This chapter is slightly different to the one planned as I've finally decided on Simon's motives and his thought process. It is slightly fragmented as well.

Also there is cursing in this.

Hope you enjoy it! :)

Chapter Thirty – One

The Duke could feel his nose bleeding and swelling from where the musketeer had hit him. Although he was in pain he was satisfied that Aramis was now a broken man. The musketeer had been sat on the straw rocking backwards and forwards with no recollection of anything or anyone around him when they had left.

'That'll be sore for a bit,' Renard smirked expecting a rebuke from the Duke.

'Was worth it though,' the Duke replied instead. 'He'll fight no more. Not sure he'll last very long now that he thinks his friends are either hurt or dead.'

'Where did you get that idea?' Renard asked curiously.

'Our mutual friend,' was all the Duke said and Renard understood. Rochefort had spoken about the bond between the men and the Duke had used it to his advantage.

'Well, I'll let him stew for a bit,' Renard smirked.

Aramis was sat in his cell. He no longer felt the physical pain in his body and he no longer cared. Only the visions of his brothers floated through his head. Athos dying from a punctured lung, Porthos chained up like an animal and D'Artagnan never being able to touch or feel anything with his fingers again. They were hurt because of him. He had caused this. How did they ever call him brother?

There was no point in living now. The fight was over and he'd lost. His brothers were either hurt or dead and his beloved Fidget was also gone from this world. He was the reason they were dead. Anne and his son would be better off without him. The treason at least would never come to light. They would be safe without him around. The world would be better off with him dead.

The three remaining Inseparables continued to search for their missing member but all grew worried as the sun was starting to fall in the sky. It was only a few hours until sunset and they still had no idea where they would find Aramis. It was starting to look hopeless.

'Let's try over there,' D'Artagnan pointed to his left as the others nodded with no better plan themselves. D'Artagnan started to move Zad in the direction he had pointed towards when the horse turned the other way unexpectedly. 'Zad, you stupid horse,' D'Artagnan grumbled and tried to convince the other horse to move. Zad didn't budge as Flip and Roger turned the same way as well.

'What's got into 'em?' Porthos asked surprised by the horses' actions. 'What the-'

'Ssshhh,' Athos' hissed quietly. 'Look at their ears,' he mouthed. All three horses were flicking their ears, clearly straining to hear something that their riders couldn't hear.

'I can hear hooves,' D'Artagnan whispered as Porthos lay his hand on his pistol and Athos followed suit.

'How many?' Porthos whispered back.

'Just one I think.'

Suddenly over the crest they saw a very familiar black stallion charging towards them. Fidget. Though the musketeers were happy to see Aramis' horse, the lack of saddle and Aramis was unnerving. Fidget stopped a few metres away from them and started pawing his front left hoof on the ground. He shook his head and neighed, whinnied and snorted. The musketeers were shocked as their horses did the same in turn.

'They're talking to each other?' Athos said astonished.

'Yer think?' Porthos said sarcastically.

'Athos, you surely realise that horses communicate?' D'Artagnan raised an eyebrow as his mentor had often done and Athos' expression left the younger man in no doubt that Athos wasn't amused. Or maybe he was, slightly. 'Anyway, now you know how I feel when you three have a silent conversation,' D'Artagnan whispered before his face fell as he realised what he had said.

Athos made to reach out to D'Artagnan but Fidget had obviously communicated all he had to say and turned and took off at break-neck speed. The other horses followed catching their riders by surprise and they all had to hang on tight. Porthos urged Flip forward so he could grasp the rope tied around Fidget's neck. He managed to slow Fidget but the horse was clearly distressed. Eventually Fidget slowed as his energy reserves depleted but in the distance a stone shack could be seen with horses tethered outside and smoke coming from the chimney.

'Look there,' Athos pointed at a near copse of trees and the musketeers headed towards them. Fidget, though reluctant to move, finally followed as Porthos led Flip towards Athos and D'Artagnan. Fidget tried to move out of the trees towards the shack but D'Artagnan managed to soothe him by rubbing the horse's neck and nose. The horse clearly wanted to go towards the shack making it clear that Aramis was in there.

Athos took the spyglass and tried to analyse the building. So far he could only see one entrance and there were two men posted outside. It was unclear how many were inside but he doubted there would be many from the size of the shack.

'Right,' Athos said business-like once more. 'There are two men on the door and there appears to be only one entrance. We need to scout the building to see if there are any weaknesses and see if we can determine how many men are inside.'

D'Artagnan took the large cooking pot from his saddle bag and placed it on the ground. He drank some water from his water-skin and then tipped the rest into the pot before placing the pot in front of Fidget who was now tethered to a tree with the other horses as well as hobbled to stop him charging for his rider.

'You did so well,' D'Artagnan crooned to the horse. 'Don't worry we'll get him out,' D'Artagnan continued to stroke Fidget and the horse finally started to drink the offered water.

The Duke moved back down to the cell to see Aramis one last time. He couldn't resist rubbing in his victory. Aramis was now sat leaning against the cell wall with a very dazed expression on his face but did look up as the Duke entered the cell.

'Well, I better be off,' the Duke said jovially. 'A feast will be ready for me when I return.' The Duke expected to see anger and hopelessness from Aramis instead he saw a smile from the musketeer.

'Enjoy your food,' Aramis said lightly. 'Though I doubt you'll be able to taste it.' Aramis knew that although he was beaten he would make sure the Duke remembered the smile and retort that he mustered now. He would die here but the Duke would always remember his smiling face rather than that of a beaten man.

The Duke glared at Aramis as he tried to rapidly think of a retort. He left the cell without an answer and turned back to see the musketeer smiling at him. He and wished that he'd never gone back to taunt him. The musketeer had accepted his death and that frightened the Duke even more.

'Porthos, go and check the other side,' Athos instructed. 'I'll check the near the horses and see if I can find evidence of a cellar. D'Artagnan, check the entrance but be careful as there isn't a lot of cover and you don't want to be seen. We need to make our attack under the cover of dark so we can surprise them.'

The musketeers all moved to their locations to scour the building. Any advantage at all, coupled with the element of surprise, could give them the best chance to take on the men inside the shack and rescue Aramis.

Porthos quietly circled the property from a distance. He had the spyglass but as much as the shack was old it did seem rather sturdy. As he circled he could see no other entrances or exits but as they had found out previously, there could be an escape route underground. Porthos looked around and deduced that this was unlikely. There was a stream nearby and the ground appeared water logged. The shack was also in a slight valley which meant run-off from the rain would go towards the shack, unlike the previous shack which was at a higher level. He could see gaps just above the ground's surface and concluded that there was likely to be a cellar and that would surely be a good place to hide Aramis.

Athos moved closer and could see the horses tied up. He could also see evidence of the rope that Fidget had torn to escape. He could see small windows just above the ground and knew that suggested that there was indeed a cellar and that would be the best place to hide Aramis. He wished he could give Aramis some kind of sign but there were a few windows and he couldn't possibly know where Aramis was. He cursed quietly as he continued to look for any other entrances but saw none. It seemed that the only way in and out was the front entrance.

D'Artagnan crawled on his stomach to get as close as he could without being seen. There were three horses tethered at the front of the building while more horses were tethered at the back. The front entrance was guarded by two men who really were just there and occasionally looked around but clearly felt that there would be no threat. D'Artagnan crawled a little closer as stopped as he heard voices.

'What did he say to you?' the first voice asked but D'Artagnan couldn't see the man. The voice sounded familiar but he couldn't place it.

'It doesn't matter,' came the second voice briskly. D'Artagnan smiled as he recognised the voice of the Duke. Aramis must still be alive.

'He's broken now,' Renard insisted as he came into full view and D'Artagnan bit back a growl. 'But something happened. What?'

'It is not your place to question me!' the Duke snapped. Something had unnerved him and D'Artagnan could easily guess what, or perhaps who, it was.

'Look, don't come back for a few days,' Renard said as the Duke and his two men mounted their horses. 'The musketeers will continue to look and any threat about arresting them will fall on deaf ears. We have enough provisions for tomorrow and the day after. They could be watching you.' D'Artagnan smirked slightly as Renard had no idea how right he was.

'Alright, I won't send anyone to you in the next couple of days,' the Duke agreed. 'I doubt he'll last much longer than that anyway. Dammit,' the Duke exclaimed as his nose started to bleed again. D'Artagnan smiled as deduced that Aramis was most likely responsible.

'I'll make it extremely painful, I promise,' Renard said as he backed away as the Duke started riding away from the shack. D'Artagnan's stomach gave a jolt as the man he had fought on the road to Fortier's a week ago came into view. This confirmed that Aramis was targeted if they had tried to get him before. 'Simon, check on the horses. We will be here a while longer.'

So the man's name was Simon, D'Artagnan was finally glad to put a name to the man's face. The other two guards followed Renard inside leaving Simon alone. The man looked tired and upset which D'Artagnan was struggling to understand. Aramis was in a bad way it would seem so surely Simon should be happy?

D'Artagnan was lost in his thoughts as a bee buzzed loudly in his ear. He instinctively moved to swat it away and slightly lost his balance causing a loud crunch. Simon's head snapped in the direction of the sound and the blue and brown eyes connected. D'Artagnan knew he had been seen and prepared to run but Simon just nodded slightly and moved towards the horses. D'Artagnan looked on confused at Simon's reaction. Why hadn't he raised the alarm? D'Artagnan slowly made his way back to the trees but Simon never turned around, as if he was ignoring the musketeer altogether.

Simon watched as the Duke came up from Aramis' cell looking slightly bewildered and not triumphant as was expected. Clearly Aramis had gotten to him. Simon didn't know what had happened to make Aramis wail like he had but he hoped that the musketeer still had some strength for a fight. The knowledge that his friends had already started looking for him was enough for Simon to wonder what he would do should they arrive. The youngest musketeer would surely recognise him and Simon doubted mercy would be on the young man's mind. Simon realised that most likely he would die here when the musketeers finally found their missing friend but he also realised that he wasn't afraid anymore.

He moved outside as he wanted to get some fresh air as that shack was damp and dusty. He also didn't want to be around Aramis' tormentors any more than he had to. Would he aid the musketeers when they arrived? He didn't know. They wouldn't trust him but he had to get Aramis some food somehow. Renard had told him to tend to the horses and he made towards the back of the shack.

He heard a rustling noise in the grass and his eyes widened as he saw the youngest musketeer staring back looking frightened at being discovered. They were here. Simon found himself nodding slightly to the musketeer hoping that the man would understand that he would not raise the alarm. To further emphasise his point Simon walked over to the horses as if nothing had happened and did not look back as he was sure the musketeer was retreating. Simon saw the torn rope and smiled as he realised Aramis' stallion was missing. It seemed that like the men, the horses were truly loyal to each other. Simon knew his own death may be near but he accepted that if he did die, it may be best to be killed by a musketeer who did so to save their friend.

D'Artagnan arrived back in trees to find Athos and Porthos already there. He was about to explain what had happened when Athos spoke first.

'There appears to be a cellar and there are many windows, suggesting many cells. I couldn't deduce which one Aramis was in,' he said.

'There are no other entrances and the building's sturdy,' Porthos confirmed his findings. 'I doubt there is a secret tunnel either.'

'I was seen,' D'Artagnan blurted out.

'Shit!' Porthos exclaimed and looked worried.

'I told you to be careful,' Athos hissed. 'Now they know we're coming,' anger was pouring from the man.

'I don't think they do,' D'Artagnan countered receiving disbelieving looks from his comrades. 'The man that saw me was the man I fought on the road to Fortier's estate. The Duke was just leaving and the man with the scar, Renard, from the Queen's capture was there as well. They've clearly been targeting Aramis.'

'That means the attack on the road, the attack on the Queen and Aramis' abduction are all linked,' Athos was looking thoughtful now as D'Artagnan took the spyglass from Porthos.

'That's him, Simon,' D'Artagnan pointed out as the others looked. 'He definitely saw me but he just nodded and carried on. He didn't go and raise the alarm. Is it doesn't make sense.'

'Unless...' Porthos smiled knowingly at Athos.

'Unless, what?' D'Artagnan looked confused.

'These men follow orders day in and day out without question. Perhaps, this Simon, has finally decided that he doesn't like his orders anymore,' Athos said.

'It happens when men believe they have been lied to one too many times,' Porthos nodded.

'Of course, Aramis, by just being himself can also get people on side,' Athos smirked slightly. 'Whatever the man's reasons we should be grateful.'

'Let's rest. We'll need our energy tonight,' Porthos said quietly.

Darkness fell and Aramis surveyed the place where his life would end. The cuts were starting to itch and that was a sure sign that they were infected. His mind was whirling and his brothers were his only thoughts. It seemed he would be joining Athos soon but he had no idea what would happen to Porthos and D'Artagnan. The cold and pain were secondary now but as the shock of the Duke's revelation wore off the pain was increasing. He was satisfied that the Duke wouldn't forget him in a hurry through. The man had truly looked troubled when he had left.

The cell door opened and Renard walked in. Aramis had hoped it would be Simon but he was no longer afraid of the pain Renard could inflict. Nothing could be worse than his brothers' fates.

'What d'you want?' Aramis broke the silence.

'You don't look as defeated as I thought you would be,' Renard stated curiously.

'This is not the first time I have lost brothers,' Aramis stated simply as he thought about Savoy and how dark his mind had been then. Curiously, he wasn't at that dark place now and Athos, Porthos and D'Artagnan, with all respect to the other musketeers, meant far more to him than anyone ever had. There was something not quite right about that.

'Here, make it last,' Renard said as he threw a full water-skin at Aramis. 'As I promised before, we'll do your back tomorrow,' Renard grinned evilly as he left but Aramis' demeanour was disturbing him.

Aramis took a drink of water and tried to make sense of his jumbled emotions. Surely he would have heard the cries of his brothers, wouldn't he? He realised that perhaps he was in denial but something wasn't right. He could feel it.

Simon sat in the kitchen as darkness fell. He had to decide who he truly sided with. Did he side with Renard? Or did he side with the musketeers knowing that most likely he would still die when they came for their friend? So far he hadn't told anyone that he had seen the youngest musketeer and he knew that the others would be close by and most likely that they would strike tonight. He hadn't mentioned the disappearance of Aramis' horse either as he knew that would put Renard and the other men on edge. No-one else knew of the horse's disappearance so he could always say the horse was there when he checked, he reasoned. Simon huffed slightly as he realised that in keeping quiet he had already made his decision. He wanted to go and tell Aramis that his brothers were coming but Boucher was keeping an eye on him so he decided to stay, eating his soup and bread, but he was on alert for the first sign of the attack.

The moon was finally high in the sky and the musketeers started to creep towards the shack. The moonlight was strong which meant they could see but so could their opponents. There had been no sign that Simon had told of their arrival and they were all grateful to the man, even though they could only guess at his motive. Of course, Simon may have told his colleagues and they were walking straight into a trap but the musketeers felt that was unlikely.

The musketeers kept low in the grass and stopped suddenly as the door opened. They couldn't see the man properly but when he turned into the moonlight and they recognised the scarred man, Renard. His posture was relaxed and he didn't seem to be concerned that he might be being watched. This confirmed that their arrival wasn't expected. Renard moved and started to pee into the long grass a few metres away from where the musketeers were hidden and Athos could feel Porthos tense next him.

Athos turned slowly and gave the man a warning look as Renard tucked himself away and started to move back to the shack and finally walked inside. Porthos let out a growl at his missed opportunity.

'A shot would have given us away,' Athos reminded him. 'At least now we know they are not expecting us.'

The musketeers started to move closer and D'Artagnan was the first to dash from the grass to press himself flat against the wall of the shack. Nothing was disturbed. Athos followed and flattened himself just in front of D'Artagnan who made a slight disparaging noise as Porthos appeared on the younger man's other side. They peered around the wall and Athos moved to the other side of the closed door. The door was wooden and could be brought down easily with the right force. The musketeers couldn't tell if it was locked but listened for voices.

'How long before we're out of here, d'you reckon?' the first voice said.

'Not too long,' a second voice replied. 'He won't last too long especially if Renard gets to his back tomorrow.'

'But have you seen him though?' the first voice sounded worried. 'He looks like he could still tear you apart if he was released.'

'Good job they won't release him then,' the second voice sounded more confident.

'What about his friends though?' the first voice was clearly worried. 'They'd kill us all.'

'They have to find us first,' the second voice sounded slightly exasperated, suggesting that they'd had this conversation before. 'Besides, the Duke said they were going in the wrong direction and he will have them arrested if they're found on his land. They're just soldiers, it's not as if they're that good!'

The wooden door snapped open with less noise than expected.

'We're not just soldiers...we're the elite. We're Musketeers.'

A/N: In relation to Fidget's story this came from one of my friends. There are two riding schools near us and the horses don't tend to mix. One day my friend was out and suddenly an unknown horse appeared and started 'talking' to her horse. My friend had to hold on tight as her horse bolted after the other horse. They found the other horse's rider unconscious from a fall and my friend called the air ambulance. These were horses that didn't know each other so I thought this would be natural for horses that did. :)

Also, you will probably hate me as I have to prepare to defend my thesis so I'm not sure when the next update will be but I have started the next chapter. Please don't hate me! I will update when I can. :)