Ok. Rochefort returns and he has some clearing up to do. Bit of a filler chapter this one but it was necessary. Some slightly bigger parts for my supporting cast.

Please don't kill me for how I've left the end of the chapter! Enjoy. :)

Chapter Forty

Rochefort woke after a satisfying night. He hadn't managed to take care of Aramis himself but the news that the musketeer wasn't going to last the night had been welcome. Aramis had looked at death's door when he had seen him so it was unlikely that he would have somehow survived. In the unlikely event that he did, he would not be able to testify along with the Duke, at least not straight away.

Rochefort now needed to silence the Duke before he could tell Louis about the traitor at court. He hoped that the Duke had fled when he had received the letter but Rochefort was growing uneasy. The King should be easy enough to manipulate as long as Rochefort flattered him and pressed the right buttons. He was getting good at that.

The musketeers had travelled much of the morning with little incident. The Duke had kept his mouth shut which suited them all just fine. Tréville was wondering when he should broach the subject of the Duke's intentions to destroy the Musketeer regiment and take the Inseparables down with him. He decided to keep quiet for now as he would take the lead when they were presented before Louis and they wouldn't contradict him in front of the King.

'How long until I can get off this horse?!' the Duke moaned loudly as Tréville rolled his eyes.

'Soon,' he said testily. 'We'll stop for lunch when we spot a good area.'

'Hmph,' came the response as Porthos then kicked Flip lightly and steered him sharply to the left so the Duke had to hang on. 'What was that for?'

'Just missin' the massive hole. Not good for the horses,' Porthos grinned as the Duke scowled.

'That looks like a good spot,' Athos pointed towards a spot that had previously been used as a campsite.

As they approached, the remnants of a fire could be seen and the musketeers quickly dismounted and scouted the area. There was a copse of trees nearby but it was thoroughly searched and then the men settled on the ground to eat their lunch, much to the Duke's disgust.

He was given some cheese and bread along with an apple. The look Athos gave him made it clear that it was all the food he was going to get so he started to chew.

He watched as Athos and Porthos finished their food quickly and went to talk to Tréville leaving the Duke alone with D'Artagnan.

'What's the plan?' Athos asked as he approached Tréville.

'I'm going to send Gabriel and Vasselin ahead of us,' Tréville answered. 'They can make Louis aware that we have been successful in apprehending the Duke.'

'Why not us?' Athos asked with a little desperation.

'Because I need you three around the Duke. The last thing we want is him realising how worried we truly are about Aramis,' Tréville said with sympathy in his voice. 'We don't want to give him any confidence or any thought that he has an advantage. Sending you three would send the wrong message to the Duke.'

'Hopefully, Louis will see us straight away as it's going to be a late arrival,' Porthos said changing the subject while voicing the knowledge that the King could be fickle when time was involved.

'I know,' Tréville sighed. 'At least with forewarning he should be ready.'

'Gabriel. Vasselin,' Tréville called and the musketeers moved towards him immediately.

'You two get ready now, ride ahead and go directly to the palace announcing that we are transporting the Duke and will be back later tonight,' he instructed.

'Yes, Captain,' they chorused.

'Make it clear that it is urgent and don't take no for an answer. You wait as long as you have to and make sure your presence is felt. Do not be put off by Rochefort. You must see the King yourselves,' Tréville insisted.

'Yes, Captain,' they nodded as they moved to quickly pack their things and ride off as soon as possible.

'Rochefort will do everything he can to stop the Duke from seeing the King,' Athos said quietly. 'He will want to threaten him first.'

'Of course, but Rochefort knows how to manipulate Louis and I have a feeling he will find a way,' Tréville responded.

'An' there's nothing we can do about it,' Porthos shook his head despondently.

They glanced towards the Duke who still had D'Artagnan nearby and started to pack up, ready to depart as soon as possible.

The Duke watched as Athos and Porthos left and he was left alone with the young one. D'Artagnan.

'You're newer to the Musketeers,' the Duke raised an eyebrow.

'Yes,' D'Artagnan responded tersely eager to avoid any conversation with the Duke. He was feeling slightly vulnerable under the Duke's gaze without Athos and Porthos nearby.

'Can't have known Aramis long then?' the Duke continued. 'Did you know about the baby that he threw in the river?'

'I was there,' D'Artagnan growled. 'He was knocked from his horse and the baby fell into the river. He did not do it on purpose.' D'Artagnan was doing his best not to reveal that baby Henry had actually survived. He knew this was a dangerous conversation and wanted it to stop.

'So you're as culpable as they are,' the Duke nodded towards Athos, Porthos and Tréville. 'Enjoy your time as a musketeer, it may not last much longer. I'm half hoping Aramis survived...just to be executed alongside his lying friends. Of course, he could already be dead,' the Duke sneered as D'Artagnan felt the anger rise within him but he also knew that the Duke was correct. Louis would not be very happy to learn that the Musketeers had lied to him about his mother.

'Well, that remains to be seen,' D'Artagnan put on his best mask trying not to show his emotions. 'Aramis is stronger than you think and the King has never truly enjoyed his mother's company. What is certain, is that you will meet your death at the hands of the executioner.' D'Artagnan relished seeing the Duke's expression fall for a moment but he hoped his worry wasn't showing as it appeared that they were all in danger.

'Time to go,' Porthos voice startled the men and they were soon packed up and on their way to Paris once more.

Gabriel and Vasselin pushed their horses forward and were soon in sight of Paris. They knew the others were some way behind them and although they had been in the presence of the King before, neither were truly comfortable in addressing him. Tréville and the Inseparables usually dealt with that. They were also aware that they would need all their courage as Rochefort would use any chance he could to sneer at them and that they would need confident answers.

They were soon at the palace gates and dismounted telling the guards that they needed to see the King.

Both men were nervous but they had decided between them that Gabriel would take the lead.

'Gentlemen,' Rochefort's voice startled them slightly. 'What is it that you wish to convey to the King?' Rochefort knew now that it was highly likely that the Duke had been captured. Musketeers wouldn't be sent ahead for any other reason except maybe if the majority of men had been injured.

'We have been instructed to speak to the King himself,' Gabriel's voice did not quiver as he spoke.

'I can pass on any message,' Rochefort replied silkily.

'We will wait until His Majesty is able to see us,' Gabriel stood his ground making Rochefort grimace internally.

'It is regarding the Duke?'

'Yes, but I shall reveal no more,' Gabriel really didn't like the way Rochefort was looking at him.

'Very well,' Rochefort slunk away leaving the musketeers to stand in place and sigh in relief.

A few minutes later the King appeared with Rochefort in tow and the musketeers bowed.

'Tell me,' Louis waved his hand nonchalantly.

'Should we not wait for Her Majesty?' Rochefort dared to interrupt as he had noticed that Queen Anne hadn't been around for most of the day.

'No,' Louis sighed. 'She has been struggling to sleep after everything that has happened. I was informed that she had a rather restless night.'

'That is unfortunate,' Rochefort replied feeling guilty about the reasons for the Queen's troubled sleep. He was still disappointed that she hadn't come to him though. He had thought she would have by now.

'Indeed,' Louis looked solemn. 'Carry on,' he waved to Gabriel.

'Sire, the Duke of Épernon was successfully apprehended last night. He is being escorted to Paris as we speak and his arrival will be later on tonight,' Gabriel said with more confidence than he felt.

'Good,' Louis nodded. 'I wish to ask him exactly why he would put my wife, my Queen, in danger like that. Not to mention torture one of my musketeers.' Gabriel and Vasselin were happy to hear that Louis still regarded his musketeers highly.

'Is that all?' Rochefort asked pointedly.

'Yes,' Gabriel replied stiffly.

'Go and rest,' Louis dismissed them with a wave of his hand as Gabriel and Vasselin bowed and left.

Louis walked towards his chambers with Rochefort following slightly behind.

'At least I will find out the truth,' Louis huffed as he sat down in his chambers.

'Indeed, Sire,' Rochefort agreed while trying to stop the panic rising within him. The Duke had been foolish enough to get caught and now Rochefort knew he had to something about it. Urgently. 'Perhaps it would be best for the Duke to spend the night in the Bastille?'

'What makes you say that?' Louis sounded rather angry and Rochefort knew he would need all of his skills to change the King's mind.

'I was merely thinking that the arrival would disrupt your evening. If the Duke was placed in the Bastille, he would still be able to face you in the morning and Her Majesty may also be feeling up to seeing him as well,' Rochefort used his best submissive tone while making his point. This worked rather well on Louis giving the King the impression he was in control and yet Rochefort could make his point heard.

'I suppose...' Louis still didn't look entirely convinced.

'Surely everyone will be far more refreshed in the morning so that this issue can be dealt with as civilly as possible. Tempers may fray quickly otherwise,' Rochefort watched as Louis considered.

'I suppose the musketeers and the Duke will be tired and their tempers may fray. I'm also feeling a little fatigued and Anne could do with being there as well. Hmmm,' Louis thought some more but Rochefort could see that he was likely to get his way.

'I could send the Red Guard to intercept their arrival and escort the Duke to the Bastille, while Tréville, Athos, Porthos and D'Artagnan report to you,' Rochefort prodded hoping that he hadn't overstepped his duties.

'That is a good idea Rochefort,' Louis announced to Rochefort's relief. 'I do wish to see Tréville but the Duke may cause more anger than I wish to feel tonight. Arrange it,' Louis waved his hand in dismissal.

'Yes, Sire,' Rochefort bowed and tried to hide his grin. The King really was easy to manipulate. 'I'll see to it at once.'

Aramis had been resting quietly for a few hours so Constance decided to have a quick nap. Most of the regiment was away and right now she couldn't care less if she was found asleep in the infirmary. She slept for a couple of hours and woke and stretched and heard a small snicker to her left.

Aramis was awake and had somehow gotten himself upright. The sweat on his brow told her it had been quite an effort but it appeared that he had succeeded.

'You don't understand what rest means, do you?' she quirked a very Athos-like eyebrow as she swung her legs out of bed.

'I'm good at preaching it...but doing it...not so much,' he confessed with a smile.

Constance quickly put on her boots and took a cloth and wiped his brow. She didn't immediately notice to change in Aramis' expression.

'I'll go and see if there is any broth for you,' she quietly. 'What's wrong?' she asked as she took the chair next to his bed, sensing that he needed to speak.

'I don't deserve your help,' he mumbled so Constance could only just hear.

'What are you on about?' Constance shook her head disbelievingly.

'I've caused you so many problems. Why would you want to help me?' Aramis looked very dejected as Constance creased her brow in confusion.

'Explain,' she said as she sat back her chair.

'I've brought you so many problems. I brought Marsac to your house and he attacked you and he was a deserter. Not to mention he tried to assassinate the Duke of Savoy. I involved you with baby Henry which could have put you in a lot of danger. And now you harbour my secret that could have you executed for treason,' he sighed despondently and dared not to look at Constance.

'Is that all?' she quirked a smile but Aramis didn't return it. 'Alright then. D'Artagnan came charging into my life after he was accused of murder and ran into me at the market. Subsequently got me to dress up as a prostitute to distract the guards. Although, I did rather do that to help Athos. Let's see, D'Artagnan also lied to me to hide Marsac and then both of you got me to go inside that dump to find baby Henry. Oh, and Athos' crazy wife tried to killed me. Her Majesty took me into Emilie's camp and thankfully you were there to help us. And well yes, the secret is your fault but other than that you're hardly to blame for everything. Oh, and D'Artagnan was the reason I met you all so really the whole thing is his fault.'

Aramis finally cracked a smile. 'It seems that Porthos is the only one not to put you in danger,' Aramis still looked rather down but he was smiling.

'Oh, something will. Give it time,' she sighed. 'Aramis, I don't blame you or resent you for anything that has happened. Honestly.'

'But still-'

'But still nothing,' Constance took his hand and squeezed reassuringly. 'I wouldn't change anything. But maybe I should be asking for your forgiveness.'

'Mine? Why?' he asked confused.

'For thinking the worst of you,' she smiled ruefully. 'I can see that you love her.'

'You thought that I was just toying with Her Majesty?' he asked earnestly as Constance moved to sit on the bed so she was face to face with him.

'It did cross my mind,' she confessed. 'I see a lot of women at the palace who are rather taken with you,' her voice held a hint of amusement while she saw Aramis blush slightly. 'Your reputation is well known, but I know you better than that.'

'I have a reputation for a reason Constance,' he said quietly.

'Perhaps,' she waited for him to make eye-contact. 'But I rather think that it is exaggerated somewhat. I see how you look at her and how she looks at you.'

'It's impossible, I know,' he sighed. 'I always seem to want what I cannot have...but this time it's different.'

'Don't we all,' she sighed and it was Aramis who squeezed her hand in comfort.

'There is still a chance for you and D'Artagnan,' he said with belief in his eyes.

'How? I can't leave my husband as then I will be alone and without any security,' she said bitterly

'I know how hard it is for women. That they must rely upon husbands,' he sympathised. 'I still believe that you two are meant to be together.'

'Maybe,' Constance said dejectedly.

'If it makes you feel any better, there is more chance of you and D'Artagnan being together than I ever have of being anywhere near Anne.'

'That doesn't make me feel better,' Constance couldn't help but give a small smile at the ludicrous situations that they both found themselves in.

'I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you,' Aramis said honestly.

'You're apologising for something I would never change,' Constance leant forward and gently wrapped her arms around him. 'If I didn't spend time worrying about your four, I don't what I'd do with my spare time!' Aramis chuckled as held her to his chest.

'Thank you, for everything,' he said quietly. 'Even when you're being bossy and slapping me,' he added.

Constance pulled back, stood and put her hands on her hips. 'I am not bossy!'

'You are,' he grinned. 'And you do slap me.'

'Funny that it is only you who I feel the need to slap,' she retorted but she was clearly amused. 'Stay put while I go and find some broth for you.'

'I thought you said you weren't bossy,' Aramis quipped.

'If making sure that you don't cause yourself further injury is bossy, then I am guilty. So stay put,' she gave him an amusingly threatening look and left making Aramis chuckle quietly to himself.

The musketeers continued their journey as the light started to fade. Paris was close now and they were eager to deliver their prisoner. Soon they made their way through the city gates and found a squad of red guards in front of them.

'What is it?' Tréville asked as he was tired and wanted this day to end. He was also desperate to find out Aramis' fate.

'The King has commanded that the prisoner should be taken directly to the Bastille and will face His Majesty tomorrow morning,' the guard said confidently.

Tréville's heart sank. Rochefort must have influenced the King and no doubt the Duke would be told to keep quiet by the traitor.

'Alright,' he sighed. 'Take the Duke to the Bastille,' he waved to the musketeers.

'The King wishes to see you,' the guard looked down at a piece of paper, 'Athos, Porthos and D'Artagnan immediately.'

Tréville sighed. 'Ok.'

'The Red Guard can transfer the Duke-'

'No,' Tréville said sharply. 'You may aid the Musketeers but you will not replace them.' The other musketeers nodded as the reins of the Duke's horse were transferred to another musketeer, leaving Porthos free to ride to the palace.

'Let's go,' Tréville said dejectedly to the Inseparables.

They arrived at the palace hoping that Louis would see them quickly. All of them were desperate for news on Aramis and now that the Duke wasn't to see the King, they were even more eager.

Thankfully, Louis didn't keep them waiting long but he was accompanied by Rochefort and the men had to control their emotions.

'So, the Duke is in the Bastille?' Louis asked as the men stood up straight after they had bowed.

'There are musketeers and red guards transferring him now,' Tréville stated as he watched Rochefort who didn't flicker.

'Good. I will see him in the morning. I suggest you all get some rest,' Louis said importantly.

'Sire,' Treville started and Louis nodded to indicate that he should continue. 'Has there been any word on Aramis?'

The musketeers held their breath and their hearts sank as Louis exchanged an awkward glance with Rochefort.

'I'm afraid that when I went to visit him last night, Doctor Jardin was not hopeful that Aramis would make it through the night,' Rochefort did his best to sound empathetic but the musketeers could hear the falseness in his voice.

'I thought Doctor Lemay was treatin' him?' Porthos questioned without thinking.

'He was, but an emergency came up at the palace,' Rochefort answered. 'Aramis was clearly unwell with a high fever which was why the doctor didn't expect him to last the night. I haven't heard any word to the contrary.'

The musketeers felt dread fill their hearts. It seemed that their worst fears had been realised. Aramis had been taken from them.

A/N: Actually, I don't apologise for the end. :P