Updated: Monday 4/09/2023


Chapter 2: The Return


It was raining when the two-family groups plus one other entered Paris for the first time in years. They had meet up a few months ago when it was clear they were being targeted and found it safer to be together and try to find out what was going on.

When they did the group realised that one other was in serious danger. That their younger brother didn't know about the threat on his life.

So besides coming to Paris for protection they were here to help and protect their brother. Who they were ashamed to admit they hadn't talked to in eight years. They knew they had failed him terribly.

Athos the older of the group was the former Captain of the Musketeers. He left after experiencing too much and he wanted a more peaceful life, he wanted a calmer and stressless life, with his now wife Sylvie and the 5 children that come with the marriage. He had been happy. But something was missing in his life. And he was ashamed to admit it took him a while to figure out what was missing or the who. It was his brothers. His youngest brothers more specifically. And he felt so much guilt for how he left things and for all the years of silence. He hoped returning to Paris he could mend what he had so thoughtfully destroyed. He was in a better place mentally now and he wanted to sure that to D'Artagnan in hopes he would understand where he was coming from.

Porthos was in the same boat as Athos. He left for a more peaceful and simple life with his wife Elodie and with his one adopted daughter and three other children he had also been happy. But like Athos he felt something was missing and like Athos he knew what or who it was. D'Artagnan. Who he had ignored for the past eight years. He didn't even know if he was in Paris anymore. For all they knew D'Artagnan could have left Paris. But they had to warn him even if D'Artagnan didn't believe them. But Porthos knew they had to at least try. After everything they had been through and all the wrong turns that he, Athos and Aramis had done in the last 8 years. They owed it to the lad.

Aramis the only one in the group without a wife and children had his own guilt. He had been so focused on his pain and his woes that he hadn't spared a thought to all his brothers leaving their youngest behind. He was wrapped with guilt about not even talking to D'Artagnan in those eight years. God knows what D'Artagnan thought of him, what he thought of all of them. Hopefully this was Gods plan to bring them back together to face this foe and survive. With D'Artagnan at their side Aramis was sure they could face this danger.

But what would D'Artagnan do when he saw them?

Would he even agree to see them?

They had each discussed this issue with each other over the nights they had been travelling to Paris and they all knew D'Artagnan probably wouldn't take this well.

They had also discussed what they believed D'Artagnan would be doing now and whether or not he even still was in Paris or not. Would he and Constance have retired and had a family by now? As Athos believed having a family and being a Musketeer wouldn't be easy and would probably have had their brother choosing to retire and do something else to support his family.

There was no doubt in their minds that D'Artagnan and Constance would have had their happily ever after by now. After everything they had been through they deserved that much.

And Athos, Porthos and Aramis were looking forward to seeing the fiery woman again and meet the children they knew D'Artagnan had wanted.

"So where do we go first?" Porthos asks his brothers.

"The palace for now. I just hope Treville is still Minister", Athos replies.

They nod in agreement and they move the cart with their children through the streets of Paris. Nobody giving them a second look. Which Athos, Porthos and Aramis liked very much. Compared to the last time they were here. But then they had to remember they didn't have their pauldrons anymore and nothing to identify them as former Musketeers. So why would anyone pay any attention to them?

They made it too the palace without any troubles. But now they had to get in and the Musketeers that guarded the palace were looking at them wearily.

"You can't be here. Leave the grounds", one Musketeer tells them.

"We need to speak to the First Minister", Athos tells him.

"Why would the First Minister want to see you?" the Second Musketeer asks them.

"Don't waste our time. Leave with your wives and children", the first tells them.

"No one sees the First Minister without an appointment or unless you're the Captain of the Musketeers or the Queen", the Second Musketeer tells them.

"Is Treville still the Minister?" Aramis asks them.
"Yes but I don't see how that changes anything", the first Musketeer tells them.

"Please tell him Athos, Porthos and Aramis are here with their families. They need to speak to him on a matter of most importance and grave", Athos tells them.

"And that could possible lead to death for us and for someone we care about", Aramis adds.

The two Musketeers share a look and glace at them suspiciously. They knew those names. How could they not? But was it really the famous Three of the Four Inseparables?

Well only two people could answer that Minister Treville and the Captain and they would rather face the Minister with this issue then their Captain who has already made his feelings of these Three Former Musketeers quite clear. Speaking of Captain, oh how their Captain was going to love this.

"I will go inform the Minister. Wait here", the Second Musketeer says and leaves them with the First.

"I hope for your sake your not lying as seeing Minister Treville mad is not on my do list for today…"


(Line Break)


Treville sighs he was snowed under with paperwork. But this was part of his job and you would think he would have gotten used to it by now. He knew D'Artagnan had his fair share of paperwork. But his was ridiculous.

Suddenly a knock sounds from his door.

"Come", Treville calls not looking up from his desk.
"Sir we have a situation at the front gates", one of the Musketeers who was stationed at the palace today tells him.

Treville hated to admit it but he didn't know the Musketeers name. He knew D'Artagnan knew the name of every Musketeer under his command. Which was what made him a good Captain. Besides the fact that D'Artagnan made it his mission to be apart of each of his Musketeers training one way or another.

"I am sure you can handle it", Treville says dismissively.
"I am not sure about that Sir"

"And why not?" Treville asks finally looking up at the nervous Musketeers face.

"Because of who is asking to speak to you Sir"

"Nobody sees me without an appointment unless their royalty or your Captain", Treville tells them.

"We know that Sir. But they quite insistent. And then they gave us their names Sir"

"And what names could possibly grant them an audience with me?" Treville asks him.

"Athos, Porthos, Aramis and their families Sir"

Treville freezes oh if it was them, he didn't know whether to be relieved or be scared for those three lives when the Captain of the Musketeers found out about them. What could possible have bought them back to Paris after 8 years?

He didn't know whether to be relieved his prays were answered or fearful that the reappearance of those three could send D'Artagnan into a fit of rage.

"That would do it"


*~*~Author's Note: What Do You Think? Please Review:)!~*~*