Athos landed the ship on the riverfront, the safest place he could find to set it that was nearest the hospital. After ushering his friends inside, he took off for the palace. He must leave word with Captain de Treville on the way!
Aramis, Kitty, and Porthos accompanied D'Artagnan and Felice into the hospital. They waited in the sitting room for news on them both. When Planchet arrived, Aramis then instructed him to head home and begin supper, plus arrange sleeping plans for Kitty. The girl had been distraught the entire time, and Aramis needed her to focus on something else, he needed to find a way for the poor girl to feel useful. "I don't want to leave Miss Felice, sir!" Kitty argued. "I's gotta help her."
"There, there, little one." Porthos patted her small arms. "You've helped enough. Go home and take it easy. You've had a wild morning. Go on."
"But-"
"Do as he says, Kitty. Go." Aramis said. Planchet held out his hand toward her and the little girl took it with tears in her eyes. As the two unlikely companions departed, Aramis anxiously waited for the doctor to come out and inform him on Felice's condition. He prayed earnestly for her and her brother. They couldn't lose them!
He'd tried to tend D'Artagnan as best he could on the voyage back, but the boy had lost so much blood and had been deathly pale. Aramis had prayed over him entreatingly. When they'd arrived back in Paris, Porthos had carried D'Artagnan inside the hospital while Aramis had gingerly taken Felice in his arms and followed, trying to be careful how he handled her with her injured ribs. She'd been half conscious, moaning, and murmuring anxiously about her brother. "It'll be alright, darling." Aramis had whispered to her. "You will both get some help now."
Athos was gloomily flanked by Cardinal's guards when he arrived at the palace on a horse. "I have a message for their majesties." He grumbled. "It's urgent."
"We are under orders by his eminence to arrest you on sight." One of the guards said stiffly.
"Lovely. All the more reason to request the presence of the king." Athos glowered, dismounting. The guards surrounded him as he marched toward the castle. There was music playing, guests in lavish masquerade costumes, and a luscious buffet was laid out. Athos ignored all of the festivities, and plowed on.
King Louis was speaking to the Cardinal when they both saw Athos, and the king hurried to meet him. The Cardinal's face sagged sourly as he followed. "Ahh! Athos!" King Louis greeted merrily. "Good to see you! You're just in time for the celebration. But, where are your companions? Surely the fellows would not miss out on such a grand ball?"
"I beg your majesty's forgiveness on behalf of my companions." Athos bowed respectfully. "This is for his eminence." He pulled out the scroll from Milady. King Louis took it and handed it to the Cardinal who opened it suspiciously.
He swallowed when he read in his own handwriting,
"It is by my order, and for the good of the State, that the bearer of this has done what has been done."
"Excellent work, Athos! But might I inquire as to just what task you were assigned to come through for?" The king asked curiously.
Athos was about to answer when he saw the queen. "Your Majesty." He murmured. King Louis looked back and he beamed with pride when he saw his beautiful wife, bearing the dazzling diamond studs around her neck. All was well! The Cardinal looked as if he were about to throw up.
"Anne!" King Louis cried. "How exquisite you look! You're wearing the diamonds!"
"But of course." Queen Anne said happily, and shot a grateful look to Athos who bowed his head.
"Would you care to dance?" King Louis offered.
"I would love to, my lord." Queen Anne agreed.
"Well, your eminence, I think the musketeers deserve a taste of the evening, don't you?" King Louis suggested.
"Begging my lord's pardon, but I must decline." Athos said politely. "We were waylaid on our journey back to Paris. I'm afraid the Gascony youngin's are badly injured. My fellow companions hurried them to the hospital. If I may be permitted, I should like to look in on them as soon as possible."
"Oh, dear g-." Queen covered her hands with her mouth.
"Good l-!" King Louis sputtered. "D'Artagnan, hurt?"
"Gravely, I'm afraid. His sister is not much better off. If you please, my lord, it's imperative that I return to them."
"Of course, of course!" King Louis encouraged him. "Go, my good Athos. Have a report run to me as soon as there is word on their conditions."
"Yes, my lord. My lady. I do hope you will enjoy the rest of your lively evening. We will be sorely sorry that we had to miss it." Athos said with a bow, and turned on his heel to mount his horse and galloped away.
The Cardinal brooded as he watched the king and queen blissfully dance and glow in one another's company. Rochefort had failed him again, d- the man! But...not entirely. The kids were badly off according to Athos, so maybe their evil plot had not been entirely unsuccessful. Now, if the brats could just never leave the hospital...