Evening My Lovelies :)

Well we've finally reached the point where our boys might actually get out of their hell hole. Are you all excited :D

I'm not too sure what you all might make of this chapter as I've re-written different parts of it several times tonight so apologize if it's a bit disjointed or the like.

I'm also currently harboring a not-so-secret hope that by this time tomorrow I'll have reached 200 reviews... Come on people, you know you love me :D (Yeah I'm begging)

Notes On Reviews:

fariedragon: Thanks for the review - Unfortunately I wasn't happy with how it was yesterday to upload two chapters then... plus I LOVE leaving you all hanging :D Hopefully the wait wasnt too long for you! Enjoy the new chapter! x

ploiuiu: Thanks for the review - Yep the Captain's here :D Tristan basically told him all of what they had told the musketeers when they arrived at their tavern. So he knows as much as they did at the beginning. Unfortunately I'm thoroughly enjoying leaving you all hanging with regards to D'Artagnan so there's no info today either :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Deana: Thanks for the review - I did warn Aramis would be suffering... though I'm sure he would appreciate the concern :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

A reader (Guest): Thanks for the review - As always your review made me smile :) I'm soooo happy you've been enjoying the story so far. We've got a chapter or two before we get fully into the comfort moments. I'm quite happy we have a rescue now as well... but that might be because I know what's coming next :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - Haha loving you have a hate-o-meter :D It'll probably go down a bit in the next few chapters as he doesn't show up as much. Glad you're liking it so far. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I had so much fun writing Aramis's sarcastic comments so I'm super glad you liked them :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - :D Glad you're liking it so far. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - I know have the image of a fruit bat, covered in chains, attacking Aramis... it's quite an amusing image :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

romirola: Thanks for the review - Thats fine I'm just glad you're enjoying it so far :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - Your review made me smile :D Loved the start of it :) A rescue is now happening. Whilst there are some cute comfort moments coming I may also have some more whumpage moments planned in the future :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Guest: Thanks for the review - Ooooooh interesting idea, We'll see :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

wiggleworm (Guest): Thanks for the review - Okay first off I love the screen name :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Helensg: Thanks for the review - Don't worry I have quite a few plans for the story so it wont stop after the rescues finished :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - The rescues gonna take a couple of chapters but worry not our boys will be free :) Aramis's leg is going to cause him problems in this chapter. I think Aramis had an almost 'fuck-it' attitude to the situation at the beginning. I'm not going to say much about D'Art but all I will say is you're right to be worried :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always many thanks to everyone who follows/favourites/reviews/reads this story I love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Twenty: Rescue I

The ride to Lupiac had been too long in Treville's eyes. He had rounded a small group of the best men he had at hand as soon as he had finished talking to Tristan… The things the man had told him had made him sick to his stomach, how did he not know something like this was going on in a village so close to the one he grew up in?

Thankfully the men he had chosen were quick to pick up on their Captain's irritation and so were packed and mounted up with exceptional speed.

The group had ridden hard and fast for as long as they had the light, only stopping when it became too dark to ride. It was at this point that Treville took the time to fill his men in to what sort of situation they were riding in to.

Like him all of the men gathered were sickened at some of the stories of Ortiz's cruelty and they could only imagine what state their brethren would be in when they arrived.

The hard and fast riding pace continued for several days until they reached Gascony. When they had reached the region, each man was sore and uncomfortable but none would voice it when their missing brothers' were in a much worse condition.

Treville had stated that he wanted their entrance both into Lupiac and Ortiz's mansion to be as silent as possible – not wanting to give the man a chance to run or to kill their brothers just before they reached them. As such they were going to take no chances with the local villagers, they were to be silenced but preferably not killed.

When they drew close to the village Treville had directed the group into the dense forest that surrounded the village. Once they had found a suitable clearing he and most of the men moved to return to the village, though this time on foot, knowing that horses would attract too much attention. Treville left two of the men with the most medic training behind, knowing from experience that his missing men were most likely injured in some way.

He left the pair with specific instructions to prepare as much as possible to receive at least four injured men, he was taking no chances with his men's lives. From what he had heard about Ortiz he was fearing the worst but fighting within himself to keep hope alive. The men had set to work prepping their supplies before Treville's group had even left.

It was dark by the time they entered the village again, the darkness aiding the musketeers as it not only kept their movements largely hidden but it also meant that a great deal of the villagers were safely in their homes and so weren't about to report their movements to Ortiz.

It wasn't hard for the small group to find Ortiz's mansion – it being the largest and easily the most ostentatious building in the entire village… Because of this though, it was also the most isolated.

Not willing to risk any more of his men to the lunatic who lived in the building Treville refused to split up his group and all of them stealthily entered the house together.

Treville had ordered his men not to fire a shot unless absolutely necessary, the last thing they wanted now they had actually gotten into the house undetected was to ruin it all by boldly announcing their presence with a hail of gunfire… Despite the desire he felt to put a bullet through the skulls of every single man who had played a part in the capture, detainment and possible torture of his men.

As such they slowly made their way from room to room, silently taking out as many guards as they could as they moved. Treville had little care over whether guards and hired thugs survived their rescue. All he did want was his men free and the leader, Ortiz, in chains.

They had been in the house for around thirty minutes and had successfully cleared most of the ground floor rooms when they heard it… an agonized scream… One they recognized and one that both froze them in fear and ignited an inferno of rage within them.

"Sir" one of the men, Etienne, whispered hesitantly, "That was…"

"I know" interrupted Captain Treville, a pained look on his face as the voice continued to scream for several long seconds. "It sounds like it's coming from below us so they must be in the basement. Fan out and find the entrance" he ordered, quickly shaking off the fear that had frozen him at the sound of his soldier's scream.

They quickly found the entrance to the basement and entered with the guard up. Here would be were they would most likely encounter stronger resistance, Ortiz would undoubtedly have many more men guarding the captured musketeers… Not that numbers worried the group, ever since they heard Aramis scream it had ignited the protective nature within each of them that the regiment was well known for… Musketeers' don't take kindly to the capture of their brothers… They especially don't take kindly to the torture of said captured brothers. Each and every man in Treville's group was now ready to fight like men possessed if it got their brothers out of Ortiz's grip.

Which was a good thing as, as soon as they reached the first large room in the basement they were set upon by several guards seemingly on break.

Thankfully the guards didn't see the point of calling for help and alerting others to the intruders, either because they were too cocky about their own skills or because they were simply that stupid, Treville didn't know and nor did he care.

"Go Captain!" called Etienne as he worked to parry a blow from one of the guards, "We can take care of this. Go find Aramis and the others!"

Normally Treville would berate the man for ordering him around when he was the Captain but he heard the worried, pleading tone to the soldier's voice and so quickly called a few of the men to him before heading to the door.

"Keep the exit clear Etienne" he ordered, watching with pride as Etienne combatted his opponents move with a flourish that he had learnt from Athos only a few months ago. "We will most likely need to move quickly when we return"

"Aye Captain" chorused the voices of the men staying behind to finish the guards, who at this point were growing annoyed at being ignored and as such increased their attacks.

Just how big is this place! Treville mentally ranted when they came to a stop before two different corridors.

"This way!" he called to his men, slightly panicked, as yet another scream came from Aramis's mouth.

Treville and his men raced down the corridor, no longer caring about stealth. Their only concern was reaching their friend and brother.

Just as they reached the door they heard the sickening sound of a bone cracking as well as Aramis's tortured screams.

With a glare that would have the bravest man cowering before it, Treville stormed into the room, his eyes immediately locking onto the man holding a weapon above his clearly injured man, fully intending to use it again.

"Drop the bat monsieur," he growled, his voice low, dangerous and promising a world of pain as he pressed his blade hard against the man he could only assume to be Ortiz's throat. Taking a great amount of pleasure in the way the man instantly froze at the touch.

Making sure he kept Ortiz in his line of sight he allowed his gaze to move over to Aramis, quickly assessing the man for injuries… What he found tested his resolve to see Ortiz tried in Paris. The typically bubbly marksman was now alarmingly pale apart from the patches of skin that were covered in deep bruising. There was a recently stitched bullet wound on the medic's shoulder that looked like it needed redoing. There were also several smaller cuts on the man's face along with a small trail of blood down one side of his face that spoke of a possible concussion.

The chained musketeer's leg was quite clearly broken. The skin surrounding the break was already beginning to bruise, but what was concerning the Captain was the bone that was protruding from the sharpshooter's skin… It would be a while before the man would be able to walk properly and without pain that was for sure.

Just when he thought he had finished categorizing the musketeer's injuries Treville noticed the blood on the floor and came to the sickening realization that his solider had been whipped… Quite badly if the blood on the floor was anything to go by.

"…Captain" came a weak and barely audible response from the chained man.

"Aramis" Treville responded with a nod, knowing the man needed to hear his voice while his eyes were on him to completely believe that he was there in the room with him.

"Well, well, well" Smirked Ortiz, seemingly nonplussed at the fact there was still the tip of a blade pressed against his throat. "And here I though I was going to have to go all the way to Paris for you" he remarked before quickly swinging his bat low to the musketeer Captain's legs.

Treville would be the first to admit he had no idea why the man was attacking him when he was so obviously outnumbered, but still, after seeing Aramis he was more than willing to give the man the fight he seemed to be after.

Luckily the remaining musketeers saw their Captain's desire to be the one who fought so they instead directed their focus to freeing their injured brother.

"Easy Aramis" Soothed one of the men when the slightly out of it marksman had tried to fight back against them when they touched him, "We're going to get you out of here"

"Thierry?" mumbled Aramis weakly as he raised his head to see if the voice he heard really belonged to one of his musketeer comrades

"The one and only my friend" smiled the older gentleman before the grin faded and a guilty grimace took its place, "Apologies for taking so long."

"…Y'ur here now" slurred the musketeer, still trying to get his mind to focus on anything other than the agonizing pain in his leg.

"Aye" Thierry nodded, "We're gonna get you out of these Aramis just hang on okay"

Working quickly the remaining musketeers managed to unlock the chains that held their comrade to the ceiling and with a gentleness most would be surprised to see in seasoned soldiers, they lowered the alarmingly pale musketeer onto the chair they had brought over from the corner of the room. Most of the men then surrounded the musketeer in case Ortiz tried anything whilst Thierry gently splashed some water over Aramis's face in an effort to wake him up before then allowing the musketeer a hearty helping of his canteen.

While this was all going on Treville's single focus was on the man before him. He was fighting hard with himself not to allow the rage he felt for how his men had been treated affect how he fought the man.

He could tell from the Spaniard's earlier words that there was clearly more going on then a case of stolen royal documents but he had little time to think further on it as he quickly dodged out of the way of another swing of the bat.

This dodge ended with him briefly facing the chair that Aramis was now slumped over as he fought to stay conscious through the pain now barreling through him.

The sight of his man in pain only amplified his worry for his remaining men, with a steely glare at the Spaniard who caused it all Treville charged at the man, his speed surprising his opponent, before using all his considerable strength to bash the pommel of his sword against Ortiz's temple and he would forever deny that it wasn't the least bit satisfying to watch Ortiz crumple to the ground unconscious.

"You two!" bellowed Treville to two of the men now standing guard at Aramis's side, "I want him contained ready for transport to Paris as soon as we are done here. He is to be bound and gagged I don't want to hear a single sound from him… Heck blindfold him too for all I care he is your responsibility. Ensure he is watched"

Now slightly afraid of the dark look residing in his eyes the two men were quick to follow their Captain's orders. The grabbed the chains that had previously held Aramis before locking up the Spaniard tight. They spared a second to decide how they were going to get him out of the room before sharing a cheeky smirk and each grabbing a foot – determined to drag the man out the most painful way they could.

"Thierry" Treville called after shaking his head at the obvious enjoyment his men were getting every time Ortiz's head banged against the uneven stone floor.

"Sir?"

"Stay with Aramis" Treville ordered, not notice how Aramis's head shot up at his words, "Once he's collected himself get him out of here-"

"NO" rasped Aramis, smacking the arm of the chair for good measure as he did so, though considering how weak he felt it didn't quite have the force or impact he was after but it got their attention so he would take what he could.

"I will not leave them!" exclaimed the medic as he looked at the Captain as if he was mad for assuming he would.

"You're in no condition to go searching around this place Aramis," reasoned Treville, softening his tone slightly at the obvious pain on the medic's face. "Let Thierry get you out of here and to the – "

"I. Will. Not. Leave. Them" growled Aramis through gritted teeth, "I will hop there if needs be but I'm not leaving until we've found them"

Sighing at the medic's stubbornness Treville was about to try to reason with him again when Aramis spoke, his voice weak and vulnerable in a way that Treville had not seen since just after Savoy

"I need to do this sir," he implored, practically begging the man to let him come.

"Thierry you've got point" Treville sighed. Pointing his finger straight at the now relieved medic he added, "You moan once about this having worsened your injuries when we get you out of here and I'll have you mucking out the stables for a month"

"Understood sir" Aramis nodded, chuckling weakly. Only then to gasp in pain as Treville helped him stand. The Captain was quick to place his arm around Aramis's chest in an effort to help keep the weight off of his broken leg. The whimper of pain the action drew from the medic as Treville was forced to press on the lashes that now littered his back had the Captain once again debating trying to reason with the man. Though he sighed when he was the determined, if exhausted, look in the marksman eye just as he was about to open his mouth.

Giving the medic a moment to brace himself before setting off Treville quickly gave orders to the remaining man who would be bringing up the rear

The walk was slow and silent, none of the newly arrived musketeers willing to dare ask about what the situation was with the rest of their brothers… Not that they would have gotten a response regardless as Aramis was too busy trying not to scream and then pass out after every single step he took. His pained gasps and whimpers were the only noise in the now seemingly empty house.

"CAPTAIN!" called a voice, startling the group enough that they forgot who they had with them as they whirled around to face the source of the voice.

"ARHHH!" cried Aramis as the sudden movement jarred his broken bone, the pain it caused was so intense it caused him to black out momentarily as he slumped in Treville's hold

"Shit Aramis sorry" apologized the group as one, which would have been amusing to the man if he wasn't in such pain.

"'s'fine" slurred Aramis, a few tears flowing down his cheeks as he righted himself, though none of the men commented on it.

"Etienne" remarked Treville with a raised eyebrow, not all too pleased with the man's sudden entrance and the pain it inadvertently caused his friend.

"Thought you could do with some added help sir" explained the musketeer looking sheepish and guilty as he watched Aramis try to collect himself. He then went on to say they had seen another small wave of guards at the door but they had handled them easily and now the others were keeping watch on it to ensure that it stayed clear.

"Good timing" remarked Thierry as they started moving again, the musketeer unable to fully stop himself from looking back at Aramis worriedly every few moments. "According to Aramis we should be close to the room they were being held in."

With that the group fell into silence once more until Treville felt Aramis start to shake as they approached a room at the end of the corridor.

"This it?" he asked worriedly, torn between wanting the shakes to be a reaction to the room and for wanting them to be a reaction to his injuries. When Aramis nodded weakly Treville quickly, but gently, passed him over to Etienne so he could be the first one through the door to check on the fate of his men.

The first thing that caught Treville's eye was the pool of blood against one wall and he realized with growing worry and anger that his best sharpshooter had been left to bleed to death before someone had clearly decided to stitch up his wound.

The next thing he noticed was his lieutenant laid curled up as tightly as he was sure his injuries would allow near the dried pool of blood.

"I had to check him," Aramis said weakly, explaining the situation as best as he could with dark spots still hovering about his vision. "He didn't have the strength to move afterwards" he added sadly, a frown marring his features as he, and he rest of their rag-tag group, noticed the shivering Athos was doing.

"Great, now he's got a cold as well" huffed Aramis somewhat good-naturedly though the worry was clear in his voice.

Thierry and Treville rushed to Athos's side, both letting out a slew of curses when they saw the mess that was Athos's back. That coupled with the heat of the man's skin was worrying the men more then either was willing to admit.

"…'Tagnan" murmured Athos weakly in his sleep, his voice full of pain as he tried to curl further into himself as the shivers intensified.

"What happened?" growled Treville as he looked to the exhausted medic for answers.

"…Whelps… Greatest… Hits" answered a familiar voice with a weak scoff.

"Porthos!" exclaimed the Captain, scolding himself for not having noticed the man hunched in the corner of the room when they entered, though the relief at seeing the man awake quickly faded with the more he talked.

"Wante'… to use… D'Art's pain… get… him… to break" Porthos explained with another weak scoff and attempt at a smirk, "Didn't count… on… kid being… so… stubborn"

"Thierry, see to Porthos" Treville ordered, his worried gaze scanning the room for the only man unaccounted for. "Farrin come and help me with Athos."

The two men were quick to follow Treville's orders though they did all freeze when Thierry swore wildly as Porthos instantly passed out the moment the musketeer knocked against his shattered wrist.

Mumbling an unheard apology to the now unconscious man Thierry finished freeing him from his bindings before somehow managing to maneuver the man into a position that made it possible for him to carry him on his back.

The second Porthos's bloodstained and torn shirt touched his own Thierry could tell that the man was still losing blood and he thanked his luck that he was strong enough to carry the man as he really didn't like the idea of forcing the man awake only to then make him walk with his injuries.

"What of D'Artagnan?" Aramis asked worriedly from his spot by the door having not wanted to enter the room again if he could help it, his exhausted eyes were flickering worriedly around the room as if the boy would suddenly appear. Though it did dissipate slightly when he saw Athos nestled against Farrin's back, seemingly more content now there was a heat source near him.

"They must have him somewhere else" Treville stated, concern gripping his heart as he tried not to imagine what condition the young soldier must be in given the snippets of information he had managed to gleam from his men.

Having reached this conclusion the men restarted their search, moving slower than before with their new additions but none willing to go on ahead in case they met resistance from any remaining guards and were unable to defend themselves or their charge. But most importantly they feared what they would find when they reached D'Artagnan and none of them would tear one of the 'inseparables' away from him if the boy's condition was too grave to fix when they found him.

It took some time, by which point Aramis's weight was now being pretty much completely carried by Etienne as the musketeer slipped in and out of consciousness, but eventually they found the room housing their remaining brother.

"D'ARTAGNAN!"