This story contains spoilers for the last two episodes of the season.

Past the Point of Rescue

Chapter One

The courtiers gathered, filled with a morbid curiosity. It wasn't often that one of the King's chosen fell from grace so spectacularly. Their pampered, empty lives would be for a moment filled with drama which would fuel the gossip at the never ending round of soirees. The woman stared longingly at the handsome Musketeer while the men speculated quietly about his likely fate.

Aramis waited silently while the damning evidence against him drew to a close. What hurt the most was that the witness was one of his closest friends. Athos hadn't looked at him during the questioning. Porthos and d'Artagnan had subtly distanced themselves as the proceedings branded him a deserter. He didn't care what anyone else thought; it was these men, his brothers that he had betrayed by his actions.

He'd already been stripped of his weapons and there was no doubt what would happen next. The occupants of the throne room seemed to give a collective sigh when Athos finished. Aramis stole a glance at the Queen. Her hand rested on the increasing swell of her belly where their child grew inside her. He had no doubt of the baby's parentage. Now his vow to protect their son with his life lay in tatters around him and he alone must shoulder the blame for that. He wasn't deluded enough to think that Anne loved him. She had taken him to her bed because she felt sorry for him after the death of the girl he'd once been fated to marry. He thought there might be affection in her heart and, on his side, a hopeless adoration.

"The Musketeer, Aramis, will kneel before us." The King's voice echoed around the room.

If the Queen was carefully expressionless, the King was making no effort to hide his feelings. Arrogant and unpredictable, this touched upon his safety and inbred sense of entitlement.

Aramis knelt refusing to bow his head. He could tell that his direct gaze was disconcerting for Louis but what greater punishment could the King impose for his lack of respect. The air had become stifling causing beads of sweat to form on his brow. Suddenly ashamed, he let his head droop.

Before Louis could speak Queen Anne leant over to whisper to him. When the King looked at Aramis again it was with less petulance on his face. "We find you guilty of dereliction of duty. The punishment is death. However, the Queen is merciful and has reminded me of your bravery in saving her from the assassins who sought her life. You are stripped of your commission and banished from the Court."

"I'd rather die," Aramis said.

"Don't be a fool," Athos hissed. He rested a firm hand on Aramis' shoulder, ensuring that he stayed on his knees.

"Captain Treville, remove him from our sight." Louis stood and held out his hand to Anne. "Come, my dear, you shouldn't overtire yourself."

Aramis remained where he was until the King and Queen had left. Soon the only people in the room were his former colleagues, Cardinal Richelieu and two of his Red Guard.

"I warned you about these men," Richelieu said, not bothering to hide his satisfaction or his sneer. His hatred of them could be traced back to the day they'd proved his complicity in the attempt to kill the Queen.

Aramis scowled. He had a longer history with Richelieu dating back to his dalliance with Adele. "Be very careful, Cardinal. I don't have anything to lose now."

"Oh, I think you do." Richelieu moved closer and lowered his voice. "I see how the Queen looks at you. It would be a great shame if the King were to doubt the paternity of her child."

Aramis sucked in a sharp breath. "Do that and you'll have civil war. That's not good for the country you claim to love so much."

"I doubt if anyone would rise up if he were to put her aside," Richelieu said complacently. "Particularly if it was due to her adultery. The peasants would demand her head for betraying him. Say one word about me and I'll make sure the King disowns her and the bastard she's carrying." He smiled coldly and left the Musketeers alone.

"What was that about?" Treville asked.

"Nothing. Let's get this over with." Aramis unbuckled the rerebrace on his right arm. For more years than he could remember it had been his most prized possession. It was the mark of a Musketeer and the highest honour a man could achieve. After handing it to Treville he untied the sky blue cape and dropped it at the Captain's feet. He swept a cold stare around his former friends and colleagues. "All for one," he said bitterly, "and one for all." He gave an ironic bow and walked away.

TMTMTM

"Why would he do it?" D'Artagnan asked, bewildered. They'd returned to the garrison which seemed strangely quiet and empty without their friend. "Why would Aramis leave the King unprotected?"

"I don't know," Athos replied. In truth he had his suspicions. He'd watched his friend becoming withdrawn and distant since the news of the Queen's pregnancy. It was almost certain that she was carrying Aramis' child. After so many years of marriage without an heir it was unlikely that the King had successfully impregnated her so soon after her illicit night with the man honour bound to protect her.

Athos couldn't find it in his heart to blame either of them. Something had happened at the convent to make Aramis reckless. Perhaps they'd believed that they were going to die although Athos doubted that. There was more to the story. Whatever it was would most likely never be known.

"You could have covered for him," d'Artagnan accused hotly. "That's what friends do."

"I tried. Treville became suspicious and Aramis admitted leaving his post to spend the night with one of the Queen's ladies in waiting." It had occurred to him that his friend might have been with the Queen although, when challenged in private, Aramis had vehemently denied that.

"Something isn't right," Porthos said. "He's been a soldier longer than any of us. He wouldn't risk his life for some woman who means nothing to him. And, he wouldn't break his oath to the King."

"We have to find him," d'Artagnan said. "Talk to him and find out what really happened."

"We know what happened."

"I don't believe that, Athos." D'Artagnan with his strong sense of honour couldn't accept that one of the finest men he knew could have compromised the King's safety for a woman.

"D'Artagnan's right. Why're you so quick to condemn him?"

Athos glared at his comrade, anger and guilt warring within him. "He condemned himself and was lucky to walk away with his life."

"You might be ready to abandon him," d'Artagnan said angrily. "We're not. I'm going to track him down. Are you coming?"

"Yes," Porthos said before looking accusingly at Athos. "What about you?"

Athos sighed wearily. What he wanted was to crawl into a bottle and drink himself senseless. "Of course. Whatever you might think, he's still my friend."

TMTMTM

They found Aramis in one of the worst taverns in Paris. He looked up at them blearily. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice slurring thanks to the copious amounts of alcohol he'd consumed.

"For you to stop drinking," Athos said.

Aramis sneered. "Fine words from a drunk."

"Stop it Aramis," Porthos said. "We're here to help."

"Athos has 'helped' enough. Go away and leave me alone." He picked up the wine bottle from the table and held it over his glass. Only a couple of drops fell. He waved the empty bottle in the direction of one of the serving girls. "Another," he said.

Athos put out his hand to stop the girl. "He's had enough."

"Still interfering?" Aramis asked. "Why don't you just keep your mouth shut?"

"We're not leaving." D'Artagnan sat on one side of Aramis with Porthos on the other. If he wanted to escape he'd have to go through them. "Tell us what really happened and we'll ask Treville to petition the King on your behalf."

"I had an itch and Veronique was willing to scratch it," Aramis said crudely. "The King was never in any danger and I'd have been back at my post in time if Athos hadn't arrived early."

"I didn't tell Treville," Athos said. "You're the one who made him suspicious by the way you were acting. When he asked me if I knew what was wrong I…"

"You gave me up."

"Not willingly."

"It doesn't matter anymore. I've lost my commission, my home and my family. There's nothing left."

"We're not going to abandon you," d'Artagnan said.

"What will you do?" Porthos asked.

"I've only ever made my living with the sword. I'm sure someone will pay me to look after them."

"Not after today," Athos said. "No-one will hire a man who abandoned the King."

"Athos!" d'Artagnan said, his anger with the older man rising uncontrollably.

"It's the truth and Aramis knows it."

"You're an arrogant bastard." Aramis rose unsteadily to his feet and lunged across the table. He grabbed the front of Athos' jacket, drew back his right arm and threw a punch directly at his former friend's face.

Athos countered the move with his arm, knocking Aramis off-balance to sprawl across the table. "Stay down."

The urge to violence wouldn't be denied and it cut through the effects of the alcohol like a bucket of cold water. Aramis scrambled across the table and threw his full body weight behind another blow. Athos caught his wrist and used his leverage to spin Aramis around and into collision with a wall.

"That's enough." Porthos stepped between the two protagonists, forcing Athos to retreat.

D'Artagnan caught Aramis by the arms and hauled him back to the table. "Sit down. This isn't helping anyone."

Aramis wiped a smear of blood from his cheek and bared his teeth. "Stay and I'll kill you." His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the threat very real.

"Let's go," Porthos said. "Where are you staying?" He asked Aramis.

"Here." Aramis waved an arm vaguely around the tavern.

"We'll see you tomorrow when you've sobered up and are ready to listen to reason." With a last concerned look at his friend he ushered Athos and d'Artagnan away.

Tbc