Evening My Lovelies :)
This chapter is a bit fillerish I'm afraid, but it's leading into the D'Art/Athos moment which I'm super excited to get to writing :D
You wanna know what I realized earlier? This is officially my longest story :D And we're not done yet!
Notes On Reviews:
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Everyone's feeling guilty for what happened and the only way they could cope was to put the blame on someone else unfortunately, though Athos and Aramis will be fine after the beginning of today's chapter :) Ooooh now I'm tempted to have Ortiz find him before our boys get to him :D But that would mean re-writing what I've got done already and I'm far too lazy for that so we'll stick with the original plan. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Athos just needed someone to tell him like it is, probably would have preferred to have it said to him without getting punched but oh well :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
AmazingWriter123: Thanks for the review - Worry not our boy's wont be fighting for very long, they both just needed to sleep on it to realize they need each other :) Yeah I agree, if D'Art would just take a second to think clearly everything would be better, unfortunately he's too hot-headed to do that. Yay :D I'm really glad you've decided not to leave, I really love getting your reviews and hopefully you'll continue to enjoy the story :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - Awww I'm sorry *gives cookie* Our boys will find D'Art today I promise, things are about to get a bit better. Our boys will also be moving on passed the fight today, they just needed time to cool off :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
fariedragon: Thanks for the review - :D I'm really happy you're enjoying the story so far (still can't believe we're in the 50's chapter wise) Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Hehe Glad you liked Aramis's moment, figured Athos deserved a good old punch to wisen him up a bit :) Treville's on the mend which is nice, he's showing up a bit today as well. Our boys will find D'Art very soon and start healing and getting things back the way they were. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Anon. Guest (Guest): Thanks for the review - I completely get what you're saying and worry not Treville's gonna be having similar thoughts to you which will be addressed when our boys get back to Paris. D'Art also will be in the similar mindset of him leaving isnt Athos's fault - though he hasnt really realized the consequences of leaving, punishment wise. I'm tempted to also have Louis tell our pup off for leaving as well ... Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - D'Art's not making it easy for them but our favourite swordsman has an idea :) Treville's on the mend but he isnt exactly getting time to relax and recuperate. Athos knows what he said was wrong, he just needed to put the blame on someone and Aramis was the easiest target, besides :) Aramis got his own back :D Yep Aramis is kinda pushing himself quite hard at the moment, something that'll be address tomorrow :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Tension and emotions will be calming down a little bit today. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - Yeah all this blaming and guilt isnt healthy... I think our boys are due a good old purge tomorrow :) D'Artagnan will be found really soon. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Bombadilo Baby: Thanks for the review: Glad you're loving the story so far :) I can't help but whump D'Art physically and emotionally, he's just too cute a target lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I don't know what it is about the boy that makes him so whumpable but just can't help it lol :) He's gonna have a talk with Aramis about the medic feeling guilty seeing as how he couldnt have done anything to stop him given the circumstances. We'll kinda find out where he's going today but D'Art'll explain it more tomorrow. Glad you liked the whole Athos/Aramis fight, it was my favourite bit of the chapter so I'm pleased you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Chapter Fifty-One: Wayward Brother II
Aramis was the first of his brothers up the next morning, dawn had barely broken when his eyes opened and the first thing he noticed was a very familiar cloak resting over his body and a mix of guilt and love settled in the medic's stomach as he lightly clutched the material in his hand.
Sparing his brother a glance Aramis could already see the new bruise forming on the man's jaw from his punch the day before and despite feeling his response was justified he couldn't push away the need to apologize.
Luckily his chance came quickly as not long after him Athos began to wake.
"We need to leave soon," Athos stated when he saw Aramis watching him. The pair was still slightly awkward and when Aramis failed to respond Athos hung his head and began to move towards the door in the hopes of letting their hosts know their imminent departure.
"I'm sorry," Aramis said sincerely as he gripped Athos's arm when he walked passed him, "I –"
"You were completely justified my friend," interrupted Athos gently as he placed a gentle hand on Aramis's shoulder, "You merely said what I needed to hear and I thank you for it."
Aramis blinked, a little bit surprised by Athos's attitude but unwilling to risk souring their brotherhood by pushing the matter much further he smiled at the man and said, "regardless I am sorry.
"We're all sorry now can we go," smirked a voice from behind them, startling the two men who had forgotten he was there. "We've got a whelp to find after all."
"We can not thank you enough for your hospitality Father," thanked Aramis as he stood before the head priest while his brothers saw to their horses. Athos had seen how the Spaniard's leg was paining him and had forbidden him to do more then the bare minimum, so it had fallen to him to address the priest.
"There is no need for thanks my boy," smiled the priest gently, "We will keep an eye out for your brother and will pray for you and yours success in finding him."
Aramis opened his mouth to reply when Athos called to him, both he and Porthos were already mounted and just Aramis's mare stood riderless, waiting to go.
"God be with you my son," wished the priest, patting Aramis's hand gently as he watched the man make his way to the horse.
"Our thanks Father," Athos said quietly with a nod as he passed the priest, who merely smiled and nodded, standing by the gate for a while as he watched the men disappear into the distance.
"So," Porthos said a few minutes after they had left the church, "Do we know where to begin looking for the whelp?"
"He wasn't in Paris nor his father's grave," mused Aramis as he face scrunched up in concentration. "Do you think he went back to Lupiac?"
"Doubt it," Porthos dismissed, a slight edge to his voice as he recalled what the people of the small village had put his brother through, "If he left because of what happened there I can't see the whelp willingly leaving to go there."
"So where else could he be?" sighed Aramis, taking an apple out of his pack as he had been so wrapped up in his worry that he had forgotten to eat breakfast. Though seeing the fruit only reminded him of his little brother who had a love for it. In fact it was the one thing they could almost always get him to eat, no matter his mood or condition. Smiling at the memory of the first time they had managed to coax the boy into eating using it after an injury made him quite nauseous Aramis gently placed the apple back into his saddlebags, intent on giving it to the boy who most likely hadn't eaten since he left, when they found him later on.
"There's one place," muttered Athos under his breath as if he was thinking the idea out loud instead of in his head.
"What?" Porthos asked, having heard Athos mumble something but not understanding what was actually said.
Looking at his brothers who eagerly awaited his answer he said, "There is a place he might go."
"Where?" Aramis asked, moving his horse so he was standing closer to Athos.
"It's fairly far," admitted the swordsman, doubt clear in his words as he pulled out a rolled up map. Pointing to a point on the map he looked questioningly at Aramis, "Do you think he could have made it there?"
Aramis was silent as he observed the map, the distance normally wouldn't be a problem but with D'Artagnan's condition the medic had his doubts that the boy would have had the strength to make it there.
Looking over at the map Porthos found hope brewing within him once again, "Whelp survived this far, 'e aint gonna let a long trek defeat him."
At their brother's words both Aramis and Athos smiled before nodding and heading towards the location on the map.
"Halt!" bellowed a voice as he spotted the approaching figure, "Who goes there?"
The figure, which upon closer inspection was a woman… a very angry woman, threw back her hood and opened her mouth to respond when a familiar voice cut her off.
"Lady Flea!" remarked Etienne, having been near the gate when he heard Farrin call out. His friend raised an eyebrow at his acknowledgement of the woman but Etienne's focus remained on the blonde woman before him.
"You're Porthos's friend," remarked Flea after studying the man for a few moments
Etienne nodded and introduced himself, "Yes, I am Etienne. What brings you from the Court mademoiselle? Porthos is not here right now."
Flea raised her eyebrow at the man, surprised he was being so polite to her but she quickly reasoned that fear of Porthos's reaction if he wasn't probably had a part to play with it so simply smirked at him.
"I need to see your Captain," she stated, doing her best to not show how much being inside the garrison unnerved her.
Etienne nodded and gestured her to follow him, stopping by a table he turned to her, "feel free to sit mademoiselle, I'll get Captain Treville."
Flea nodded, still slightly surprised by the man's behavior before sitting down to wait.
"What's Porthos's Court tramp doing here?" sneered Claude mockingly as he and his friends approached her table.
Flea felt herself bristle at the slur but kept her anger under control as he regarded the man in front of her, "I'm here to see the Captain."
"And what gives you the right to do that when your lot almost killed him?" snarled Claude as he stepped closer to the woman, his anger growing when he saw defiance, not fear, in her eyes.
"Claude!" bellowed Treville angrily as he and Etienne had appeared just as the musketeer had gripped Flea's arm tightly, not that the woman showed any evidence of this on her face.
"She has no right to be here Captain!" snarled Claude, tightening his grip on the woman's arm, smirking inwardly as he saw a flash of pain cross her face.
"I'll be the one to decide that, now release her and get back to your duties!"
Claude scowled but did as ordered.
"Apologies for my solider mademoiselle," said Treville as he cautiously limped over to her.
Realistically he should still be on bed rest, but without knowing for sure how many spies Ortiz had left in the city, now was not the time to be showing any weakness.
"I'm used to it," shrugged the woman, though her anger softened as she looked at the man Porthos spoke so highly of.
"You wished to see me?" Treville asked, watching her with a hint of curiosity. He had known about Flea ever since Porthos's potential caught his eye many years ago, but this was the first time he and the woman had ever spoken.
"Yes," nodded Flea, feeling more confident the more she spoke, "regarding the attack that gave you that injury."
Treville nodded, having expected this might have been her purpose for coming here.
"I have no intention of informing the King that the Court was to blame if that is your concern," at her completely surprised face he added, "I have no desire for the blood of the innocents that reside there to be on mine nor my men's hands."
Flea sighed in relief, a huge weight crumbling off of her shoulders. "I can see why Porthos respects you so," smiled the woman, eyes bursting with gratitude before her entire expression become much more serious, "But that is not why I am here."
"Oh?" now it was Treville's turn to be surprised, "Why are you here then?"
"The men who attack you and your unit. You're aware most of them died in the attack?"
"I was informed of the fact, yes." Answered Treville, curious as to where this was going.
"A couple of the men, including the ringleader who organized them all escaped." She stated, her anger at the men clear on her face.
"We have men looking for them," remarked Etienne, his voice clearly meant to be reassuring to the woman given he alone out of the two of them knew why she was so angered.
"No need," she dismissed, a smirk forming on her face.
"Why?" Etienne asked looking thoroughly confused.
"…Because they are already in custody of the Court." Stated Treville as he realized the reason behind the woman's smirk
Flea nodded, her smirk dropping and her expression becoming serious once again. "Usually we would deal with this matter ourselves, especially after they put our entire way of life at risk from their actions."
"But?"
"But, we are willing to turn them over to the musketeers, in the hopes it will help soothe the King's ire against us should he learn of the Court's involvement at any point."
"It certainly would aid your case," nodded Treville and no sooner had he said those words had Flea gotten up from the table and moved to the gate of the garrison.
The men watched curiously as she raised her fingers to her lips and let out a shrill whistle.
Within moments several bound men were dragged into the musketeer garrison, one looking a lot more worse for wear then his brothers.
"Our gift to you Captain," stated Flea, power and authority oozing from her voice as she stood behind the three bound men. Kicking the more disheveled one in the back so he face-planted the ground she added, with venom in her voice, "Meet Boucher, the ringleader of the whole operation.
"So why do you think D'Artagnan's headed to this place?" Aramis asked curiously when the group was forced to stop for a break. They had wanted to continue but to continue at the pace they were going would risk their horses and they couldn't do that, especially if there was a chance D'Artagnan might not even be where they were heading.
"He pointed it out to me when we were on our way back from a mission once," Athos answered with a shrug, passing the medic a bread roll as he spoke, his eyes narrowing as if daring the Spaniard to skip another meal. "He kind of reminded me of a child trying to show off his newest toy so I let us rest there for a bit. He said it was somewhere special to him and that he used to go there to clear his head."
"We'll find out soon enough if he's there," said Porthos in between mouthfuls of food.
Within the hour the trio had decided that their horses had rested enough and they were close enough to their destination that they could lessen the pace slightly so as to not damage the animals health and so, before long the group was on the road once again.
Each of them felt the simmering of hope within them when they got closer to their destination and found the partial remains of hoof prints in the ground.
The prints were old but recent enough that they could have been from D'Artagnan's mare. The horse that made them seemed to be moving slowly which worried them slightly but they took comfort in the fact that they were not far behind.
"There!" exclaimed Aramis, his sharp eyes picking out the figure in the distance before either of his brothers could.
The second the words had left the medic's mouth Athos had dismounted his horse and was racing to the figures side. His heart stopped for a moment when he got closer to the figure, only to restart again when he saw the rise and fall of their chest.
"D'Artagnan," whispered the swordsman, his voice full of relief as he sank to his knees next to the Gascon, who was lying against the side of his horse, his eyes closed as he slumbered on, completely unaware he was no longer alone.