Evening My Lovelies
Well, this chapter would probably have been up an hour ago if YouTube hadn't gotten me in its clutches yet again so sorry about that :D
We're in for a bit of a fluffy chapter today (kinda) It should be a nice break from all the whumpage.
Also we're soooo close to 500 reviews! only need 15 more!
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it, whump is always good though hopefully you'll like this semi-fluffy chapter as well :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - :D That line was probably my favourite of the chapter so I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Ask and ye shall receive my friend, hopefully it works for you. Enjoy the new chapter! x
romirola: Thanks for the review - I was thinking that I hadn't heard from you in a while. Really annoyed your reviews haven't been coming through as you're always really nice in them :D We're getting a bit more of comfort from our muskys today. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Phew! I was worried I'd rushed Daviau's end but I really wanted to give our boys some peace but to hear people liked it is a relief. Hmmm that could be an interesting idea, probably not going to happen but I like the idea. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Honestly I'm surprised I get anything done lately considering how distracted I've been, let alone anything of quality, but it probably helps when I have lovely reviews from people like you to keep me motivated :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Yeah I think I might have based him off of our lovely medic a little bit, glad you like him though. Gotta love protective muskys they're just too cute ^.^ Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you enjoyed it, as I said it gave me soooooo much trouble I was really worried it would be terrible. I was tempted to whisk Treville off somewhere but our boys are in no state to be in pursuit and they're in dire need of some rest. We'll be checking in with D'Art today and I can say, which might please you, that I already have an idea for my next story which will feature lots of D'Art whump (because I can't resist) If I have the time I might start it whilst also still writing this one so I can get it out sooner, though mainly because the damn idea for it wont leave my mind, but we'll have too see. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the reviews - I do think Treville might be enforcing a buddy system because of all this lol. I think I based Corbett off of Aramis slightly, they're very similar in personality... which is even more evident in this chapter. Glad you liked the fight scene, I was worried I had rushed his death a bit but everyone seems happy with it so I'll take it :) As for D'Art we'll be checking in with him today so you can find out :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Oooh now just because you said that I feel the need to bring him back ... mainly because I'm an evil minded writer lol :D ... Don't worry though, as tempting as it is I wont he's dead... or dying... either way he's wont be troubling our boys any longer. Yay everyone seems to like Corbett, always a good day for me when you lovely people like the OC's I add in. We'll be dealing with Viv (I haven't forgotten her I promise!) probably tomorrow if not the day after... I'm really excited to write hers and Aramis's conversation XD gotta make sure it's perfect! As for D'Art we'll be checking in with him today so I wont be keeping you all waiting long. As for Marcel it depends on how evil I'm feeling. Part of me really likes the idea of him trying to redeem himself but then the other part doesn't trust him and wants to keep him as a baddie so we'll have to wait and see. Glad it didnt come across rushed or terrible :) Today's chapter was a lot easier... or would have been if I didnt keep getting distracted... Though idea wise it was a lot easier. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I couldn't let Daviau live... not like he would have done when people learned of what he did but yeah he had to die and I really wanted a musky to do it. I was sooo tempted to have Athos or Porthos do it as the man had tortured them but with D'Art in the condition he was they had more important priorities to worry about. As for wrapping up the story... we're quite possibly getting near the end but I still have a fair amount of stuff left to do and we still have Marcel to deal with, I could probably extend the story a bit if I went with him still being a baddie... Plus I really want to write a scene with Louis at some point, I've really enjoyed writing him in the last few stories and I can't imagine he wouldn't have something to say about Treville's lengthy absence by this point. We'll get our puppy pile moment properly before the story ends I promise! (I'll make sure my next story has more snuggle moments in, this one's lacking a bit.) Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - I think that's a valid reason to forget I hope she had fun :D I could quite easily get on a roll :D But I'll let our boy's rest up for a bit first. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favourting/reviewing/reading. Love you all, you guys are awesome!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Forty-Two: A Moment To Rest
Smiling softly at the sleeping quartet Treville turned back around to face the rest of his men who were now awaiting orders.
"Corbett," he called, waiting until the musketeer stood forward before continuing, "I want you and whoever accompanied you to set up a watch rotation, we may have handled Daviau but his accomplice Marcel has been seen in the area and I don't want any more surprises."
Corbett nodded, "There's five men including myself, we'll take two hour watches. They were scouting the nearby area for anymore of Daviau's men when I came here so they should be joining us anytime now."
Treville breathed a sigh of relief, he had hoped for at least as many men so to know they now had the numbers was a weight off of his tired shoulders. "The rest of you," he said turning to the exhausted men who had been by his side since the beginning of all of this and to his pride they all stood to attention waiting and willing to follow his orders. Smiling softly at his men he said, "Get some sleep, Corbett's men can handle the watch for tonight and I can't have any more of you injuring yourselves due to lack of sleep."
Henri looked ready to protest at this and Treville caught the look before he could say anything.
"Henri that order goes double for you," Henri blinked owlishly at his words, "You've slept less than Aramis at this point and we all know how he gets. With the injured we already have I want to start our return journey to Paris as soon as possible and for that I need every able bodied soldier to be at their best so stop trying to convince us you're not tired and get some rest."
There was a quiet round of snickering at Henri's scolding though the musketeer himself took it in stride and offered his Captain a jaunty wave before turning to Issac, who was looking a little pale.
Turning back to Corbett, Treville was pleasantly surprised to see the rest of the new group approaching from the tree line. "If any of you need any blankets there's plenty in the compound, either Alain or Blaise will be there as they are on alternating guard duty of our prisoners so they can help you find anything you need."
Just as Corbett was about to respond a worried voice caught their attention.
"Whoa Issac!" exclaimed Henri as he caught the collapsed musketeer in his arms.
"What the hell happened?" barked Treville as he and the rest of the conscious musketeers crowded the pair.
"He just collapsed," Henri said worriedly, moving him slightly so Moreau could check him over.
"Well?" demanded Treville as Moreau took a step back having concluded his examination.
"Exhaustion would be my best guess Captain," informed Moreau, "The man was telling me when I arrived about how he had been watching over his injured companion. From what I can tell he did not rest well, if at all, during that time and now the adrenaline of the day has begun to wear off it has all caught up with him."
Treville sighed, "But he's okay?"
Moreau chuckled lightly, "Yes Captain, just needs a long rest and he'll be fine. Maybe we could put him next to his friend so he doesn't worry when he wakes up."
Treville nodded and watched as Issac was carried over to an already sleeping Favier.
"Well if that doesn't prove your point nothing will," teased Corbett lightly as he moved to stand next to Treville, who huffed in response to his words.
"So," Corbett continued, "Are you going to follow your own orders?"
"I need to see to my men," stated Treville with a shake of his head, his hand subconsciously coming up to rest against his wound as it throbbed.
Noticing this Corbett raised an eyebrow at the man. "They've been taken care of and we will wake you if anything changes that you need making aware of."
Before Treville could interrupt as he looked like he was about to do, Corbett continued, "The men's morale will improve if they see their Captain is in better health and I may not be as intimidating as Athos but I'd wager I could get the good doctor to mix up a sleeping draught for me to drug you with if you don't rest."
This time it was Treville that raised an eyebrow, though the amusement twinkling in his eyes negated any offence he was trying to present. "You are aware that I'm your boss right?"
Corbett grinned brightly, grabbing the Captain by his shoulders and leading him to an empty sleeping spot near the fire, "Yes, yes but even bosses need to sleep so rest up, we've got this."
Letting himself be manhandled Treville couldn't resist the smile that tugged at his lips, Corbett was similar to Aramis in the way he fretted over the others in the regiment and like Aramis everyone had learnt it was far less hassle and stress to simply go with it as he was usually correct about whatever he was fretting about.
For the first time since this had all began things were calm, Treville allowed himself a few minutes to watch over his sleeping men, chuckling softly at some of the positions they seemed to have fallen asleep in before he too let his heavy exhausted eyes to close as sleep took him.
However true to their luck so far things refused to stay calm for long as a few hours later he was woken by the painful sounds of coughing coming from D'Artagnan as well as the soothing words being spoken by the inseparable trio. Despite the fact that the three of them were trying to be quiet enough not to wake anyone else Treville could see the worry growing on their faces.
"You're okay D'Art," soothed Aramis softly as he patted the young Gascon's back to try and help him end the coughing fit.
"Aramis?" Treville enquired quietly as he knelt down by the quartet's side, all joy at seeing the Gascon's gone as he saw the tears streaming down the boy's face as the coughs ravaged his throat.
"His body's reaction to the antidote," explained Porthos sleepily as it quickly became apparent that Aramis was completely focused on his young charge. Porthos eyes then widened as he saw Treville's fill with guilt and his skin blanche instantly. "'Mis says its working though," he added quickly, guilt niggling at him as he realized his original words had caused the Captain to think the worst and blame himself for demanding they give D'Artagnan the vial.
"W…What?" Treville breathed, his mind trying to wrap itself around the idea that he hadn't made the boy worse.
"He's fever's broken," stated Athos, though his eyes remained locked on the still coughing D'Artagnan.
"And he's awake now," added Porthos with a small smile as if that fact wasn't blatantly obvious.
"…'Mis," whined D'Artagnan pitifully between coughs, his voice so hoarse it made Treville wince at the thought of what pain the young Gascon must be in.
"I know, I know," soothed Aramis, quickly helping him drink a small amount of water when his coughs slowed enough for him to do more than just gasp for breath. "They're easing off, just keep breathing, you're going to be fine."
"…h'rts," admitted the Gascon, his eyes screwing shut in pain as another round of coughing took hold.
"Remind me to check his ribs after all this," Aramis said as he pulled his eyes away from D'Artagnan to look at his brothers. "This coughing would be painful without having broken ribs but I don't want to risk giving him anything until whatever was in that vial finishes working."
Athos nodded at the request whilst Porthos snorted, earning him a questioning look from everyone around him including a still coughing D'Artagnan, though his was much weaker and disrupted by the tears still flowing from his eyes.
"What?" shrugged Porthos innocently, "We all know as soon as the whelp stops coughing for more than a couple of minutes you're pretty much gonna pounce on him to check him over, no reminder needed."
Athos and Treville let out a small huff of laughter at the true statement whilst Aramis sent his brother a mock glare that was negated by the light blush now staining his cheeks.
"We've got this if you want to get some more sleep Captain," Athos stated, noticing the dark circles around Treville's eyes. "It should pass soon."
Treville was about to respond when a particularly painful cough exploded from D'Artagnan's throat making the boy cry out in pain as he tried to curl up into himself.
"You'll make it worse if you do that," chided Aramis gently as he forced the Gascon to uncurl himself while he rubbed small circles into the back of D'Artagnan's shoulder.
Treville's eyes widened as a thought hit him, "I'll be back," he stated before leaving, leaving three musketeers and one Gascon confused in his wake.
Not having time to dwell on their Captain's bizarre actions the inseparables turned their attention back to the Gascon.
Before too long Treville returned with a steaming cup in his hands which he offered to the still coughing Gascon who looked between it and him with a confused expression.
"Honey tea," stated the Captain, glaring at his men as he silently dared them to comment on this. "An old friend of mine used to have lung problems that caused him to cough a lot, swore up and down that this was the best solution to soothe his throat. It might not do much but figured it couldn't hurt."
At the knowledge that it might soothe the burning pain in his throat D'Artagnan took the cup gratefully with his shaking hands.
Noticing the shake Athos was quick to take the cup off of him, causing the Gascon to pout up at the man, drawing quiet chuckles from the rest of them.
"It's hot," deadpanned Athos as though this should have been obvious, "with the way you're shaking it'll end up in your lap then in your throat. You've already broken bones, been stabbed, fallen ill due to infection and poisoned. Let's not add burned to that impressive list"
D'Artagnan's pout turned to a scowl though he said nothing as Athos helped him drink a few sips of the tea, a small smile tugging at the boy's lips as he felt the immediate relief of the honey.
"T…Thanks C-Captain," coughed D'Artagnan, his tears drying up as, true to Aramis's words, the coughs began to ease.
"I'm just glad your feeling better D'Artagnan," nodded Treville with a small smile. "Drink up and get some more sleep, there's much that needs to be discussed with the four of you so we need you all as healthy as we can get."
Both Aramis and D'Artagnan looked confused at this but unknowing to them Athos and Porthos's eyes narrowed, as they understood what their Captain was talking about.
"I also want us heading back to Paris as soon as we can, though that wont be happening until both Aramis here and Doctor Moreau have given their approval for the injured to be transported."
Aramis's eyes narrowed semi-seriously at this, "You're aware you yourself aren't up for riding with that wound right?"
Treville ignored the medic's comment and patted D'Artagnan's leg in a display of almost fatherly affection before nodding to the cup in Athos's hands, "Drink," he ordered softly, "then sleep."
"You're not fit to ride!" whisper-yelled Aramis as Treville returned to where he had been sleeping.
"Stubborn fool," grumbled the medic as he continued began his examination of D'Artagnan's ribs in between the Gascon's sips of the honeyed tea.
Porthos scoffed, "like you should be riding with that wound of yours."
"I've already proved I can," stated Aramis almost proudly, "I rode all the way here with it and we were riding hard, I'll be fine."
"But –" started Porthos only to be interrupted by Athos who was too tired and sore to deal with the pair of them right now.
"This is a discussion best left to a more reasonable hour of day I expect gentlemen, none of us will be riding if we're falling asleep where we stand so how about we get some rest?"
Sensing that was more of an order then a suggestion the quartet settled back down in the positions they had been before D'Artagnan awoke, the Gascon falling asleep before any of the three musketeers could even lay down, the coughing fit having taken a lot out of him.
After a few moments of silence as they all settled themselves back on the ground Aramis couldn't resist any longer and just before his let sleep claim him once again he added, "You aren't fit for riding either Athos," making the half asleep musketeer smack the side of his head in retribution before the three of them relaxed back into sleep.