Updated: Tuesday 26th/09/2023

Chapter 6: Long Awaited Reunion

Athos, Porthos and Aramis couldn't believe who was standing just a few feet from them. This shouldn't be possible.

He was dead.

He. Was. Dead.

But then again nobody had found his body or his personal effects. And nobody had seen him die. So, it could be possible, couldn't it?

And they couldn't be ALL having the same hallucination too, could they? Unless they had been drugged or poisoned. And they didn't believe they had been. And having a concussion all at the same time and hallucinating the same things wasn't possible.

Maybe they were so sleep deprived they had conjured him up. But he looked and sounded too real for that. And the feeling he gave off was something that couldn't be replicated in a dream.

So, the only explanation was that he WAS real.

"D'Artagnan?" Athos asks weakly.

The Gascon smiles at him. It wasn't as bright as the smiles they remembered him to have and didn't have mischief in them like they used too either. But it was still him.

"It is me. I can say this is a shock to me as I didn't expect this. But I know you all thought I was dead so it is more of a surprise to you. At least I had the belief you all were still alive. Even if I was unable to get in contact with you", D'Artagnan tells them honestly wincing at the twinge going down his right leg.

A sure sign that it might go into full spasms or even give out from under him. And D'Artagnan REALLY didn't want that. That would be a GREAT way to be reunited with his brothers. By giving them a heart attack after they learnt he was alive after thinking he was dead.

But Aramis even in his shocked state manages to assess some of the health problems of their returned Little Brother. And he didn't like what he was seeing. And the way he was leaning on that doorframe and balancing also on a cane wasn't too promising. Aramis also saw how thin the young Gascon looked. Also, he didn't look like he had been sleeping much and the lines and tight muscles in his face spoke volumes. D'Artagnan was in pain but was trying to hide it and was feeling a lot of stress and the way he shifted uncomfortable wasn't good either.

Before he could speak the Innkeeper speaks.

"Back to your own business everyone. Our friend here would like at least some privacy!" Tom calls.

That's when the Musketeers noticed that the patrons of the Inn had all stopped what they were doing and staying at them.

They noticed D'Artagnan sigh and roll his eyes, as he noticed everyone was looking at him. Many actually were looking at their Little Brother in worry and concern.

"I am fine. Go about your business. I am sure my Brothers will be doing enough worrying for all of us", D'Artagnan jokes with the regular townsfolk, "And I am sure you all have better things to do!"

All who are there chuckle at him and quickly go back to what they are doing.

Aramis could tell that D'Artagnan may be trying to joke but he was uncomfortable with all this attention. Which he wouldn't have minded before.

And Aramis noticed that D'Artagnan was looking at them nervously now and Aramis rolls his eyes as Athos and Porthos seemed to have frozen again. It looked like it was up to him to get the young, tired, stressed, injured and thin, Gascon off his feet.

Aramis moves slowly approaching his Younger Brother. Not sure how he would be processed by the boy after so long and after whatever he had been through.

"Aramis", D'Artagnan murmurs as he approaches and when Aramis had gotten to within arm's length the marksman found he was in a bony hug by the boy.

Aramis could feel the relief coming off the Lad in waves. And to his horror he could feel the Gascon's ribs and felt some scars. These issues Aramis was determined to be addressed. After they bring Athos and Porthos out of their walking comas.

"I am so glad to see you Aramis", D'Artagnan tells him honestly.

"You won't believe how good it feels to know everyone was wrong about your 'death'", Aramis tells him giving him a gentle squeeze.

"Me too", D'Artagnan jokes weakly.

Aramis eyes him up and down, "We WILL talk later as even after 7 months apart you can't fool me. But we need to knock Athos and Porthos out of their trance. And you NEED to sit down! You look like you can barely stand! That a good breeze would knock you over!"

He snorts and mutters, "The mother henning has already started with only a minute of contact"

D'Artagnan wasn't going to argue about what Aramis said. And anyway, he would also like some comfort from the other two. Who were still as still as statues. Actually he really wanted the comfort that Athos provided by just being near him.

He pushes up from the doorway and leans heavily on his cane. He knows Aramis was watching him like a hawk. Analysing his every move. But unlike how he would make an effort to hide his injuries before he knew he had no hope know. And he was way too tired after months of stress, worry and fear to try.

Aramis went on the opposite side to the one he was using to use his cane. D'Artagnan was grateful for that. As it was giving him a bit more confidence.

He finally made it to an arm's length of Athos and Porthos and he reached out to touch Porthos first. He didn't know why. But something deep inside of him was wanting to save Athos for last. As his mind also associated him with protection, safety, strength and comfort. If you believe that.

"Porthos?" D'Artagnan murmurs touching his big friend's arm.

That seems to snap Porthos out of it and he quickly not realising that the Gascon was weak pulled him into a bear hug. The sudden jolt made D'Artagnan gasp in pain and nearly go weak at the knees. His mind fogs over with pain and surprise and slight fear.

"Porthos!" D'Artagnan hears Aramis exclaim.

Porthos hurriedly lets go but has enough presence of mind now to know that the Gascon was obviously injured and he hadn't helped. He did also notice the Gascon looked a little weak in the legs.

"I am so sorry D'Artagnan! Did I hurt you? I hurt you didn't I? Aramis come and look at him…I…", Porthos was starting to panic now and the little headache that had started to come pounding in D'Artagnan's head was getting worse.

"Porthos I am fine", D'Artagnan says weakly leaning more carefully and heavily on his cane.

Aramis and Porthos give him looks showing they didn't believe him for a minute.

"I hurt you, didn't I? I know I did! I am so sorry; I just can't believe you are alive and well! Well not exactly well now that I look at you more…", Porthos rambles on.

D'Artagnan was about to try and stop the large mans rambling again but suddenly a shakily hand, slowly and hesitantly goes to touch his arm out of the corner of his eye. D'Artagnan was distracted with Porthos, his pain, his headache and his tiredness and didn't see Athos hand coming to touch his hand.

The result made the Gascon jump in fright as the hand touched his shoulder unexpectedly. And it was the shoulder that his kidnappers had injured all those months ago. Which bought back bad memories.

Logically he knew the hand was safe. That it was Athos. That it was his Big Brother. But he had gotten distracted and…well he didn't mean to act the way he did.

He had jumped back from the touch and tumbled/fell into the open chair with a gasp of pain. He startled all three of his Brothers at the fear in his face and his fall into the chair. Also, with his gasp of pain.

He screwed his eyes shut and took deep breaths to try and control the pain and cursed himself for just scaring his Brothers and probably giving the wrong impression to Athos.

He heard his Brothers frantically trying to find out what was wrong and he heard Athos's intact of breath and knew his mentor would believe he was scared of him. Which couldn't be farer from the truth.

So quicker then they expected his arm shot out and grabbed Athos arm before he could move out of his reach. He clutched his mentor's arm tightly as he rode out the pain. He could hear Aramis trying to get his attention. Porthos freaking out and he felt Athos devastation, fear and confusion by his acts right now.

Suddenly a woman he had known for the past four months breaks through the haze of pain.

"What is going on here Monsieur's? What is going on here?"

(Line Break)

To say the Musketeers had been on a ride with their emotions in the last several minutes would be an understatement. D'Artagnan's pained gasp as Porthos pulled him into a bear hug had been a surprise. Well maybe not to Aramis as he had taken the last few minutes to study their thought to be dead brothers' appearance and he hadn't liked what he saw and hadn't had time to stop Porthos. But then D'Artagnan's reaction to Athos touching his arm had been REALLY unexpected.

D'Artagnan's face had pure fear. And Aramis could see that D'Artagnan's reaction had devastated Athos. And Aramis could see Athos believed D'Artagnan either blamed him or was scared of him. So, he dropped his hand from D'Artagnan's arm like he was burned. As D'Artagnan fell into one of the open chairs and let out a small cry of pain. Making them NEARLY all surge around their Little Brother trying to see what was wrong.

Athos had tried moving away to give his protegee the space he needed as he believed D'Artagnan was afraid of him. He only wanted touch him to see that his protegee was well and truly here. But to not only his surprise but theirs as well D'Artagnan's hand had snapped out and latched onto Athos's hand. Holding on tightly. As they could see D'Artagnan trying to control his breathing as it kept hitching in pain. That was when he squeezed Athos's arm a little more.

"D'Artagnan what is wrong?" Aramis asks trying to get the Gascon's attention.

"D'Artagnan, you need to tell us what is wrong Lad. You have us worried", Porthos tells him hovering around the Gascon not knowing what to do but he was starting to freak out. Something like this had NEVER happened before.

Athos didn't dare move as his Brother was surprising holding onto to his arm in a tight grip. And as his breathing hitched so did his grip tighten for a minute before relaxing slightly. He didn't understand wasn't the Lad scared of him?

"What is going on here Monsieur's? What is going on here?" they heard a female voice ask.

They see an older woman heading over to them looking worried as she took all of them standing, crouched and half-crouched around the man she had been helping to care for.

"This is our friend. We are just trying to get him to tell us what happened", Aramis says trying to be calm.

"What happened in the minutes leading up to this?" the woman asks.

Aramis hesitantly tells her. Something told him this woman could help give them some of the answers they needed.

"Oh, I see. Monsieur's let me assure you that your Brother has no rational fear of you. You startled him and he was obviously holding onto his pain. He must have overdone it on his exercises today and is tired and in pain. My guess is he also had a very bad night's sleep and another guess, by his pinched expression is that he has a headache too. All those things makes him especially jumpy and add to the fact of your surprise arrival it didn't help much. But then again it DID help too", the woman tells them making them confused.

"What…", Athos asks confused going to move but the woman holds out her hand to stop him.

"Don't Monsieur Athos move. D'Artagnan believe it or not will feel more secure and safe with you. From what I have learned during his fevered rambling he trusts each of you very much. But holds you Monsieur Athos slightly above the other two. So let him clutch your arm while I try and bring him back enough for us to assist him to his room. Tom!" the woman calls.

"Yes Madame?" Tom asks coming over.

"Have the Musketeers been given rooms yet?" she asks.

"No. They haven't asked and I do believe they are going to fight to stay in that young man's room. That is why we moved him in to a bigger one just in case and for his needs", Tom replies.

"Then have extra cots, blankets and pillows bought up. They are going to need them", the woman orders.

"I'll have it done. Should I send one of my daughters for your husband?" Tom asks her.

The woman purses his lips in thought.

"We will see how we go. I believe Monsieur Aramis will be of great help. But he will need to know what treatment that has already be done", the woman starts looking at each of the concerned Musketeers who were torn between listening to her and helping their Brother who had still yet to open his eyes and the trembling in his leg to stop.

"We wait. Monsieur D'Artagnan can make up his mind. We will give it a couple of days if we must. But then I will have Phillipe come and see if we can talk sense into this stubborn boy", the woman says, "Please boil some water too"

The woman then turns to the Musketeers and her 'patient'.

"Gentleman I am Helena. My husband and myself have been looking after your brother for the past few months. So please be patient with your questions. At the moment we have to concentrate on helping this young man we love so much. So, Monsieur Athos let him keep a hold of your arm until he willingly lets it go and move so you can be in his eyesight when he opens his eyes. Monsieur Aramis you will help me assess D'Artagnan's state. Monsieur Porthos you may be needed to help gently carry D'Artagnan to his room if he is unable to transverse the stairs safely", Helena orders them.

Since they basically had no choice but to trust the woman, they move to do what she says. Helena kneels in front of the pain-stunned man.

"D'Artagnan, I need you to listen to me. Your safe. I am here. Helena, you remember me, right?" Helena asks softly, "The one who listened to all those fascinating tales you told of your Brothers and how you were sure they would somehow find you. And how they would NEVER hurt you willingly or knowingly. Can you remember that?"

Athos, Porthos and Aramis's eyes widen hearing what D'Artagnan spoke about them. But they notice D'Artagnan weakly nods his head. His eyes still closed.

"Your Brothers are here finally D'Artagnan and you shouldn't worry them like this so early on, no? It will only make them more overprotective, no?" Helena asks teasingly.

D'Artagnan weakly shakes his head and squeezes Athos arm before slowly opening his eyes. And Aramis could see they were slightly clouded by pain and panic. But it seemed having Athos in D'Artagnan's line of sight was the right call by Helena as soon as the Gascon's eyes landed on him D'Artagnan's breathing slowed a bit more and the panic in his eyes seemed to fade just leaving pain and weariness.

"M'fine", D'Artagnan mumbles blushing a little bit.

Helena and the others snort at that. The Musketeers look at her.

"He has done that line with you too?" Aramis asks amused.

"Oh yes, he has. But my husband and I know the truth so it doesn't work with us. So, we do things the hard way that normally ends with him pouting a lot if he ends up in that sort of mood or making himself so exhausted that he sets back his recovery", Helena teases.

"Do not", D'Artagnan mumbles tiredly.

"Not lately", Helena amends, "As you were trying to get to your goal of going back to Paris to get to your Brothers that you were sure were grieving your supposed death. Was he right about that?" Helena asks them.

They look surprised at that. So, now they knew D'Artagnan was well aware that he was believed to have died. But why was he trying to get himself to Paris, besides to tell them he was ok, when he could send a message. This puzzle was getting more complicated.

"Yes, we have been grieving for 5 and a half months. The Captain had to call it after 6 weeks", Porthos replies hovering nervously.

"Thought that", D'Artagnan mumbles, "They even told me that"

Before the Musketeers could question that Helena butts in.

"I know this is an obvious question. But are you in pain and you better be honest with me young man, otherwise I believe your friends will have a few words to say", Helena warns him.

D'Artagnan seems to gather strength and seemed to be pulling himself together during the banter.
"Leg…head…", D'Artagnan states simply.

That is when Aramis and the others notice D'Artagnan's right leg was jerking slightly. It was the leg that Aramis had seen D'Artagnan was avoiding put much weight on it.

"Can you get back up the stairs? I would say you better finish this reunion with your Brothers in private and let your Brother Aramis have a look at you now", Helena tells him.

D'Artagnan looks at the stairs and grimaces. He had already been up and down those stairs twice today. But he didn't want to show just how screwed up he was too his Brothers. But he wasn't willing to be parted from them either.

So, he was internally battling with himself. But he could see his Brothers were worried. Especially Athos. Who he just realised was still letting him clutch his arm.

"I'll need a little help", D'Artagnan admits much to his Brothers surprise.

He looks at his Brothers.

"I am sorry to have scared you. But would it be too much trouble for some help. I think I'll need more help than just Helena could provide. But if your uncomfortable I can get Tom…"

"No, we will help. If your comfortable with that", Aramis butts in giving Athos and Porthos a look.

"I am", D'Artagnan replies but they could all tell he was unsure.

"Monsieur Athos help him gently with right side, just let him start to do the work leaning on the cane. If you feel he gets unsteady at any point start to take over more of the weight. But be careful as you do so. That side is the most delicate at the moment. Monsieur Porthos take the left. Be careful. But that is not the bad side", Helena tells them, "Monsieur Aramis will go behind him to make sure he doesn't fall back and I'll take the lead"

They move to do what she says.

"Ready D'Artagnan?" Helena asks him.

D'Artagnan takes a deep breath and nods and heaves himself up with the cane. They stand for a few seconds as it looked like for a second that D'Artagnan was going to kneel over but he seemed to have been able to gather himself.

As he started shuffling forward. Not really lifting the right leg. Aramis was taking key notes in this. As everything he was seeing was going to have to be talked about at a later time. Like when they get their newly returned Brother into a bed for some obvious much needed rest.

He vaguely realises that the patrons of the Inn had causally moved out of the way. So, they didn't have to navigate around furniture.

Porthos also noticed this as he was expecting to move things out of their way. But it appears the patrons had already done the work without being asked.

Athos's mind was overwhelmed with all that it had happened in the last hour. What he really wanted right now was to drown himself in a bottle of wine. But the look of pain, fear, exhaustion in his newly returned protegee's face made him stop and think about this. He had been given a second chance at being the Big Brother that D'Artagnan deserved and he was not willing to mess this up again and something told him whoever did this to his Brother was still out there and D'Artagnan had quite a story to tell.

So, the wine could wait.

For now…As all that now matter was making sure their Brother was safe and comfortable. But something told him all of this was just the beginning…

But the beginning of what?...

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