Authors note: thanks, as always, for your great reviews. I may not reply to you all (mainly 'cos I can't think what to say other than 'thanks') but they are greatly appreciated.

Chapter Four

Aramis broke the surface with a splash a few yards from the shore. He disappeared under the surface again for a few seconds before again reaching the surface. Athos had already waded out to him.

Athos grabbed the disorientated man. Aramis allowed Athos to help him back to the shoreline. He had his head bowed and was breathing quickly. Athos forced him to sit down as he knelt beside him, keeping him upright.

Much as they had done with d'Artagnan both Athos and Porthos encouraged their friend to merely concentrate on his breathing. Athos pulled Aramis' doublet closer and lay it over the marksman's shoulder when each of Aramis' breathes were accompanied by a shiver.

The noise of the crowd had died down, but they were no longer making any noise themselves. Aramis' breathing gradually settled, he looked up at Athos and nodded.

'I did it...the rope we left on the statue was tied tightly...it took longer than I thought it would...to undo.'

Aramis looked across to Porthos and the sleeping form of d'Artagnan.

'He's not stirred. But he's breathing fine now,' said Porthos glancing down at d'Artagnan.

The all looked around at the sound of footsteps from the side of the bridge.

'Monsieurs,' said Luc as he appeared around the corner, 'the crowd is gone now, they won't be back for about thirty minutes...did you manage it?'

'Yes Luc, he's gonna be fine.'

'I expect you are all cold, I've got my cart ready, quickly let's get you all back home.'

Luc stepped forward and helped Porthos to pull d'Artagnan upright. Athos joined them, between the three of them they carried the groggy musketeer up the bank to the cart Luc had left as close as he could.

'Start back, I will see to Aramis, he is pretending he is alright, but is clearly exhausted from two trips under the water,' said Athos as Porthos quickly redressed and climbed onto the small covered cart beside d'Artagnan.

Luc pushed the horse into a trot and steered the cart back to the road and away from the bridge. Athos returned to the underside of the bridge. Aramis was pulling his breeches back on, his hands shaking as he buttoned them up.

'We need to get d'Artagnan warm,' Aramis said as Athos reached him, grabbing his shirt and handing it to the marksman.

'We all need to get warm, you can barely move your fingers, have you even noticed how much you are shaking?'

Aramis took the shirt with a slight grin, he pulled the garment on and tucked it into his breeches before speaking.

'I was aware, but d'Artagnan's need is greater, he'll be in shock as well. I suspect he will be confused when he wakes up properly. We'll need to keep an eye on him.'

As he spoke Aramis pulled on his stockings and boots. Athos helped him to shrug into his doublet. The marksman was still breathing quickly, his shaking almost uncontrollable. Athos glared at him when he tried to button his jacket. Aramis allowed the swordsman to do it for him.

'I can do it…'

'We do not have all day.'

Aramis managed another grin, 'we got him back…'

'Yes, we did,' replied Athos, 'but I do not want to have to do that again, ever.'

After collecting the blankets that lay discarded on the ground they returned to the road. Aramis was walking quite stiffly, Athos could tell the man was still shivering, despite his attempts to hide it. If they had not been on a public road, he would have slung the blankets around his shoulders, but they could not do anything that would look suspicious.

When they reached Luc and Sarah house, Athos steered Aramis towards a chair by the fire, pushed him into it and threw a blanket over him.

Aramis looked annoyed, 'I want to check d'Artagnan.'

'No, you need to sit there and warm up. D'Artagnan is not injured, he is cold and needs rest. I can see to that. You can take a turn to sit with him when you have stopped shaking.'

Athos glared at Aramis for a few seconds until the marksman leaned back in the chair defeated. Athos walked into the bedroom. Sarah was busy laying out a dry shirt, underclothes and breeches for d'Artagnan. Porthos had stripped their friend and covered him in blankets.

'You did not have to give up your bed for him,' said Athos from the doorway.

'It's no bother,' replied the woman, 'he helped us yesterday and we are repaying the favour. Take as long as you need, there is broth ready on the fire.'

She nodded to them both and left the room.

'I'll sit with him for a while, you go and keep Aramis company, I need you both warmed up, and I am not sure Aramis will stay by the fire without someone watching him.'

Porthos chuckled, 'I'll tie 'im to the chair if I have to.'

MMMM

They took it in turns to sit with d'Artagnan. The young man had remained asleep for a while. He woke briefly whilst Athos was sat with him and managed to drink a little of the broth that Sarah had made for them. He was still disorientated, and Athos could not get any sense out of him. He fell asleep again quickly.

Aramis was sat in the chair by the bed leafing through a book when d'Artagnan next stirred. Porthos watched from his seat by the fire as Aramis put the book down and leaned forward slightly. They had propped d'Artagnan up with pillows as it seemed to help him breathe easier. As the musketeer opened his eyes he blinked a few times. Aramis smiled, he lay his hand on d'Artagnan's arm.

As d'Artagnan blinked Porthos noticed that he seemed to tense up a little. His focus was fully on Aramis. D'Artagnan's breathing quickened, he pulled his arm away from Aramis before leaning forward and trying to push the marksman.

'You left me, you walked away...you took them with you.'

'No, d'Artagnan…'

D'Artagnan was breathing hard in between coughs, he was weakly trying to move away from Aramis who seemed a little shocked at the man's outburst.

Athos, who had been sitting opposite Porthos, quickly made his way into the bedroom, he grabbed Aramis by the shoulders and steered him away.

'Let us talk to him first, he's confused…'

'I'm not confused, he thinks now that you and Porthos have rescued me we can all be friends again,' d'Artagnan was almost shouting, 'but he left me.'

Porthos had reached the doorway, he reached forward and caught Aramis' arm and gently pulled the marksman away. Aramis looked stunned.

Porthos said quietly, 'once we've talked to 'im he'll understand, he's confused...go outside, we'll come get you in a minute.'

Porthos gave Aramis a slight shove towards the door, the marksman walked off, his head slightly bowed.

'I can't believe you let him sit with me…'

'D'Artagnan, will you shut up for a moment and let us speak,' said Athos firmly with a glare at the man in the bed.

D'Artagnan stopped speaking, his breathing remained fast, his expression one of anger.

'The only reason you are not dead is because of what Aramis did.'

When d'Artagnan opened his mouth to complain again Porthos took a turn at glaring at him.

Athos continued to explain what had happened. He told d'Artagnan about the men with guns trained on them in the courtyard, he told him about Aramis' plan to rescue him. And he told d'Artagnan that Aramis had not only cut him free but risked his own life a second time to put Vincent's body in his place.

As Athos spoke d'Artagnan's expression changed from one of anger to repentance. As his breathing settled he looked towards the door Aramis had disappeared through.

'He'll understand why you were upset,' said Porthos, 'I believed him, back in the courtyard, I thought he had genuinely abandoned you. He was quite upset when he realised there was no way we could let you know it was an act. He thought you would die hating him, thinking you were alone.'

'I was so angry,' said d'Artagnan, not taking his eyes off the door, 'I think the anger I had for him kept me going during the night. It was really cold sat in that cell, but all I could think about was how he had walked away. I'm sorry.'

'Don't apologise to us,' said Porthos with a smile, '...and he won't hold it against you.'

MMMM

'Your friends are talking to d'Artagnan. He seems to have calmed down a bit now,' said Sarah as she sat on the bank of the stream beside Aramis.

Aramis had walked the few yards to the bank of the pretty stream that ran along the edge of the kitchen garden by the house. He was sat with his legs dangling over the bank looking at the water.

'I know he will understand, but I'm not used to being hated by people,' said Aramis, who could not help feeling a bit sorry for himself.

Sarah leaned into him slightly, 'I used to be quite popular in the village, but when I married Luc, after I turned down the Comte's son, people did not like me for a while. But it was only for a while, I don't think they even remember it now.'

They sat for a few minutes.

Aramis sighed, 'I shouldn't feel sorry for myself, we got him back, that's the main thing.'

Sarah pushed herself up to stand, 'I have hens that need seeing to. You and your friends take your time.'

'Thank you,' said Aramis as he returned to staring at the water.

'I guess we both know what it is like to be wrongly accused of something now,' said d'Artagnan as he lay a blanket around Aramis' shoulders and sat down next to him.

Aramis looked at his friend who was smiling and similarly clad in a blanket.

'Athos said he is not convinced you are warmed up yet, said you were still shaking a bit.'

'Perhaps I'm not that good at acting,' replied Aramis returning d'Artagnan's smile, 'how are you feeling now?'

'Sorry that I doubted you.'

'Don't be, it was an understandable reaction.'

'I know, but I shouldn't have even thought that you would abandon me, you're one of my best friends...how could I think that you would just leave me?'

'You thought it because at the time you were not thinking straight,' said Aramis, 'I do not blame you.'

'Good, now, can we go back in, because unlike you, I am ready to admit that I am still cold.'

Aramis chuckled and pulled himself up to stand, helping d'Artagnan up at the same time. They walked back to the house together.

MMMM

'You could stay the night and leave early in the morning,' said Sarah as she watched Porthos help d'Artagnan to mount up.

'We need to leave discreetly, if Paquet sees four of us leaving and not three, he may be a little suspicious,' said Athos.

'Your help has been greatly appreciated madam,' said Aramis from his horse, he smiled at her.

'Just look after d'Artagnan.'

'I don't need looking after,' said d'Artagnan with mock annoyance, quickly followed by a smile.

They turned the horses and slowly made their way along the road. Porthos looked across to d'Artagnan.

'What's the matter with you? For someone who was just saved from a watery grave you look very downcast,' he asked.

D'Artagnan shrugged, 'I just wish you hadn't had to take my doublet and pauldron.'

'Ahh,' said Aramis sarcastically, 'next time we will just leave you to drown then.'

D'Artagnan rolled his eyes, 'you know what I mean.'

'I will buy you a new doublet,' said Aramis who looked across to Athos, 'if Athos will lend me the money.'

Athos shook his head, 'I will give you the money, we cannot have him wandering around without a decent jacket on. And we can get a new pauldron for you when we get back to Paris.'

D'Artagnan sighed, 'it won't be the same. I've not have the pauldron long, but it already had a few scratches and scuff marks on it.'

A clatter of hooves behind them caused all four to reach for their weapons as they turned the horses back.

Luc, reined in the horse he was riding looking a little worried until each Musketeer let go of their weapons.

'Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you...'

Porthos replied, 'we weren't scared.'

Luc reached into the saddlebag behind him and pulled out an object that he handed to d'Artagnan.

'My pauldron!'

'When they pulled the body out, Paquet does not suspect anything by the way, they put it on display. One of the locals took a fancy to your doublet, pulled it off the corpse and dumped your pauldron on the ground...I picked it up, thought you might like it back.'

D'Artagnan had already slipped it on his arm over the old jacket the Sarah had found for him. He smiled as he reached out and shook hands with Luc.

'Thank you...for all you have done for me.'

'My pleasure,' replied Luc, 'have a safe journey home.'

Luc turned the horse and trotted back the way he had come. The Musketeers turned back towards Paris.

'Are you happy now?' asked Porthos.

'Yes,' said d'Artagnan, 'I feel like a Musketeer again.'

The End.

Authors note: I hope you enjoyed it. I have another story finished (sorry, another fairly Aramis centric one – well he is my favourite) so will put that up soon, and two in the planning stages. I'll be back!