I apologise for the late update as thought I would get this done quicker but life sort of got in the way.

Just as a warning we are beginning the whump and torture sequence. This chapter doesn't contain a lot but the subsequernt chapters will so this is an early warning. I will also warn on the following chapters.

Hope you enjoy it. :)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

'Excellent,' the Duke turned towards Aramis and the marksman felt a shiver go down his spine. He quickly turned to see two men approaching him and grabbed the first man throwing him into a mahogany table which collapsed as under the man's weight and punched the next man in the stomach causing the man to double over in pain.

Two more men came charging through a side door and Aramis knew that their aim was to restrain him as no weapons had been pulled. He successfully dodged around one man and pushed him stumbling into the other. The Duke looked on in amusement and Aramis saw the man's smirk knowing he was trapped. More men entered but this time pistols were aimed towards him and the men did not approach closely enough for Aramis to strike any of them. Aramis had no choice but to surrender.

The marksman held his hands up in defeat and stared at the floor. He felt hands disarm him by taking his beloved pistols, the dagger from his back and finally his musketeer sword. He was forced roughly to his knees and his arms were held out to the side with a man holding each arm firmly.

The Duke approached smirking and looked over to his beaten men who were finally finding their feet after Aramis' swift dismissal of them.

'So it is true that the Musketeers are the finest soldiers in France,' the Duke said silkily but his eyes were dark and cold. 'Had I not had enough men you would have escaped no doubt.'

Aramis tried to keep calm but he had a feeling that he himself had been targeted rather than an attack on any musketeer. The fact that the Duke had only responded once he knew the marksman's name told him as much.

'Tell me Aramis,' the Duke clearly emphasised the marksman's name leaving Aramis in no doubt that he was the Duke's target. 'Why do you think you are here?'

'I thought I was here to deliver a letter but apparently not,' Aramis heard himself say before thinking he would have been better off keeping his mouth closed. The Duke smirked and considered Aramis for a moment. The men holding the musketeer had his arms held slightly above his shoulders and were pushing on his shoulder blades causing pain and the Duke could clearly see the discomfort.

'Clearly this is not about a letter,' the Duke walked in front of Aramis before stopping in line with him and towering over the musketeer. 'So, do you know why you are here?'

'I will when you inform me,' Aramis replied coolly doing his best to hide his discomfort at his forced position. The Duke nodded to one of the men behind Aramis and a boot struck Aramis in the lower part of his part back shifting his body weight forward which also pulled on his shoulders. Aramis clenched his teeth but a small groan escaped him much to the Duke's delight.

The Duke knelt in front of Aramis and Aramis looked into his eyes with a defiant stare.

'You want to know why I hate you?' the Duke asked but Aramis offered no reply. 'It isn't the Musketeers I hate, although they are as involved as you I suppose, but you destroyed my life.' The stood and walked away from Aramis. Aramis could see that the Duke was seething and was rapidly trying to work out what he could have done. Instead he resorted to his default mode.

'I didn't sleep with your wife did I?' Aramis quipped as though he was in a completely different situation that didn't involve a crazed Duke wanting to cause him pain. The Duke's eyes flashed with amusement at the daring cheek of the man before him but his laughter made Aramis' skin crawl.

'Very good,' the Duke sarcastically clapped. 'I'm sure you have destroyed many lives that way but sometimes I wonder how you live with yourself knowing that you killed an innocent baby,' the Duke's tone was serious and his eyes were as dark as night and Aramis could see that this man truly believed he had killed a child.

'I have never hurt let alone killed a child!' Aramis retorted angrily but he only saw a sickening smile on the man's face.

'Are you sure about that?'

'Of course I'm sure!' Aramis was nearly shouting now. As a soldier he had certainly killed but suggesting that he had killed a baby was absurd.

One of the doors opened and the Duke and Aramis turned to see who had entered. Aramis' eyes widened as Renard stood before him. The man who had kidnapped the Queen.

'YOU!' Aramis shouted and made an effort to stand but was pushed back to the floor forcibly.

'We meet again,' Renard looked down at the musketeer.

'You kidnapped the Queen!' Aramis' anger was high but he tried to calm himself as he knew that emotions were his weakness.

'I did,' Renard knelt to Aramis level taking the Duke's place but was careful not to get too close to the musketeer. 'And you murdered a defenceless child.' Renard cocked his head to the side as he spoke calmly considering Aramis before him.

Aramis schooled his features and forced himself to breathe deeply. The pain in his shoulders was starting to affect him and his arms had gone numb. His back was also aching from where he had been kicked.

'Can you tell me how I killed this poor infant as I have no recollection of it?' Aramis smiled as he spoke and could see Renard was slightly unnerved by his question and demeanour but the Duke chuffed a laugh.

'You forget killing a small baby!' the Duke exclaimed in disbelief. 'Or have you killed too many that you can't separate them!' Aramis was taken aback by the viciousness in the Duke's words. These men really believed that he had killed an innocent child.

'How about I give you a clue?' Renard had regained his composure and Aramis could see hatred in his eyes. 'It involves a river.'

Aramis thought and then it came to him. He had 'accidently' dropped baby Henry into the river to make it look as though the child had perished. Of course he would never have done anything like that and in reality only the blankets had fallen in but Marie de Medici's men had believed the ruse. The realisation must have shown on his face as Renard and the Duke smiled evil grins.

'Now he remembers,' growled the Duke.

'The baby that you threw in the river,' Renard raised an eyebrow as Aramis pulled himself up as much as he could while he was being restrained.

'I did not kill baby Henry,' Aramis growled. 'I was pulled from my horse and the blankets he was carried in fell into the river. I was not at fault.' Aramis worded his statement carefully to make sure it wasn't a lie but didn't reveal the ruse.

'Marie de Medici would have made this country great again. You destroyed all of that!' the Duke was closer to Aramis than he had been before and Aramis could practically feel the hatred. 'Instead her idiot son rules over us.'

'You mean that I stopped you from having an important role on her council no doubt,' Aramis tried to keep his voice calm but was somewhat concerned that he could no longer feel his arms. 'Plus I'm sure she would have repaid you for your loyalty.'

The Duke stood and moved over to his drinks cabinet and poured himself a large brandy. He took a sip, 'I would have been one of the most powerful men in France and this country would be great again. I hope you are proud of yourself...musketeer,' the Duke sneered the word as though it thoroughly disgusted him. The Duke turned away so Aramis turned his attention to Renard.

'So...You're clearly not a man of standing so did I ruin your life as well of are you just doing this for your master?' Aramis provoked wanting to see Renard's response.

Renard grabbed Aramis by the throat and was centimetres away from the marksman's face. Aramis could feel the man's hot breath and how he was trembling with anger. Aramis realised he must have done something else to this man. Renard let go of Aramis and pushed him backwards. This time the men holding Aramis let go and Aramis felt his back hit the floor, winding him. His arms were numb and he tried to get the circulation going by opening and clenching his fists. He sat up and rested his aching arms on his knees as Renard looked murderously at him.

'You killed my brother,' the scarred man said quietly a few moments later.

'Well if I killed him he was a bad guy,' Aramis retorted. Renard made to rush at the musketeer but the Duke pulled on his shoulder to stop him. Aramis did not like the look that was exchanged between the two men.

'You got him executed for a crime he didn't commit,' Renard growled and then Aramis saw the resemblance.

'You're Vincent's brother,' Aramis stated and Renard gave a nod. Aramis knew he was in trouble and nothing he could say would stop their hatred.

'So you understand that you have to pay for your actions?' the Duke sneered as Renard held a pistol towards Aramis and Aramis couldn't help but flinch.

'Ah not yet,' the Duke was gleeful as he stared at the musketeer. 'Let's just say that your path to God will take a while and a lot of pain.' Aramis stared back as he was forced to his feet.

The Duke moved to step away but something caught his interest and he moved back towards Aramis. He reached out and held Aramis' gift from the Queen in his hand and Aramis felt his heart jump as the Duke held his precious token.

'Very beautiful,' the Duke mused. 'No doubt a gift from a gentleman's whore of a wife,' he sneered as Aramis physically jostled at the description of his gift from Queen Anne. The Duke reached around Aramis' neck and undid the ribbon and pulled the jewelled crucifix away from the musketeer's neck.

Aramis couldn't stop the 'No' he muttered under his breath and his actions truly amused the Duke.

'It clearly means more than a devotion to God. It's too nice be around your neck,' the Duke tied the jewel around his neck as Aramis watched on helplessly. 'Besides God won't help you where you are going,' the Duke's smile was sinister and was matched by Renard and Aramis felt truly alone.

'Take him,' the Duke ordered and Aramis sprang to life. He kicked one of the men holding him in the shin with his right leg and the man released his right arm. Aramis punched the other man holding him and took the pistol in the man's belt and shot another man charging towards him. He kicked and punched as much as he could but soon he was overwhelmed. He could hear Renard telling the men not to use excessive force and not to shoot. Aramis knew that this supported what the Duke had said about his death being painful. Soon he could fight no more and once again found himself on his knees. He'd received a kick to the knee and a suffered a few punches but to be honest it was pretty much like a wrestling spar with Porthos but with more men holding him he had no chance of winning. That reminded Aramis of his brothers. The men he cared most about in the world.

Renard approached Aramis with a sinister grin and flipped the pistol he was holding and struck Aramis on the temple. Aramis knew no more as he crumpled to the ground.

Athos, Porthos and D'Artagnan were sat around their usual table and were eating the chicken stew that had been prepared for the evening meal. All three men were picking at their food and there was an uncomfortable silence.

'What are we all worrying about?' D'Artagnan broke the silence and waved his arms in exasperation. 'He's fine...Isn't he?' his final question was pleading as he looked from Porthos to Athos.

The older men exchanged looks and that did nothing to appease D'Artagnan.

'I'm worried,' Porthos admitted.

'I'm always worried about Aramis,' Athos agreed.

'I shoulda gone wit' him,' Porthos stated flatly as Athos placed a hand on the big man's shoulder.

'He'll be fine,' Athos said but for once he didn't sound convincing.

'He's been on many solo missions and he's generally been fine,' D'Artagnan tried to rationalise as the other two nodded. No-one touched their stew.

They heard footsteps coming from the balcony and Tréville appeared and descended the steps wincing and holding his chest. He looked to the group and confusion registered on his face.

'Where's Aramis?' he asked. 'I'm surprised I haven't been chastised for moving and not resting.'

'You shouldn't be moving and should be resting,' Athos deadpanned back and Tréville chuckled slightly but soon noticed their sullen demeanour.

'So where is he then?' Tréville sat next to D'Artagnan who had shuffled down the bench a little to make room.

'Rochefort sent him to deliver a letter,' Porthos' tone made it clear that he wasn't happy about it.

'To whom?' Tréville asked looking at Athos.

'The Duke of Épernon,' Athos replied flatly as Tréville grimaced slightly at the name. His reaction did not go unnoticed.

'Is that bad?' D'Artagnan asked, his worry was clearly evident.

'The Duke is a prickly man,' Tréville's voice was calm and the musketeers relaxed slightly. 'He would no doubt take it as a slight if a Red Guard had delivered a letter to him.'

'That's what Rochefort said,' Athos took a sip of his wine but it was clear he wasn't convinced.

'But why specifically send Aramis?' D'Artagnan asked agitatedly.

'Aramis can charm most people so maybe Rochefort thought it best to send someone who wouldn't get on the wrong side of the Duke,' Tréville suggested.

'Or maybe he didn't want Aramis on the hunt as he is the best marksman and Rochefort doesn't want the Musketeers looking good,' Porthos suggested but it was clear he didn't believe what he had said.

'Look, Épernon isn't far and he will be back tomorrow,' Athos said making eye-contact with everyone. 'He will probably be back before us and we will wonder why we were ever worried.'

'Let's hope so,' D'Artagnan said in hope as Porthos and Tréville huffed in agreement.

'Get him out of here,' the Duke pointed at Aramis and Renard indicated for the men to carry the unconscious musketeer. He stopped Renard by clutching the man's arm. 'He must suffer but don't let him die too quickly,' he ordered.

'Oh, I intend to drag it out,' Renard grinned evilly back.

'Take the horse, then shoot it,' the Duke turned his back to Renard.

'Forgive me sir, but that seems a waste of a horse. It is a fine animal,' Renard responded.

'And it is evidence of HIM!' the Duke reminded his accomplice. 'Shoot it.' The Duke turned his back again and Renard registered his dismissal.

He walked out to find the men strapping an unconscious Aramis to his horse. Renard stroked the horse who was careful not to move too much due to his unconscious rider but clearly made his unease noticeable.

Renard mounted and six other men accompanied him, including Simon and Boucher, and they rode gently towards their destination. Even with all the jostling Aramis didn't wake up and had been unconscious for over an hour. Renard became worried that he may have injured Aramis badly and the Duke would not be satisfied that Aramis had barely suffered.

The men carried Aramis down into a cell of a small and similar shack to one that had been used to hold Queen Anne and Captain Tréville. Aramis groaned as he was placed on a straw pallet and felt his head thumping as he finally regained consciousness. His wrists were placed in manacles attached to the wall and a bucket was brought within his reach.

After a few moments Aramis blacked out again.

'Monitor him,' Renard instructed one of the men that would be acting as a guard. 'When he wakes let me know,' the man nodded as the door to the cell was closed and locked with only a small barred window in the door.

Half an hour later Aramis regained consciousness again and looked around at his surroundings, instantly feeling the pull of the chains on his wrists. His head was thumping and he was already feeling sick and he deduced that he had concussion. Renard had hit him hard. He saw the bucket in front of him and quickly drew it close as his stomach heaved. He managed to sit back against the wall but registered very little with his mind in a complete fog.

The door opened and Renard entered and Aramis wished he didn't look so pitiful. Before he could think anymore he retched again and was panting slightly. Renard had a look of concern on his face which surprised Aramis but the marksman was reminded that in this state he would pass out from any kind of torture before they really got started. For once looking as pitiful as possible might pay off.

Renard turned and took the water-skin from one of the other men and handed it to Aramis who looked at him suspiciously.

'It's not poisoned if that's what you're worried about,' the scarred man offered Aramis the water-skin again and Aramis took it. The water was fresh but Aramis was wary about drinking too much due to the state of his stomach. 'I obviously hit you too hard as you have concussion,' Renard smirked while Aramis just nodded.

Aramis felt dizzy and rested his head against the wall and closed his eyes for a moment.

'Don't worry, the fun will start tomorrow,' Renard grinned. 'No fun torturing a cripple.' Renard laughed as he left and Aramis also realised he had been given a small portion of bread and cheese but he would try and eat it later rather than risk throwing it up.

He lay down on the straw, which was again surprised that he had been given, and fell asleep. A few hours later he was woken with a shake of his shoulder and looked up into the familiar eyes of Simon.

'Where have I see you before?' he slurred slightly noticing that the concussion was still affecting him.

Simon stepped back slightly as Aramis remembered, 'You attacked us on the road,' and Simon nodded.

'You're all good fighters,' he admitted. 'Here. It's broth,' he held out a mug and Aramis took it hesitantly.

'Thanks,' he couldn't help his polite reply but Simon didn't find it amusing he just merely nodded.

'Thought it would help. You're going to need your strength,' Simon's eyes were not like Renard's and Aramis thought for a moment that he saw pity in the tall man's blue eyes. 'Just make sure you live long enough for your friends to find you,' Simon turned and left.

Aramis was stunned at the man's statement but suddenly realised that nobody would know that he was missing until tomorrow and then his brothers would have to find him. Suddenly his future seemed very bleak indeed.

A/N: Any pointers on how dark I should make this would be really helpful as I haven't wrtitten anything like this before. Thanks. :)