shaking himself and trying to calm down. They weren't supposed to be back anyway! His plan was in ruins but at least he would be allowed to travel with the rescue party. He suddenly remembered the prisoners and quickly picked up the quill and ink he would need to ask for their release.
He sat back in his chair still seething but the Queen would be rescued and she would see his concern as part of the rescue party. Then, soon after, Aramis would be gone. The Inseparables would be divided and division would surely weaken them. A smile crossed Rochefort's lips at the thought of no longer having deal with those men.
Aramis and Athos arrived back at the garrison after travelling in silence. Aramis knew when not to bait the wolf. Porthos and D'Artagnan had quickly informed Gabriel, Allard, Petit and Durand of the plan and were now getting supplies such as food and ammunition ready for tomorrow.
'We need everything ready so we can leave at first light,' Athos announced.
'I've already told Jacques to get the horses ready early and so far we've managed to get food supplies and Gabriel and Allard are checking ammunition,' D'Artagnan relayed to his friend.
'Good,' Athos replied tiredly.
'Lemay says if Joubert can make it through the night then he has a chance of survivin' but he's looks bad to be honest,' Porthos said dejectedly.
'I knew it was bad when I saw him,' Aramis agreed sadly. The musketeers paused for a moment as they reflected on the fate of their comrade.
'Let's finish off and get some sleep,' Athos started walking towards his room looking at the floor.
'He alright?' Porthos asked Aramis as Athos slipped away, shoulders rounded.
'Milady,' Aramis responded with a knowing look.
After all the preparations had been made, the musketeers made their way to their rooms, all knowing that they would barely sleep that night in anticipation of their attempt to rescue the Queen and Tréville tomorrow. Failing didn't bear thinking about.
A/N: I wanted to give Rochefort more suspicions about Aramis than we saw in the show. He just came to the right conclusion too easily in my opinion. :)