Hello. Sorry this update is slightly late but I did want to get it out on Sunday. Just.

Due to the fact that I just finished it before I posted there may be a few mistakes so if you spot anything major please let me know. :)

I hope you enjoy it and I will try to get the next chapter out next Sunday. :)

Chapter Forty-Two

'This is a fine mess we're both in,' Rochefort glared at the Duke. 'I told you to run!'

'I didn't realise there were going to be so many musketeers!' the Duke shouted forcibly back.

'When I told you to run you should have!' Rochefort responded menacingly closing the gap between the men and forcing the Duke to stumble backwards. 'I told you they were coming.'

'I didn't know that they had rescued Aramis,' the Duke growled. 'I trusted that Renard had it in hand!'

'You were careless,' Rochefort's voice was low and menacing. 'You tried to play with Aramis when you should have disposed of him. How the hell did his friends find him?!'

'That I don't know,' the Duke said pompously. 'I wanted Aramis to suffer and so did Renard. We didn't expect them to arrive so soon.'

'You're trying to blame me?!' Rochefort spat.

'We were under the impression that we had more time,' the Duke glared back. 'Anyway, I doubt he will survive his injuries although his mind wasn't quite as broken as I'd hoped.'

'Aramis lives and it looks as though he will recover,' Rochefort watched as the Duke turned towards him looking rather shocked.

'But...his injuries?' he stammered.

'I tried to finish him myself but I couldn't be caught and had to leave him. The doctor hadn't expected him to survive the night but it appears that Aramis has an infinite number of lives,' Rochefort turned away looking annoyed.

'He lives!' the Duke roared. 'HE HAS TO DIE!'

'NOW HE IS SURROUNDED BY HIS FRIENDS!' Rochefort bellowed back. 'NO-ONE WILL BE ABLE TO GET NEAR HIM!'

'He can testify,' the Duke was hit with the realisation like a stunning blow. He may have not been able to deny that Aramis was found on his lands but he could have denied all knowledge of Renard with the scarred man unable to contradict him. With Aramis alive would the King believe a musketeer over a Duke?

'He is still too unwell,' Rochefort growled. 'That gives us time.'

'I can bring down the Musketeers,' the Duke stated as he stood. 'They covered up an attempt by Marie de Medici to take power in the place of her grandson. The child Aramis threw into the river. His Majesty won't be happy about that,' he said triumphantly.'

'And you think you can do a deal that will spare your wretched life?' Rochefort spat back.

'Careful Rochefort, you forget that I know who the traitor in court is,' the Duke looked triumphant at his supposed power over the Comte. The smile faded as Rochefort stood close but the Duke refused to give up his ground. He could betray Rochefort easily and the Comte knew it.

'Do you think you will come out on top when you challenge me?' Rochefort asked with a strange politeness that the Duke wasn't expecting.

'We're in this together Rochefort,' the Duke stated confidently. 'I go down...you go down.'

'Really?' Rochefort sneered.

'You're plan didn't work out but it was your idea to kidnap the Queen,' the Duke basked in the glory of his words as Rochefort swallowed thickly. 'I wonder how she would feel towards you when she finds out the truth.'

Rochefort watched the smirking Duke and felt anger rise within him. In a flash the smile on the Duke's face fell as Rochefort plunged the knife he had hidden up his sleeve into the Duke's chest vertically and then swiftly turned it horizontally. The turning of the knife expertly severed both lungs making the Duke gasp, rather quietly, for the air that he could no longer breath. Rochefort had learnt this method of execution under Vargas. It was quick and caused the victim to suffocate as the lungs could no longer expand. It was also a silent execution that meant no alarm could be raised. Not that noise was really a problem as no-one had come to investigate the shouting earlier. The guards were most likely drunk or asleep.

Rochefort guided the stricken Duke to the bed and laid him flat. 'It won't be long now,' he said to the gasping Duke whose fear at his imminent death was clear. The Duke continued to gasp but fell silent within a minute and finally his heart stopped.

Rochefort lay the man's hands over his chest and closed the Duke's eyes. One problem sorted.

'I couldn't take the risk of your betrayal,' Rochefort said quietly to the corpse. 'I will find my own way to deal with those meddlesome musketeers.' Rochefort took once last glance and left the cell. He moved back to the passageway, only having to hide himself once because of the guards, and left the Bastille unobserved.

Morning broke and the sun made its way through the windows of the infirmary. Aramis lay for a moment with his eyes closed trying to remember what had happened the night before. His hand brushed the crucifix on his chest as his memory jolted back to him. His brothers were back.

He opened his eyes slowly and a smile passed over his face as he saw the sight before him. D'Artagnan was asleep with his head on the bed with his hand still touching Aramis' knee. Athos was beside him was in a similar position with his hand on Aramis' right forearm. Aramis turned to see Porthos asleep on his own arms snoring quietly with his hand on Aramis' chest. Aramis was trapped and he knew it. All three were sleeping soundly and the last thing Aramis wanted to do was wake them up. He also felt the warmth that his brothers brought him when they were close. Although asleep, they would stop anyone from hurting him, providing the fact they could move when they woke as their backs would surely be sore. Aramis gave a small chuckle which meant that all three of them gripped him more tightly in their sleep. He would have to tease them about this but only when he was recovered.

The door to the infirmary opened and Constance came in carrying a pot. She saw Aramis and immediately smiled as she placed the pot down on one of the tables. The other three musketeers stirred slightly but did not wake.

'I think you're a bit trapped,' Constance whispered as she came over.

'How kind of you to notice,' Aramis managed a rather Athos-like drawl making Constance giggle slightly.

She placed a hand on his forehead to check his temperature, 'Feeling better?' she asked smiling.

'Much,' he replied.

'Good,' she gave him a kiss on the cheek. 'I'll see if they wake up when they smell the broth.'

A throat cleared quietly behind them as D'Artagnan watched them with a rather amused look. 'How am I supposed to respond to this?' he asked rather airily.

'By making yourself useful. Go and get the rest of the breakfast from the kitchen,' Constance replied rather bossily leading D'Artagnan to look at Aramis who just raised his eyebrows in amusement.

'Alright,' he huffed as he moved across and gave her kiss on the cheek making her blush slightly as he left the room.

A groan sounded as Porthos raised his head and cricked his back before finally looking at Aramis and finding that he was awake. He smiled broadly as Aramis stared back with a smile.

'You always wake up with the smell of food,' came the slightly muffled voice of Athos who still had his head pushed into the bed.

'I like eatin'. Where's D'Artagnan?'

'Getting more food,' Constance chorused lightly. The musketeers exchanged glances but said nothing as Athos finally lifted his head with a grimace.

D'Artagnan was soon back and they started eat. Constance didn't try and feed Aramis this time as he resolutely ate by himself. Constance did observe both Athos and Porthos watching the marksman out of the corner of their eyes, ready to help if necessary.

They ate quietly while the others filled Aramis in on the small details from the Duke's capture. Most of them making Aramis smile and wishing he'd been there himself. Aramis only hoped that the Duke would be served the justice he deserved.

Tréville was sat in his office as he sat holding his head in his hands with his elbows resting on his desk. He hadn't slept and was worried about the accusations the Duke may throw at the Musketeers. Louis wasn't particularly enamoured with his regiment right now and Rochefort would use everything he could against them.

Aramis wouldn't be able to testify for a while and Louis would want Aramis' version of events. The truth was going to come out and above all Tréville knew he had to protect his men, even if it meant falling on his own sword.

The links between the Queen's capture and Aramis all depended on the scarred man, Renard. The man had been at both scenes and while the Duke could not deny that Renard was on his lands he could deny that he knew him. Aramis would testify that the Duke had been present when he was tortured and Louis would hopefully believe him. The more serious charge of kidnapping the Queen was only linked with the dead man and the musketeers' word that Renard had been there.

But Rochefort was able to testify that Renard had been at the Queen's kidnapping and could help in linking the two events.

Tréville moved across to the door and searched the courtyard. 'Gabriel, Vasselin,' he called as the weary musketeers made their way up to his office.

'Captain,' Vasselin said as they took they place in front of Tréville's desk.

'Here are the coordinates that Athos gave me for where Aramis was kept,' Tréville said calmly. He refrained from saying tortured. 'I need you to take a cart and bring back the body of the scarred man Renard.'

'Where is the body?' Gabriel asked looking determined.

'Athos told me the body is in the cellar,' Tréville replied. 'To link Aramis' capture and the Queen's capture we need the common factor.'

'I remember him,' Gabriel's jaw had tightened as he remembered the man.

'I know this is not a pleasant task but even Rochefort will be able to confirm Renard as being the man who captured the Queen. I'm hoping that by linking the Duke and Renard we can get justice,' Tréville looked solemn and the musketeers knew their captain would not ask this unless it was necessary.

'Yes, Captain,' Vasselin nodded as did Gabriel.

'Make sure you have everything you need,' Tréville waved a hand to dismiss them as Tréville pondered his next move. A move that would not be popular, he was sure of that.

'Right,' Porthos had finally finished munching. 'Let's get it set up,' he said to D'Artagnan and Athos who left the infirmary while Aramis gave Porthos a quizzical look.

'What?' Aramis looked at Porthos who just grinned. Aramis rolled his eyes as he ran his fingers through his hair and grimaced at the feel.

Constance entered and gave Porthos a knowing look and Aramis huffed. 'What's going on?'

'I'm off to the palace to see Her Majesty,' Constance said lightly and this time it was Aramis and Constance exchanging knowing looks. 'And you...are getting a bath,' she said as she took a lock of his limp hair her in her fingers.

'Yes, I know I stink,' Aramis muttered looking rather downcast.

'Cheer up,' she smiled. 'I'd rather have you alive and smelly than dead and smelly.'

'Well, soon he won't be smelly,' Porthos chimed.

'Alright!' Aramis was smiling now.

'Bye,' Constance smiled as she left as Aramis pouted slightly.

'You know we're only messin'? Porthos looked slightly worried as he sat on the bed. Aramis did his best not to look at his friend but Porthos could see the amusement. They often teased each other about smelling bad when they'd been injured or ill. It meant that they thought the patient was recovering well enough for the jibes. Aramis secretly appreciated it.

The door opened and Tréville stalked in.

'Where are the others?' he asked as Porthos and Aramis saw the clear agitation on their captain's face.

'Gettin' a bath tub,' Porthos replied.

'I stink,' Aramis added causing Porthos to smile and Tréville's stern demeanour to fall into a smile.

Just then they heard clanging and some swearing indicating that the bath tub had arrived. Tréville opened to the door to see a rather irritated Athos and D'Artagnan who swiftly moved the tub near to the fire.

'I need to speak to you all,' Tréville said with authority. This was serious and the musketeers knew it.

'This is about the Duke, isn't it?' D'Artagnan asked.

'Yes. He intends to reveal what happened when Marie de Medici tried to take power,' Tréville sighed. 'He intends to destroy us.'

'We lied to the King,' Athos stated. 'Louis won't take that well.'

'Nor will he take it well that his nephew died after someone threw him into a river,' Tréville looked directly at Aramis who looked rather resigned.

'But he didn't!' Porthos roared and stood. Aramis placed a hand on his friends arm to calm him.

'We can't tell the truth that that child is alive,' Aramis said quietly. 'The Duke will make it clear that he believes I killed the child on purpose rather than by accident.'

'Making it murder,' Athos growled.

'The Cardinal would have killed the child anyway!' D'Artagnan exclaimed looking worriedly at Aramis.

'The Cardinal is no longer here to answer for his actions,' Tréville said quietly.

'No,' Athos stood. 'You can't.'

'I must Athos and you understand that,' Tréville said solemnly. 'I will take full responsibility for everything. You were acting on my orders.'

'No,' Aramis said resolutely. 'You can't take the blame for this. I was the one who tried to sneak Agnes and Henry out. I made that decision.'

'Stubborn fool,' Tréville sighed. He hated what he was about to do. 'If you hold me in the respect that you have always said you have then you will allow me to take the fall.'

'No,' Aramis stared back as the others nodded. They wouldn't let Tréville take the fall for their actions.

'Aramis,' Tréville growled. 'Do you want to die for this? Do you want them,' he indicated the others, 'to die for this? This regiment needs the four of you. I am on my way out anyway but the four of you would leave this regiment vulnerable without you? Is that what you want?!'

The musketeers shared hopeless glances. Though the regiment wouldn't be same without Tréville they were also aware of how respected they were. Athos, Porthos and Aramis were well known to be an inspiration among the men and D'Artagnan was also starting to be widely respected due to his affiliation with the other three.

'That is a low blow,' Athos stood stock still and Tréville felt the force of the swordsman's glare.

'Better me...than all of you,' Tréville's voice cracked slightly. 'This is an order and I expect you to respect it. I ordered you to hide the boy and the truth of the tussle was that the boy perished in the river but it was an accident. The four of you are needed here and my time is coming to an end.'

'But-,' Porthos started.

'That is my final word on the matter,' Tréville stalked over to the door and walked through it without a backward glance leaving the Inseparables feeling stunned and rather guilty.

Once outside Tréville moved into the courtyard and took some deep breaths. He hated what he had done to the Inseparables but he also knew that the regiment would fall apart without all of them. He had spent much of his time keeping those four out of prison for stupid duels and the like. He had always worried when he sent them off on missions and felt relieved when they had returned. It was the same for all of the men but more so for those three, now four, in particular. They were his favourites and he knew it.

A messenger arrived and handed him a letter. He was to report to the King at once. Tréville wondered if the Duke had blabbed already but surely the Duke hadn't seen the King yet.

'Jacques,' he called. 'Saddle my horse please,' Jacques nodded and did as he was bid. Tréville wondered whether he would return to the garrison at all.

Rochefort had received the message from King Louis telling him that the meeting was urgent. He smiled to himself as he realised that the Duke must have been found dead in his cell this morning. He took his time and made the King wait. Surely Tréville would have been summoned as well.

Rochefort slowly made his way to the King's chambers as he put the final pieces of what he would say clearly in his mind. He knocked and entered when he heard Louis' snappy voice.

'Rochefort!' Louis declared. 'This is a disaster!'

'Louis, please calm down,' Anne's voice was stern yet soft. Something Rochefort rather loved about her.

'What has happened?' Rochefort forced a concerned voice as Louis thrust a letter into his hands. 'The Duke has been murdered in the Bastille!' Rochefort did his best to look shocked by the news. He was getting good at that now.

'Somebody killed him,' Louis flounced.

'Somebody was afraid of what he may have said,' Rochefort responded. 'It seems that the Duke may have had a few secrets to reveal.'

A knock at the door distracted everybody as Louis called, 'Enter,' and Tréville strode in and bowed. Before Tréville could ask what was going on the King snatched the letter from Rochefort and thrust the letter into Tréville's hands and the former captain quickly read it.

His first reaction was relief as the musketeers were safe. Well, at least from the Duke. His second thought was shock and his third was realisation that Rochefort had disposed of the only man who could expose him as a traitor.

'When did this happen?' Tréville schooled his features.

'I received the news this morning,' Louis flounced as he sat on his bed. 'I should have seen him last night.'

'No-one could have foreseen this, Majesty,' Rochefort said silkily.

'Rochefort is right,' Anne agreed making Rochefort smile internally. 'I believe that the Duke was involved, for whatever reason, with the attack on myself and Captain Tréville. I also trust that Athos did not lie when he said that he thought the Duke responsible for Aramis' capture and hopefully Aramis will be able to confirm that.'

'Do you believe the Duke to be guilty?' Louis asked Tréville.

'He confessed to me, Majesty,' Tréville replied daring to hope that this could all be forgotten. 'It would have been better if he had confessed to you.'

'Hmmf,' Louis huffed as he lay down.

'I wonder...,' Rochefort started his eyes gleaming wickedly.

'What?' Louis snapped.

'It's just that...there are...those who would love to see the Duke dead,' Rochefort glanced at Tréville who tensed.

'Who do you mean?' Anne asked wide-eyed.

'Certain musketeers...'

A/N: I'm not sure how many chapters are left in this but we are getting near to the end. I've added another small storyline (very small really) and if something doesn't make sense or fit please let me know. (I.e. gaping holes that need to be filled.)

Somehow, I suspect that none of you were surprised by the Duke's fate. :)