Evening My Lovelies :)
Today's chapter is a bit of an emotional one (at least at the beginning) so be prepared for that.
Also I'm kinda hoping/begging for at least 8 reviews this chapter so I can reach the 300 review mark :D We've already reached 20k views, which is freaking awesome! but it would totally make my day if we can get to 300 reviews! (Hint hint)
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - It's because you're not there to take care of him lol :) He might be a bit calmer now after today's chapter in terms of pushing his injuries in an effort to check on the others. Enjoy the new chapter! x
ploiuiu: Thanks for the review - Welcome back :) The suspense and drama have kinda got to take a back seat for a little bit while our boys heal but I have plenty of drama planned once I've gotten them healed up a bit. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - That would be never lol :D D'Art's fever is messing with him slightly but he's lucid enough (at the moment) to tell them where they are. Enjoy the new chapter! x
romirola: Thanks for the review - That's fine so long as you're enjoying the story :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
fariedragon: Thanks for the review - Because they didnt think of that, or because they thought Aramis would be smart enough not to try walking on a broken leg, regardless that'll be handled today... Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Your ideas are always so good so thank you for continuing to suggest them :) I couldnt resist the Aramis bit so I'm glad you liked it :) Screw a medal, Treville needs a parade or something lol Louis will have his moments of being almost decent and then he'll ruin it by going back to how he usually is... much to the annoyance of our boys. Oooh essays, so not fun :( Hopefully this'll be a nice break :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - Yeah definitely not the most comfortable thing for him to sleep on but Treville will remedy that :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - D'Artagnan's kinda grounded by having Aramis so near to him and touching him so that'll help when he responds to the question... Also helps that he's lucid for the moment so he actually understands what's going on. The A-O-Meter will be moving again today fair warning :) I want Louis to see the boys but I dont know if I'll have him come to them or insist that despite their injuries that they go to him... Enjoy the new chapter! x
A reader (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm so glad you thought so thank you :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - It was too cute of an image to ignore so I'm glad you liked it :D I kinda got the feeling that it would be something Aramis would usually do i.e. pushing his injuries to one side to check on others, hence Athos's reaction (plus i thought it would be funny :) ) I have some more Aramis whumpage planned but it wont be for a little bit given the need to let the boys heal for a while, but rest assured, more is coming. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Probably, Aramis's stubbornness made me smile writing it :D I'm trying to be conscious of the fact that they were all quite badly injured and so cant suddenly be better but please do let me know if you think I start rushing the healing bit. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Oh there's such much guilt in that room its unreal, had to relieve some of it and Etienne's was the easiest to do, so I'm pleased to hear you liked that bit. Hahaha love the description of our boys but its so true :D though they will be staying awake longer after today's one... but thats mainly as i have some cute brotherly moments planned and they cant happen if they're asleep lol :) The Aramis bit was too cute an image to ignore so I'm glad you liked it, we get another small moment like that today as well :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Many thanks as always to you lovely people who follow/favourite/review/read this story, love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Brothers
D'Artagnan had tried not to react to his Captain's words, knowing that Treville asked for the same reason that D'Artagnan had remained silent, even despite the pain it had caused him. But several weeks of being asked that question where the follow up was pain either for him or for his brothers had the battered Gascon flinching violently, which in turn caused the young man to curse under his breath as the flinch aggravated several of his injuries.
When he had composed himself enough to open his eyes, though he honestly didn't remember closing them, the concerned gaze of Captain Treville met him. He tried to smile, to reassure the elder man that he was okay, though considering the look he received in return he doubted his attempt was successful.
"Are you up for this D'Artagnan?" Treville asked kindly, hating to see the once spirited young man seem so broken. At D'Artagnan's hesitant nod he added, "Take your time."
Taking a deep breath and swallowing the lump in his throat D'Artagnan began, as best he could, to explain to Treville exactly where he had hidden the documents. It would have been much easier to simply give a vague description and let the musketeers Treville would undoubtedly send out find the cave, but one of the main reasons D'Artagnan had spent so much time in the cave as a child was that it was very well hidden and out of the way... It had been his refuge, a safe place to get away from the whispering and disappointed looks that seemed to follow him during his childhood. It would take extra time for the search party to find the cave and it was time D'Artagnan wasn't willing to waste... especially not when one of the people whose lives were in danger was sitting right in front of him.
Treville was quite during D'Artagnan's explanation; only asking questions when he truly had to and never probing the boy for further information that was not crucial to the recovery of the documents. He could see how much the simple act of talking was draining the boy and couldn't help but feel a burst of pride that the young man was stubbornly fighting off his exhaustion to give him the information.
"The men will leave in the morning," Treville reassured once D'Artagnan had finished explaining how to find the cave... he did have to admire the young man for having found such a place, though he did have his concerns as to why he needed to.
"...Take... me ... with you," D'Artagnan replied, trying desperately not to sound like he was begging.
Frowning Treville turned back to look at the young man, "Your direction were clear D'Artagnan and you're in no condition to be travelling."
"P...Please," implored the Gascon, no longer caring about begging.
"Even if you were fit for travel... Which I reiterate that you are not!" sighed Treville, staring curiously at the now defeated look the young man was wearing, "Your brothers would not let you any more than I would."
A flash of emotion appeared in D'Artagnan's eyes at the mention of his brothers though it was too quick for Treville to read, "please."
Thoroughly confused by the injured young man's continued attempts to get him to take him with them when they left the following morning but then he noticed how D'Artagnan was looking at Aramis as the medic slept on the floor by his bed completely unawares and Treville's entire countenance softened, "They don't blame you D'Artagnan," he said softly. "Running back to Gascony in your condition would only worry them which is something you could all do without."
D'Artagnan was quiet for several moments, almost making Treville believe he had fallen asleep on him, when the boy whispered a response, sounding so heartbreakingly fragile and lost that Treville was acutely reminded of the boy's young age. "H...How could... They... Not?"
Smiling sadly at the boy Treville asked, "You are an only child are you not?"
Confused by the question D'Artagnan could do nothing but nod weakly in response.
"Then you do not truly understand the bond brothers' share," explained Treville, "This whole situation was out of your control and as such they could never nor would they ever blame you for it... any of it"
"B...But," protested D'Artagnan weakly, unable to believe that his brothers might not hate him for what happened. He had a let a bit of hope grow when he woke to Aramis lying next to him but then the part of his mind that was adamant that they would hate him reminded him that Aramis would most likely do the same for anyone else in the regiment.
Sighing Treville wondered how the young Gascon could not see it, "Boy" he said gaining D'Artagnan's full attention, a flagging as it may be, "I've known these three for a while now and whilst they're protective of anyone in the regiment," Treville noted that D'Artagnan seemed to deflate a bit at that and he couldn't help the frown that plastered his face at that observation, "They are fiercely protective of those they consider family... and you'd have to be blind not to see that they consider you as such. They would never blame you for something like this."
"…I almost… got them…killed." D'Artagnan whispered brokenly, a sick feeling that had nothing to do with his fever or other injuries settling in his stomach as he finally admitted it out loud.
"No!" Treville exclaimed, surprising the boy with the fire behind his words. "Them willing to die for France has nothing to do with your actions, they would have accepted that fate even without you there… Besides" Treville said, placing a hand gently on the boy's shoulder, "You were willing to die to protect them from whatever pain you could." D'Artagnan nodded at this despite it not being a question, "That is the mark of a true brother D'Artagnan, they will not hate you."
D'Artagnan sat in stunned silence as he allowed Treville's words to sink in. He had always considered them brothers but feared that recent events might have changed their outlook with regards to him... He blamed himself, regardless of what his brothers... if he could still have the honor of calling them that, thought. In his mind every single scratch and bruise, every burn and lash was completely and unquestionably his fault... But the Captain... His words had allowed a small flicker of hope to burn within him... and he wasn't entirely sure whether or not to be thankful for it.
Treville smiled sadly as he saw the boy attempting to stay conscious enough to ponder his words. He had no doubt that they would do little to help assuage his apparent fears but if they at least made him consider the possibility that the three elder inseparables didn't hate him then he would consider it a good outcome.
"Get some rest D'Artagnan," Treville said softly, he could tell by the look in the boy's eye that his fever was troubling him. He helped the young man drink the same concoction he had given to Athos earlier before waiting by his side for him to fall asleep.
When he was sure that D'Artagnan was truly asleep Treville then went to move Aramis, knowing the man's habit of sleeping in awkward positions when one of his brothers were injured only to them complain relentlessly about it the following day.
Just before he was about to detach Aramis's iron grip from D'Artagnan's hand he was struck by and idea and quickly strode out of the infirmary.
"You four!" he called to the first group of musketeers he saw. The group sufficiently startled by the abrupt yell was quick to stand to attention when they realized it was their Captain who had called. "Come with me!" he ordered before moving back into the infirmary, the four men following.
The following morning saw a rather confused Athos attempting to figure out what was going on.
"He's awake!" remarked a voice cheerfully and before Athos could respond a hand was placed on his forehead, causing the still slightly dazed musketeer to scowl. "And it seems you might finally have gotten a handle on that fever of yours. You're still quite warm but definitely an improvement on the last few days."
The voice then laughed at the completely lost and bewildered look that graced Athos's face as the musketeer moved to sit up.
"Easy." The voice instructed as hands rushed to help the injured musketeer move.
"W…What?" croaked Athos as his mind finally registered what had been confusing him.
Without being asked the voice helped him drink some water, once again laced with a draught for his pain and fever.
"T…Tristan? What are you doing here?" Athos asked, slowly raising a hand to rub his face, grimacing slightly at the sweat he felt there.
"We got worried when none of you returned our way so I came to inform your Captain of what I knew. He then offered me one of the spare rooms to stay in until he returned with you." Tristan explained
"Many thanks," grumbled the musketeer, his mood soured by the pain radiating through his back, though the sincerity in his words was clear despite how they sounded. "Your actions most likely saved our lives."
Tristan blushed at that, not really comfortable with the sudden thanks from the man who had spent the entire time he was at his inn previously scowling and generally being quite morose.
"How do you like the room?" Tristan asked after a few moments of slightly awkward silence, "Treville thought it might help you all heal better."
Athos couldn't help but smile slightly at that, even more so when he looked at the room.
Some time during the night they had been moved into one of the slightly smaller rooms in the infirmary. It allowed them to get away from the noise of the garrison and from the bustle of the main room where men injured from missions and/or training would be constantly entering and leaving seeking aid.
That alone would be enough to help the four men recover but that was not what Athos suspected Treville had meant when he said that he thought it would help them heal.
Treville had arranged the beds so the four men were much closer together, in fact they were able to reach out and touch each other should they desire to.
D'Artagnan had been placed in the middle bed and was sleeping soundly, though the slight rattling and harshness of his breathing that could be heard indicated that the boy's earlier cold had not gone away. Frowning Athos also noted that there was tear track marks down the boy's cheek though they were dried up… Clearly his protégé hadn't managed quite a restful night, something they would have to address before it became an issue.
Aramis was in a bed next to the Gascon, his hand still tightly gripping D'Artagnan's own, though by the way the sharpshooter seemed to moving occasionally in his sleep Athos deduced that it would not be much longer until his friend awoke.
He himself was in a bed the other side of D'Artagnan, something he was infinitely grateful for and made a mental note to say so to Treville next time he saw him. The Captain knew him well enough to know that he would want to be close enough to all of his brothers to ensure himself of their health after the ordeal they had all suffered but even more so that he would want to be close to D'Artagnan given their bond and how much the young man had been forced to endure.
Porthos bed was situated just behind D'Artagnan's and was positioned horizontally across so the larger man could reach out and ruffle the boy's hair should he wish to do so, something he took great pleasure in as it produced an amusing outcry from the young man whenever he did it. Like Aramis, Porthos was showing signs that he might be waking up soon.
"Where is Treville?" Athos asked, tearing his gaze away from his sleeping brothers but not removing the hand he had placed lightly on D'Artagnan's chest to reassure himself that his beloved protégé and younger brother was indeed still breathing.
Tristan smiled at the action before informing him that the Captain had sent men out first thing to go and find the documents that D'Artagnan had hidden now that they had the location from the boy while the Captain himself was going to spend the day going over security at the palace to ensure the royal family's safety.
"D'Artagnan woke up?" Athos asked, the corners of his mouth twitching upward at the news that his brother had finally woken.
Tristan nodded, "Last night apparently, before they moved you all. I don't know what was discussed but your Captain was on a mission when he left."
"Understandable if whelp gave up the documents location" mumbled Porthos as he woke.
Tristan moved quickly from his spot by Athos's side once he saw the larger musketeer wake, helping him sit up like he had with the swordsman before also giving him the same water concoction he had given Athos.
"I will leave you men be" Tristan stated, sensing the men's need to just be together, "I'll inform Serge that you're awake and see about getting some food brought up for you."
The mention of food had the two awake musketeers' stomachs growling much to Tristan's amusement before they nodded to him their thanks and he left the room.