Disclaimer: All Characters belong to their original owners.
Author's Note: I am Handicapped with Aspergers, Dyslexia, OCD, ADHD and a whole lot more so please bare that in mind if my spelling is off. I use spell checker. I also have a slight mental disability so please excuse any mistakes. I do the best I can with writing these stories and trying to post chapters. Also, I am a very sick person so there will be periods where I don't update. But ALL my stories will be updated eventually.
Also, when I come up with a story idea, I can't stop myself from writing it down and posting it. I literally can't sleep to I have written it down. So that is why there are so many stories.
At the moment I am having problems with my brain chemistry and it is hard to write for my older stories even through I know where they are going. So please, please hang on in there. I haven't abandoned ANY of my stories. But with my brain chemistry problem and my Mum's deteriorating health everything has been crazy.
Happy 31st Birthday too me! Also, Happy 57th Birthday to my Dad!
Enjoy!
Introduction
Similar to my stories of 'The Bonds of Brotherhood'. But both Athos and D'Artagnan are presumed dead. Aramis and Porthos are self-destructing over the loss of their Brothers. But what they don't know is that they are both alive. Not all whole. But alive and are coming back to them. For the sake of France, they must be back, but most importantly for their self-destructing brothers Aramis and Porthos…
Chapter 1: Leaving
Two Musketeers were preparing to leave the town they had been recovering in for the past 5 months of their 7 months they had been away from Paris.
They had been captured and tortured for information about France, The King and Queen, the Armies and so much more. But after two months the elder of the Musketeers was able to help get the younger one and himself out. But even too this day he wasn't sure quite how he managed it. But it probably had something to do with the younger musketeer who he thought as a Little Brothers state. Of course, his state was probably just as dire. But all he could think about was getting his Brother out of there before he deteriorated any farther physically or mentally.
When they had been found not far from the town the locals didn't think either of them would make it. But the local Doctor and his Healer wife took a chance on them. And it was the right chance. As both of the Musketeers had fought for life and won against death multiple times to finally be able to rebuild their physically and mental strength again.
Now after 5 months of recuperation they were ready to make the long journey to Paris and back to their other two brothers who they were sure were suffering greatly these last 7 months they had been 'dead'.
They just couldn't wait to go back to Paris and relieve them of their burden of guilt, blame and grief.
But they knew this wouldn't be an easy trip. Afterall all of their messages to Paris they assumed hadn't arrived. Otherwise, they were sure their brothers would have been tearing the town apart just to get to them and be by their side.
So, they assumed the letters had been intercepted. So, they could possibly face foes on their journey back. But hopefully they wouldn't be recognised without their musketeer pauldrons.
The town folk had given them so much without payment. But the two Musketeers had tried to pay them back with helping with odd jobs around the town, balancing the books, looking after the children or helping to teach some children how to spar. As both of the Musketeers had to rebuild their skills after so long without using them and getting used to balancing their fighting style with the ongoing health battles.
But the health battles were getting better as time went on and the Doctor and the Healer both agreed that they would probably make a full recovery in time.
Now they were healthy enough to make the trip.
"Have you got the herbs for the Pain, Muscle and Sleeping Draughts as well as Nausea and other herbs and medical supplies that I believe that could help you?" the middle-aged Healer asks them.
"Athos is carrying them in his bags", the young Musketeer confirms quietly.
"The Salves and different teas?" she asks.
"I have those too", Athos tells her.
"The food, the clothing and the blankets we have given you?" the Doctor asks them.
"D'Artagnan has them", Athos confirms nodding at his Little Brother.
"Then we have a few other things that should be added to your supplies", the Doctor tells them pulling out two swords in their sheaths.
The same swords the two Brothers-in-all-but-blood had been practicing with.
"Monsieur we couldn't possibly", D'Artagnan protests.
"After all we know they have been in your family for a long time", Athos adds.
"I insist. As they were only gathering dust before you two came along. I am pleased they are going to worthy people", the Doctor tells them.
They both take the swords and attach them onto their belts.
"Also a few of us have pitched in the provide a couple of pistols and bullets for you to help better your protection and a couple of knives", the Doctor tells them.
They each were handed Three Pistols each and three knives with one dagger.
"We really shouldn't be accepting this. You have all done to much for us", Athos tells them quietly, "As you have never gave up on us, you have given us a second chance with life and have taken us in for free. Even when our moods were less then pleasant"
"Think nothing of it. We took a chance and it paid off. And as for not paying your way, which is what I assume you meant, you have paid it by doing all those jobs around here. That has made many businesses profit", the Healer tells them.
D'Artagnan blushes at that and Athos tilts his head in acknowledgement.
"We as a community also want to give you this", the Innkeeper says coming forward with a porch.
Athos takes up and opens it to find a small pile of coins.
"We can't take this from you", Athos tells them trying to hand them back.
"No, no you keep it. You need to get home in one piece after all to get to reunite with your soon to be overprotective brothers", the Innkeepers wife teases them.
Athos gives a small quirk of his lips knowing that his brothers were going to be overprotective of him and D'Artagnan when they find out they were alive and what they had been through and it would be unlikely those two would let them out of their sights anytime soon.
D'Artagnan gave his Older Brother a look that said he was in agreement with Athos thoughts and the Innkeepers Wife's statement.
Besides these gifts they had also been given two horses. These townspeople had done everything for them and both Musketeers were determined one day to come back and repay their kindness.
"We WILL come back and repay you all someday", Athos tells them as D'Artagnan says goodbye to the children.
The people smile.
"We will hold you too that", the Blacksmith tells them.
They all knew that was a lie. The townspeople didn't expect them to come back and repay them.
"Take good care of that saddle D'Artagnan as I would expect you will need it for sometime yet", the Blacksmith tells him.
"I will", D'Artagnan promises.
The saddle had been made to support and stabilize his bad leg. That he had nearly lost or nearly was paralysed in. The stirrups were designed to help support the bad leg when it went numb suddenly or when the painful spasms stated. Both troubles came on suddenly. But he had gained more control over that leg and sometimes he could nearly walk probably without a limp. But that part wasn't very often.
D'Artagnan limps to his horse with his cane taking half his weight. Athos comes over and helps him into the saddle. D'Artagnan winces at the movement of his leg.
"You, ok?" Athos asks him quietly.
D'Artagnan nods, "I just have to get used to it more", as he makes sure his right leg is secure.
They both had been riding in the last 3 months of the 5 of their recovery and they were still getting used to riding again. This trip back would be the longest they have been in the saddle for over 7 months.
Athos nods and tucks D'Artagnan's cane, (that had been made as a gift from the local crafts maker), into the special holds for it on D'Artagnan's saddle. Then he heaves himself into the saddle after clasping hands with the Doctor, Innkeeper and the Blacksmith.
He winces at the movement of his arm. Much like D'Artagnan he had a limb that was badly damaged. That being his left arm. But again, like D'Artagnan's injury it was getting better as time went on.
"Thank you all for your generosity and your care. We will be sure to come back and thank you probably one day", Athos tells them.
"If he doesn't I will", D'Artagnan adds with a small mischievous smile on his face.
One of only a few he had given in the past 7 months.
And Athos rolls his eyes again one of one a few times he had done so in the past 7 months.
The children giggle at that.
"Goodbye for now", Athos says dipping his hat with D'Artagnan copying him a second later.
They turn their horses towards the road out of the town and with one final look they start to slowly leave and make their journey home at last…
~~Author's Note: What Do You Think? Please Review!:)~~