To Wait

By: Musketeer Adventure

Summary: As he raced toward the stairs leading to Treville's office, d'Artagnan grabbed him and demanded, "What news?"

Chapter 3

Having sat vigilant, d'Artagnan was one of the first to see Roland ride hard into the gate. His cloak stretched behind him, hat pressed down on his head, he braked his horse quickly and leapt from his saddle.

As he raced toward the stairs leading to Treville's office, d'Artagnan grabbed him about the arms, brought him to a halt and demanded, "What news?"

Others began to gather and wait as Roland extricated himself from d'Artagnan's grip, and took the first stair. He turned toward them all, "They are alive, and follow not one hour behind me."

Message delivered, d'Artagnan turned and ran toward the stables. His mind racing as he thought to retrieve his horse and meet his brothers on the road.

Adrienne and Cypriene, seeing this, blocked his path as they had orders to follow. "Don't you wish to hear what Roland has to report?" Cypriene asks.

"That they live is all that matters," was his retort.

His appointed guardians would not give in and manhandled him back toward the stairs. d'Artagnan seethed and clenched his fists, but knew their strength and followed.

Treville then entered onto the balcony to address his men. "Roland reports that Aramis, Porthos and Athos met trouble on the road from Cherbourg. Their prisoner was killed, but our musketeers escaped ambush and return on the road to Paris. They should be here within the hour." He stared hard at each of them imparting a silent message.

Every other man murmured and understood his subtext. Someone was badly injured; possibly near death. d'Artagnan understood too, and he swayed on his feet. Adrienne shored him up as he leaned into him, unwilling to process the Captain's words.

Treville then dismissed them quietly to return to their duties.

Treville looked down into the crowd of men to catch a sight of d'Artagnan. To call him up, to speak to him and prepare him for when the three arrived. Roland's report was grave, and stabbed his heart.

Finally, there stood d'Artagnan. Their eyes meet, and d'Artagnan knew instantly.

It was Athos.

Instead of moving forward as the Captain beckoned, he began to back away. His ears flooded with loud noise, his mouth gone dry. Those behind him were then pushed away and he began to run toward the stables. Once there, he reached for Buttercup; grabbed her mane, and pressed his face into her neck, and cried openly.

She rocked her head up and down in sync with his sobs. After a time, he pulled away from his faithful horse, and Treville stood there at his elbow.

His voice trembling with emotion he implored, "How bad is it?"

"Roland reports that he has been wounded; and now is fevered with infection." He states this information in a matter of fact way, his tone leveled; but d'Artagnan can hear the undertone of worry.

He turns to face this man, who loves Athos too. "I apologize to you Captain. I have been out of line. Disobeying orders is…."

Treville interrupts, "Understandable when your family is involved."

d'Artagnan steadies his voice, "Thank you sir."

"Roland also reports that he has been asking for you. You should be ready to greet them when they arrive."

"I was ready but an hour ago. Now, I'm afraid. What if they come home and he…"

Treville raises his hand to stop this train of thought, "It is only the dead who do not return d'Artagnan. Your brothers are coming home, and they are alive."

The Captain leaves him then, standing with his hand on Buttercup's neck, stroking her softly. Standing still for a few moments more, he takes a deep cleansing breath, rubs her nose and then the back of her ears. Leaning in close, he whispers to her, "Thank you", and heads out into the yard.

It seems that despite orders to return to duties, everyone is waiting. Finally, the horse and cart led by Porthos enters the gate. Aramis descends and calls for some help to transport Athos to the infirmary.

There are lots of jostling and many hands eager to help, but before he can be lifted down, Athos voice can be heard, "Where is d'Artagnan?"

Porthos then stands beside him, clasping his shoulder, "He has been asking for you."

He walks past Aramis as if in a dream, and climbs up into the cart. There Athos lays with hay for a pillow and his cloak as a blanket. The sight of him looking so weak and pale startles him – but he does not hesitate to fall to his knees and grasp his hand.

"I am here Athos."

Athos' gaze falls to his face, "I have been looking everywhere for you."

"The Captain has kept me here, just as you instructed. I've been waiting for you to arrive."

"I fear this is as far as I go d'Artagnan. I believe this is my hour. I could not bear to go without seeing you."

Athos' eyes are soft with love, and then the whites show, and he is gasping for air.

Aramis calls to eager helpers, and shouts, "We must take him in." Porthos leads the way to the infirmary, shouting out warnings to handle his brother carefully.

d'Artangnan is stunned into stillness and cannot move from the cart. When finally he is himself – Treville is piercing him with such a gaze, that it shouts, "get up".

He flings himself from the cart and chases after them.

As he enters the cordoned off space, he sees Aramis, and Porthos with the physician, while Athos lays still, and unmoving on a nearby cot.

He walks past their conversation, and sits in the chair next to his best friend.

He leans in and presses his forehead to Athos' shoulder. "This is not your hour. I will not let you go."

Hours pass and he cannot be persuaded to leave his side to eat, drink or sleep. Serge sends his favorites, and they go untouched. Adrienne and Cypriene implore him to walk with them for fresh air. He is unyielding. Aramis and Porthos are there, keeping vigil with him, and he won't leave them.

The physician has given them hope. If Athos can last the night, his recovery looks promising.

d'Artagnan does not rest. He speaks to Athos of all there is to live for; when his voice becomes hoarse and he begins to falter, Aramis takes up the cause, and then Porthos.

In the early hours, when Athos wakes, d'Artagnan is lying beside him, deep in slumber. Aramis and Porthos are seated in chairs by his beside with their heads dipped with sleep. Their soft snores surround him. His brow wrinkles with confusion. He does not remember anything after being shot on the road.

Concentration does not fill in the gaps. His side aches terribly, but d'Artagnan's warm body next to him prevents him from moving too much. At that moment a memory falls into place.

When he looks down, d'Artagnan is peering at him with hazy eyes. He rubs his lids, "You are awake. How do you feel? Do you know me?"

Athos places a hand on his head and rubs it weakly. "I don't remember much d'Artagnan, but I do remember that you were here upon our return. Well done."

Then Porthos sits up, scrubs at his face and announces – "Drinks are on you Aramis," who then gathers his wits and grins with open affection, and gladly acknowledges, "It's my pleasure."

The End

Thank you for reading. Please review. Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.