Hi. This chapter turned out a bit longer than I thought. It was also a bit more difficult to write than I thought so I hope it's ok. I also, for some reason, kept changing between past and present tense but I think I caught it all.
Anway, just a reminder that I own nothing and all mistakes are mine. If I've made a howler let me know. Enjoy. :)
Chapter Thirty – Four
'I'm fine,' Aramis mumbled even though he knew he wasn't fooling anyone.
'Pass him down, Porthos,' Athos' voice was slightly panicked and the only time this happened was when he was seriously concerned for someone's wellbeing. Namely, his brothers' wellbeing.
Porthos passed Aramis down to Athos and D'Artagnan who quickly laid him down on the ground as Porthos dismounted.
'I'm fine,' Aramis grumbled again but he realised his eyes had been closed as he finally opened them to reveal a rather concerned looking Athos staring back. Athos' hand touched Aramis' forehead and although Aramis was warm they weren't quite at panic stations yet. Yet.
D'Artagnan appeared with a water-skin that Aramis drank greedily from. He felt his vision clear slightly and realised he was sat on the ground with the absolute attention of all three of his brothers.
'I'm-'
'Say your fine and I'll hit yer,' Porthos interrupted looking worried.
'Well I won't be fine if you do that,' Aramis tried to smile back but the humour fell flat.
The musketeers quickly ate lunch (Aramis managed a small piece of bread) before D'Artagnan checked that Athos' wound was showing no signs of infection and thankfully it wasn't. The bruises on Porthos' neck had started to blossom but he wasn't experiencing any problems swallowing which was lucky, although his voice did seem deeper and scratchier than usual.
They unwound Aramis to find that not the two big cuts were infected but some of the others were a little red as well. The large wounds were red and looked inflamed and had some pus on the outside.
Aramis was well aware of the state he was in.
'Just clean around the smaller ones with water if you can and try not to disturb the scabs but the bigger ones might need draining and getting to Paris would be best for that,' he said as he grimaced slightly.
'You never take a rest, do you?' D'Artagnan quipped making Aramis smile back weakly.
The musketeers quickly got to work and decided against bandaging Aramis again. Porthos declared he couldn't care less about his shirt and right now he really couldn't.
They knew they needed to get Aramis to a doctor quickly and packed up as soon as they were able. This time Aramis was riding with Athos to give Flip a break.
Although Athos rarely showed emotion it didn't mean he didn't feel it. Aramis hadn't fought them when it was suggested that he ride with Athos. Although it was the sensible course of action Athos had expected Aramis to at least sulk and pout playfully knowing that the decision had already been made. He hadn't and that worried Athos even more. Aramis was leant against his chest and Athos held on tight and kept checking the sleeping man's temperature and was carefully watching his breathing. So far there had been little change to Aramis' condition but Athos resolved to be on alert in case that changed.
The rest of the journey was quiet as worry spread through the musketeers. Aramis was oblivious to them as he slept quietly in Athos' arms.
Queen Anne had decided to take a walk around the gardens alone. Louis was currently being sickeningly sweet with his mistress and Anne just wanted to get away from it all. He was never like that with her. She was also very worried about Aramis and wanted to try and clear her head.
She desperately wanted to send a message to the Musketeer garrison to find out if he had returned but that would seem very suspicious and she couldn't afford to be seen favouring any musketeer in particular. Especially Aramis.
She sat down on the fountain's edge and felt the light water spray on her face as well as dampening her clothes slightly. It was rather refreshing even though the water evaporated rather quickly in the sunshine and heat.
She heard footsteps approaching and was about turn and tell the guards to keep their distance when she heard,' Are you alright, Your Majesty?' She turned to see Constance looking at her with a look of concern on her face before she quickly curtseyed.
'Constance,' Anne smiled and Constance returned it but it didn't reach her eyes. 'Sit with me,' she indicated the edge of the fountain, 'Unless you don't want to get wet,' Anne added as she realised she was sitting in the spray.
Constance smiled and quickly sat down relishing the relief from the heat and the sun.
'You're concerned about Aramis, aren't you?' Constance asked quietly. It was one of the things Anne liked about Constance, she spoke her mind. It was refreshing to hear somebody speak to her in the same way she spoke to others. All her other ladies said one thing to her face and another behind her back.
'Yes,' she answered truthfully. She could trust Constance to be discreet. 'Have you heard anything?'
'No,' Constance sighed. 'It seems that something must have happened,' she said dejectedly.
'You're worried about all of them, aren't you?' Anne asked quietly while she checked to see that nobody was within earshot.
'Not only did D'Artagnan storm into my life, he brought the other three with him!' Constance said in quiet exasperation. Anne smiled as she remembered Constance describing her first meeting with D'Artagnan at the market.
'I never took notice of the men that protected me until I truly needed them,' Anne confessed quietly. 'I have lived such a sheltered life with everything I want or need provided without trouble. That doesn't matter when a convict has a pistol at your neck,' Anne gave a small smile. 'The next thing I know I've been knocked to the ground with someone covering me to protect me.'
'Aramis,' Constance smiled knowingly before shelooked around but they were alone.
'Yes,' Anne had a slightly goofy smile on her face that made Constance recognise how she must look when D'Artagnan was mentioned. 'I have never really been touched by a man other than my husband before. Suddenly, I have Aramis' weight on top of me while pistols are blaring everywhere. But the difference was how he spoke to me. For a moment he saw me as a woman who was terrified, which I was, and he just tried to comfort me. He managed to collect himself but for once I wasn't the Queen I was just a woman. I'll admit I was rather smitten with him from then on. I was surprised at how jealous I was as well with how other women looked at him.'
'I'm the same with D'Artagnan,' Constance confessed. 'I didn't really think I was unhappy in my marriage until he came along.'
'Louis doesn't take much notice of me. As I told you before we're more friends than lovers,' Anne sighed. She couldn't tell Constance about her night with Aramis in case Constance worked out the truth. 'I never feel loved with him. That makes it difficult to have children although I had miscarried before my son was born.'
'I'm the same but D'Artagnan made me feel like he wanted me for who I am and it was such a difference-,' Constance suddenly tensed as she had just revealed the fact that she had committed adultery to the Queen! Constance suddenly started twiddling her thumbs in her lap as Anne's placed her hands over Constance's.
'Constance?' Anne called lightly. 'Constance?' Constance slowly lifted her head and looked at the concerned Queen.
'What must you think of me?' she blurted out. 'I'm...I'm...,'
'Lucky to have spent time with some you love,' Anne said quietly.
Constance couldn't understand why the Queen was being so nice. She had committed adultery and just confessed to it!
'It's alright Constance,' Anne smiled. 'You have no idea how many times I've wanted to jump on Aramis,' she said quietly making Constance huff a laugh. 'I do not judge you.' Constance could see the sincerity in the Queen's eyes and was grateful for it.
'It's not fair, is it?' Anne raised an eyebrow at Constance. Constance nodded to where Louis and Milady were in the distance. 'We live in a world where men can do want they want and we have to smile sweetly when we'd rather bash them on the head.'
Anne couldn't stop her laugh as Constance laughed beside her. Yes there were certainly times she had wanted to bash Louis on the head for being an idiot. Quite frequently actually.
If Louis and Milady were going to be in the gardens then Anne wanted to be nowhere near them.
'Let's go back to my chambers and dry out,' she suggested as Constance nodded. Anne was rather grateful to D'Artagnan for his suggestion of Constance as one of her ladies. She had finally found a true friend that she could trust.
Tréville was restless as he paced in his office, no his former office. Somebody else would take ownership soon. The Inseparables still hadn't returned and that only meant bad news. He knew that they would do everything they could to find Aramis but he couldn't help but fear the worst.
He decided to go and check on Joubert who was still recovering the infirmary with Gabriel by his side. He opened the infirmary door and was surprised to see Joubert leaning on Gabriel for support and clearly trying to exit the infirmary.
'Joubert?' Tréville questioned.
'Doctor says I can recover in my room, Captain,' Joubert huffed out. 'Don't wanna stay here.'
'Are you sure you're ready to move?' Tréville asked.
'Don't worry, Captain,' Gabriel smiled. 'I'm gonna make sure he does nothing stupid.'
'Let me help you,' Tréville took Joubert's other side and was instantly reminded about his ribs but he wasn't going to back out now.
Soon Joubert was in his room and Tréville quietly assessed his body. The ribs were still healing but he may have to think again before doing something like that. Aramis would most certainly scold him! Aramis. Tréville moved back to his office and poured himself a brandy. They weren't back yet.
The musketeers travelled for hours and Aramis was asleep for most of them. Athos was constantly checking Aramis' temperature which, for the moment, was remaining constant. Usually there would be much to talk about but none of the awake musketeers truly felt talking. Soon they were over a small hill and Paris was in sight.
'D'Artagnan,' Athos called and the younger man turned to face him. 'Give Fidget to Porthos. I want you to ride ahead and tell Tréville what has happened and get Dr. Lemay if you can.'
D'Artagnan nodded as he undid Fidget's reins and handed them to Porthos who attached them to Flip.
'I'll make sure everything is ready,' D'Artagnan to one more worrying glance towards the slumped form of Aramis and kicked Zad forward and charged towards Paris.
'How is he?' Porthos asked quietly.
'I'm tired,' came the surprise admission from Aramis who hadn't bothered to open his eyes.
'Since when have you been awake?' Athos asked with a slight droll in his voice.
'Heard you send D'Artagnan,' Aramis mumbled. 'We must be close to home now.'
'Why don't yer open yer eyes for us?' Porthos tried.
'Why?' came the quiet reply.
'Because that's what you always make us do,' Athos said gently rubbing Aramis cheek with his right hand. There was silence for a moment making Athos and Porthos think Aramis may have dropped off to sleep again.
'That's different.'
'How?'
'You get to look at me...but I have to look at you,' Aramis' mouth was curled into a small smile.
'Cheeky bugger!' Porthos laughed and even Athos managed a small chuckle.
'Open your eyes and I'll give you some water,' Athos said in a commanding voice after the laughter died down.
'Evil,' Aramis mumbled as he finally opened his eyes and Athos helped him drink the water. Once Aramis had finished they continued on their way hoping that D'Artagnan had managed to find a doctor.
D'Artagnan rode as quickly as he could through Paris before arriving in the garrison courtyard. He dismounted and quickly ran up to the office that Tréville still occupied. He knocked and heard a curt 'Come in' and saw Tréville look at him with a worried expression on his face.
'Aramis is in a bad way and we need to send for a doctor,' D'Artagnan rattled off while Tréville did his best not to show his worry.
'I'll send for Doctor Lemay and hope he is available,' Tréville scrawled on a piece paper and quickly left the office with D'Artagnan. He called one of the cadets over and told him to go directly to Doctor Lemay with no detours.
'What are Aramis' injuries?' Tréville asked as he and D'Artagnan made their way to the infirmary.
'He's very bruised and his fingernails are black,' D'Artagnan stopped for a moment to collect himself.
'And?' Tréville prodded.
'His chest is covered in cuts,' D'Artagnan's voice broke slightly as Tréville determined that these cuts were most likely infected.
'They're infected?' Tréville asked quietly as D'Artagnan nodded. Tréville moved closer to D'Artagnan and put an arm around his shoulders. D'Artagnan couldn't help but move into his captain's arms as he needed the comfort. 'You know Aramis...he's a stubborn old bugger,' Tréville said without letting go.
'I'll tell him you called him old,' came the slightly muffled reply making Tréville smile.
Finally they broke apart and sorted a bed in the infirmary before they went down to sit at the Inseparables' usual table to wait for the others to arrive. About half an hour later Athos, Porthos and Aramis entered the garrison and while Aramis was awake he wasn't looking very well. Athos passed Aramis down to Porthos and D'Artagnan and the musketeers made their way to the infirmary, slowly. Aramis had insisted that he could walk but Porthos soon lost patience and lifted him up into his arms.
Porthos placed Aramis gently onto one of the beds in the infirmary just as Doctor Lemay entered the room looking rather breathless.
'So, what's happened?' the doctor asked as he rolled up his sleeves as he regained his breath.
'He has bruising and his fingernails have been damaged but the main problem is that the cuts on his chest have become infected,' Athos stated matter-of-factly.
Lemay ushered them all out of the way to look at Aramis who was dozing on the bed.
'Have you managed to get him to drink water?' Lemay turned to the others.
'Athos is evil,' came the quiet response from the bed surprising everybody.
'Athos moved around the bed and sat next to Aramis. 'So I'm evil for making you drink water to keep you hydrated?' There was a quirk to Athos' mouth.
'Yes,' Aramis looked groggily up at Athos.
'Then I hate to tell you my friend,' Athos waited as Aramis made eye-contact, 'you're the most evil person here.' Aramis' eyebrows move towards each other in a frown. Athos put him out of his misery. 'Not only do you force water down our throats,' he indicated the others, 'you make us drink those foul concoctions as well!'
Athos was glad to see Aramis give a small smile as he muttered, 'Fair point.'
'We need to inform the King of recent developments,' Athos said quietly as he moved away to allow Lemay to inspect Aramis' wounds.
'I'm not leavin' 'im,' Porthos said with a threat of no argument.
'Didn't expect you to,' Athos shot back. 'We need to get to the palace now,' he said as he looked to Tréville and D'Artagnan who both nodded in return.
The three men walked towards the door of the infirmary all glancing back to see Lemay busying himself around Aramis while Porthos nodded from a chair near Aramis' bed.
Athos and D'Artagnan informed Tréville of everything they had found out about the Duke's involvement in Aramis' capture and torture as well as the Duke's involvement in the Queen's kidnapping. Tréville did not need to be told of Rochefort's involvement as he pointed out that technically they still had no evidence against the Comte before Athos could say anything.
They arrived at the palace and Tréville conceded that he thought it would be best if Athos addressed the King rather than him. Athos raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.
Soon they found themselves in the throne room where Louis was sat on his throne next to Queen Anne. Constance was stood next to the Queen and to everyone's disgust, Rochefort was stood next to the King.
'What have you come to tell me?' Louis asked rather petulantly as if he would rather be anywhere else.
'Sire, Aramis was captured and tortured by men of the Duke of Épernon,' Athos sent a small apologetic look towards the Queen who had manged to just about school her face but her eyes did look a little wide. 'We also believe that the Duke was involved in Her Majesty's capture and subsequent ransom.'
'WHAT?!' Louis flew of his throne and stormed towards Athos. 'The Duke dared to attack my Queen!'
'I'm afraid so,' Athos said quietly although he was rather annoyed that Louis seemed to have disregarded Aramis completely.
'And who gave you this information?' Rochefort asked icily suddenly worried that his part had indeed been found out. Athos turned to look Rochefort in the eye and Rochefort knew he had been rumbled.
'Aramis was able to tell us a lot about what happened but we also gained a lot of information from one of the Duke's men,' Athos said tersely.
'How is Aramis?' Anne's voice cut through the quiet.
'Yes, how is he?' Louis looked slightly abashed at forgetting Aramis was tortured.
Athos took a moment to guard his reply.
'Athos?' this time he heard the worry in the Queen's voice.
'He has some infected cuts and only time will tell whether he will recover,' Athos said looking at the floor trying to control his anger towards Rochefort and his worry for his brother.
A contemplative silence held the room as everyone there knew that infection could be fatal.
'Doctor Lemay is at your disposal,' Louis said quietly as he returned to his throne.
'Thank you, Majesty,' Athos said quietly as he decided not to tell Louis that they had already enlisted Doctor Lemay's help.
'What makes you so sure that the Duke is involved with the Queen's kidnapping and even knew about Aramis' torture?' Rochefort glared at Athos whose cold eyes stared back.
'That is a good point?' Louis looked back to Athos. 'The Duke's man could have been lying to save himself.'
'The man that tortured Aramis was the same man that we exchanged the prisoners with,' Athos kept his voice level.
'You mean the scarred man Renard?' the Queen's eyes were wide and for once Louis comforted her by taking her hand in his.
'The same man,' Athos nodded. 'Aramis also confirmed that the Duke visited him while being tortured and that he was clearly targeted buy the Duke. Renard himself implicated the Duke and admitted that there was a traitor in the Royal Court.'
'There are no traitor's in my Court, Athos,' the King waved away that suggestion. 'But this cannot go unpunished! I will not have my wife or my soldiers hurt!'
Athos stole a look at Rochefort and saw the man's face had hardened and the eye contact told each man what he knew.
The Queen suddenly stood and moved down the steps from her throne, 'Please excuse me,' she said as she rushed from the room and Constance followed her.
'Are you absolutely sure, Athos?' the King questioned. Athos knew that the King didn't want to make accusations against the nobility unless he had to.
'Yes, Sire,' Athos stared straight back. 'The Duke was in possession of Aramis' rather unique crucifix. It told us that Aramis was on his lands and that he knew about it.'
'What happened to the other man, Renard?' Rochefort asked silkily. 'Surely you could have brought him to testify?'
'He drank poison as we rescued Aramis but he was able to make sure that we knew the Duke was involved,' Athos said through gritted teeth as Rochefort relaxed slightly.
'So for all we know, what you have just said was a lie,' Rochefort was growing in confidence as he realised the musketeers had no proof of his involvement. Yet.
'I believe them,' Louis snapped. 'This scarred man. Renard. He links the Duke to my wife's attack and we know that he hurt one of my men! Hopefully Aramis will be able to testify and the Duke will realise he is cornered.'
'Majesty, with your permission we would like to ride at first light to arrest the Duke,' Tréville spoke for the first time.
'Yes, go and arrest him!' Louis waved a hand. 'Take the whole regiment Tréville. Athos, D'Artagnan and Porthos will serve as an effective reminder to the Duke that he can't be beaten by my men and the loyalty that binds them.'
'Forgive me, Your Majesty,' D'Artagnan spoke with a short bow. 'Would it be possible for one of us to stay behind with Aramis?'
'Are any of you physicians?' Louis stood looking rather annoyed at being contradicted.
'No, Sire,' D'Artagnan responded trying to hold back his anger.
'You are soldiers and your place is fighting for me,' Rochefort was smirking now as Louis bristled with annoyance that anyone would want to do something other than what he had commanded. 'Aramis will fine with the physicians and you will show the Duke my wrath. Is that clear?' Louis eyed them, beadily and D'Artagnan thought about retorting but Athos' hand squeezed his shoulder.
'Thank you, Majesty,' Athos bowed as did D'Artagnan and Tréville. 'We will leave at first light,' as the men finally left the room.
They started to walk down the hall to exit the palace all of them bristling with annoyance or rather fury.
'Porthos is not going to like this,' D'Artagnan said as they stopped momentarily near to the Queen's chambers.
'But we must do as we're told,' Tréville warned with a sigh.
'What's happened?' the Queen's voice disturbed them as they bowed her face was slightly red as it looked as though she had been crying. 'Captain?'
'His Majesty has sent us to arrest the Duke tomorrow,' Tréville sighed.
'Isn't that good?' Constance appeared but she could see all the frustrated lines on the men's faces.
'All of us,' D'Artagnan sighed but Constance and Anne still looked confused.
'None of us will be able to stay with Aramis,' Athos finally explained with a voice full of emotion that Anne had never heard before.
'I'll speak to Louis,' Anne said immediately but Tréville stopped her.
'He's made up his mind and we all know there will be no changing it,' he said sadly.
'Constance,' she turned to her friend. 'I'm relieving you of your duties with me. Aramis needs someone he knows with him.' Anne felt gratified in her decision as she saw the wave of relief pass over the musketeers in front her.
'Thank you,' Constance said and before she knew it she had embraced Anne who was willingly hugging her back. 'I'll take good care of him,' she said as they broke apart.
'You better,' D'Artagnan grinned slightly causing Constance to slap him on the arm.
'Get some sleep Constance,' Athos said. 'We leave at first light and won't be back until the day after.'
'I'll be there,' she nodded determinedly.
The musketeers left and their thoughts started to turn to tomorrow but they all knew that their most pressing problem was telling Porthos that he would have to leave Aramis' side.
'WHAT?!' Porthos roared as they told him their predicament in Tréville's office. They had decided to coax Porthos away from Aramis for a few minutes while Doctor Lemay watched the stricken marksman.
Aramis' condition had worsened slightly as his fever had risen but Lemay had unstitched the two big cuts and drained them of the infection. Aramis had been exhausted by the treatment and had promptly fallen asleep minutes afterwards. This was not the best time to leave him alone.
'The King's not serious?' he asked astonished.
'I'm afraid so,' Athos said pinching the bridge of his nose. 'He made a point that we should all go.'
'I tried...,' D'Artagnan started before looking helpless.
'Constance has agreed to stay with him,' Tréville added quietly.
'But what if he gets worse,' Porthos slumped into a chair as his voice cracked. Athos moved over to place his hands on the big man's shoulders.
'You know Aramis,' he said quietly. 'He's a stubborn arse and he fights all the way. He survived Savoy and he will survive this.'
'We need to get the regiment ready for tomorrow,' Tréville pointed out. 'Let's get everything ready so we can leave at first light and surprise the Duke.'
The men nodded and rose from their chairs.
'Once you've done that, I don't suppose there is much point in me telling you to go to your own beds to sleep,' Tréville raised an eyebrow but was met with three looks that told him they were staying with Aramis and that was that.
After collecting everything they would need the three musketeers settled in chairs in the infirmary at Aramis' bedside. They would not leave him until they had to.
A/N: For those of you wondering about Joubert, yes I completely forgot about him, I hope this settles any worry. :)