Evening My Lovelies

Hmm Louis turned out a bit different to what I had originally planned for this chapter but I've learnt to just go with it when my muse has moments like this so hopefully you still like it.

I briefly mentioned yesterday that our lovely Constance would be mentioned a bit today... Unfortunately my evil mind has decided to hold off on that until tomorrow as it had something else in mind for today's chapter :D

Notes On Reviews:

Tidia: Thanks for the review - Haha very true, though sometimes I wonder if Louis even knows what work is lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Louis annoys me too. He'll probably annoy you in today's chapter as well then. I'm really looking forward to writing the bit where Aramis and Athos learn that their brothers are missing, they're going to be so furious it'll be fun :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Treville's in for a tiring conversation that's for sure, definitely don't envy him on that front. Poor D'Art's not having a good time today but unfortunately for all of our captured boys it's going to get worse before it gets better :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Deana: Thanks for the review - I'm sure he wouldn't say no to a hug :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I know it was a bit mean of me to end it where I did, but with what I have planned for the pup today I think it'll make up for it :D Aramis and Athos are going to be soooo beyond furious when they learn what's going on and Poor Treville's really not looking forward to the chat he's about to have with the King. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Both Aramis and Athos are going to be pissed when they learn that their brothers are missing and no one told them. They wont be in the dark too long but that's still plenty of time for Marcel to do some damage. Treville's definitely going to end up regretting the decision to keep the information from them once everythings over. Louis's pretty angry that's for sure. Considering what I have planned, Corbett's definitely right to be worried :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

watlocked: Thanks for the review - I've decided which I'm going to use now though I'm going to leave it as a surprise until we reach that point. I do have to say thank you again for giving me such wonderful suggestions and ideas :D Part of Treville will understand why they took the detour but the other part of him is going to be pissed at them that's for sure. Louis turned out pretty different to what I had originally planned so I hope you still enjoy his bit in this chapter. I even got to add Anne, which I like doing, she's the voice of reason in times like this. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Hmmm currently he's not hurt too badly, that's about all I can promise right now as I know how my evil mind gets when D'Art whump is involved. I'm sooo looking forward to writing Athos and Aramis when they find out the others are missing, they're going to be so furious it should be a lot of fun for me :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Louis definitely an idiot and possibly a feeling guilty idiot after he learns what Treville and the others have suffered through, especially after the words he says today. I'm looking forward to our other muskys learning the truth about their missing brothers... I have it planned in my head and if I can get it to translate from my mind to the screen properly then it should be a good read for you all :D Hmm D'Art's not really okay but he'll live. Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - You're the 850th reviewer! I was thinking you weren't going to review today, this was a late one for you hope you're okay :) Louis definitely pissed at our boys and Captain though he might consider being a bit lenient to them once he learns what they suffered through. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Haha yeah Treville is definitely not happy about Louis arrival but I just couldn't resist adding him in. Our annoying King turned out slightly different to how I was planning but I kinda like how the conversation progressed, hopefully you enjoy it too :) With everything going on the very last thing poor Treville wants to be doing is placating the childish king... On the plus side though he does have Anne on his side, who I really enjoyed writing :D The musketeers may have more men but will they find our missing boys before my evil mind really lets loose that's the question :D I'm loving Porthos in this chapter, his protectiveness is coming out in full force and I really hope you like it too :D Marcel's pretty much got nothing left to lose (in his mind at least) at this point so he's feeling particularly vindictive. Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading. Love you all! You guys are awesome! *gives cookies*

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Seventy-Two: Painful Conversations

Treville did his best to hide his displeasure at King Louis's dismissive attitude as the pair entered the royal palace. The monarch had been adamant at refusing to listen to the Captain until they returned and were in the throne room, despite Treville's multiple attempts to explain the situation he and his men now found themselves in.

Matters were only made worse for the musketeer Captain when, on their way to the throne room, they passed a very smug Richelieu. It took everything he had not to punch the smug look off of the man's face, knowing he was just as responsible, if not more, for the events that happened in Savoy as he himself was and as such was also partly responsible for creating the anger in both Daviau and Marcel that led them to lash out at his men.

Thankfully Richelieu was wise enough not to comment as they passed, no doubt having seen the anger brewing in Treville's eyes. He did however; try to follow the pair into the throne room, eager to hear both what was going on and Treville getting raged at by the King. Louis noticed their addition fairly quickly and wasted no time in dismissing the now irritated Cardinal, wanting to speak to the Captain alone.

"Captain Treville," smiled Queen Anne as she rose from her throne as the pair entered the room, having been left behind to deal with matters of state whilst Louis was away hunting. Unlike her husband who had been furious with his departure, Anne had been nearly beside herself with worry for the Captain and his men, knowing that something serious must have happened to keep him away from the city for as long as it did.

"My Queen," smiled Treville as he bowed, quickly attempting to hide the flash of pain that passed across his face as the action pulled his already throbbing wound.

Unfortunately for him, Anne noticed the action and her face filled with worry, "You're hurt?" she asked as she took a step forward, phrasing it as a question despite already knowing the answer. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a small flash of worry enter Louis's eyes, but it was quickly covered by the annoyance and anger the King was feeling for the musketeer Captain.

"It's been tended to Your Majesty," reassured Treville, his hand coming to rest lightly against his wound as he fought back another grimace of pain. "It's healing but unfortunately recent events have only served to irritate it. I'll be fine in time though and your concern is heartwarming Your Majesty, thank you."

"How did you acquire such a wound?" asked Anne, deciding to try and temper her husband's anger as much as she could by starting off the questioning in a calm manner.

"We were ambushed soon after reaching our destination," explained Treville, doing his best to keep the details vague for the young woman he was talking to. "Myself and one of my men were grievously injured while many other suffered smaller wounds."

Anne's hand came to cover her mouth as a small gasp escaped her, worry once again filling her expression. Seeing this Treville was quick to reassure her.

"Thankfully, despite multiple attempts to prove otherwise, I lost no men during this excursion Your Majesties. I have several injured and many in serious need of a long rest but they all still live." Treville felt a sick feeling settle in his stomach at his words. When he had left the garrison, three of his men had been missing. For all he knew the words he had just told the monarchs had been a lie, though he was quick to push that thought out of his mind, not wanting to even think about that possibility and what it would end up doing to his regiment if it was true.

"Why did you even leave in the first place?" huffed Louis as he practically flopped himself onto his throne.

"Your Majesty?" queried Treville, not quite understanding what was being asked of him.

"You heard me Captain, why did you leave? There are plenty of men in your regiment; surely one of them could have gone in your place… Not that I see why the trip was even needed in the first place."

Treville's eyes grew wide as his hands clenched into fists at the King's heartless dismissal of what had occurred.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, knowing from experience that anger would not help him here, Treville explained. "Two of my best men had been captured and were in the process of being tortured for information. I could not just sit back and do nothing while this occurred."

"Surely your men are trained to handle such situations Captain," sneered Louis, "They are members of the King's musketeers after all. They shouldn't need their Captain to come to their rescue every time something happens to them on a mission."

Anne watched worriedly as Treville struggled not to respond to the slur against his men with the anger he was clearly feeling.

"Captain Treville is loyal to his men My King," spoke Anne softly, desperately hoping to calm some of her husband's anger, or at the very least, give Treville time to collect his so he didn't say or do something he would regret. "Surely he shouldn't be punished for that loyalty?"

For a moment Anne thought she had succeeded when she saw the hard expression on Louis's face soften just a bit, but as soon as he opened his mouth she knew she hadn't.

"His loyalty," spat Louis, rising from his throne to glare hard at the musketeer Captain. "Should be with his King! He had no business going traipsing through the countryside on an unauthorized rescue mission! Your place is in Paris Treville, I thought you understood that when you took on the role as Captain though maybe a wrong choice was made."

Both Queen Anne and Captain Treville felt any words of protest they might have said, still in their mouths at the King's words.

Anne looked horrified at what her husband had said and what he was implying. She was about to speak up on the Captain's behalf when she noticed Treville subtly shake his head at her, knowing that her defense of him would do little to help his case at the moment.

"Your Majesty," said Treville with such calmness that it surprised even him as he bowed low to the fuming monarch. "My men are able to function as well as they do on missions because they know that I have their backs should something happen. Normally, yes I wouldn't have been part of the rescue party, but considering the circumstances I had no choice but to go."

The calmness of Treville's voice, along with the passion burning in his eyes as he spoke seemed to be enough to placate the King's anger, albeit temporarily.

"Circumstances?" Louis asked, trying not to sound too curious as he questioned the man he had all but insulted earlier.

Sighing softly at her husband's sudden mood change Anne turned back to Treville, "Maybe you should start at the beginning Captain."

As the sound of footsteps drew closer Porthos began trying to move as close to his still dazed young friend as he could, fully intending to try and protect him from what was about to happen. Unfortunately it seemed their captor had anticipated this sort of reaction as their restraints allowed them to get close but not close enough to be of any use.

Porthos was all but growling in frustration when the door opened and a familiar man entered, followed quickly by two others.

"Marcel," spat Corbett, anger burning brightly in his eyes as his mind recalled all the injuries his comrades had suffered whilst also replaying the image of his Captain, one of the first men to have received the musketeer's complete and total trust and loyalty, with a pistol aimed at his chest courtesy of the man in front of them now.

"Thought you'd be out of Paris by now," remarked Porthos, trying his best to keep his tone light as his eyes warily watched the men before him. He didn't like the sick grin on one of Marcel's men's face as he looked at D'Artagnan, the boy still struggling to do as he had been asked by Porthos and to stay awake.

"I have unfinished business," stated Marcel casually as he observed the men before him.

"Come near Aramis or the Captain again and I'll end you," growled Porthos, having heard the promise underlining Marcel's words.

The man smirked, "I think you should be more concerned at your current predicament then worrying about things yet to happen," he said darkly before signaling his men who each went to a different prisoner, one to D'Artagnan, who was too out of it to properly attempt to defend himself and one to Corbett. Each man quickly and without warning, launching a powerful kick to the chained men's stomach's, smirking at the gasps of pain as all the air was knocked from their lungs.

"DON'T TOUCH THEM!" roared Porthos as he pulled at his restraints as much as he could in his attempt to launch himself at Marcel.

"I don't think you understand your position here musketeer," sneered Marcel as he nodded towards the man nearest D'Artagnan.

Porthos watched in horror as the man smirked before grabbing D'Artagnan's broken arm tightly. That alone was enough to have the young Gascon howling in pain but the man followed it up by slowly twisting the limb, pulling out beyond pained sounds from the now crying young man.

"STOP IT!" screamed Porthos, his eyes wide with worry and anger as he tried to reach his friend. When the man continued his slow torture of the Gascon, Porthos swallowed his pride and turned back to Marcel.

"Please," he begged, hating himself for doing it but knowing he would hate himself more if he didn't try to get them to leave his friend alone. "Please…"

Marcel looked inordinately pleased with himself at the sight of the larger musketeer begging and allowed himself a couple of extra seconds to enjoy the sight before ordering the man to stop his assault on D'Artagnan.

The second his arm was released D'Artagnan pulled it tight to his chest as he curled up into himself as much as he was able.

With Porthos's attention now completely on their young friend Corbett decided to take up the talking mantle, hoping that the longer he could keep Marcel talking the longer it would be before he ordered his men to torture them.

"So why are we here?" he asked, not even bothering to hide his disdain for the man in front of him from his voice as he spoke. "What are you planning?"

"Personally," said Marcel as he turned away from Porthos, who was quietly trying to soothe D'Artagnan, the pair of them ignoring the rest of the room's occupants. "You're here because of bad luck on your part," shrugged Marcel as he stood in front of a now confused Corbett. "As a group though…" at this Marcel's expression turned dark. "As a group, you're bait."