Chapter 26: Together at the end.

Aramis stood quietly, fiddling with his hat as he watched Porthos saddle his horse. Specifically the horse the stable man Remy had given him. He had asked for something a bit more forward going than the animal he had been given the other day, he would rather not plod through the french countryside, and Remy had pretty much given him the pick of the stables. The horse he had chosen was one Remy had described as a well bred willing animal, and the light bay stallion certainly looked pleasant, if he was nice enough Aramis saw no reason he could not be kept at the garrison once they got back there.

They had risen this morning to find the castle already bustling. Ames' men were readying to leave, carts being loaded, men being fed and horses being saddled. They'd had breakfast before getting ready themselves. The others had helped him dress again which had been a painful experience, he was still using a sling, he wasn't convinced he should be up and about but he wasn't going to miss an opportunity to leave here. At some point Athos had located Aramis' weapons, Aramis had been very glad to see them but dreaded putting them on. Porthos had suggested they take them for him but Aramis at least wanted to look like a musketeer for the beginning of their trip when they would be riding with Henri and Ames' men.

Porthos finished tacking up the horse and turned to him.

"You sure about this?" Porthos asked him.

"Yes," Aramis answered for the tenth time. He stepped over to the horse and took off his sword attaching it to the saddle instead, Porthos took his pistol and fastened it to the other side. Aramis paused, "the cloak as well," he decided. It sat on his injured left shoulder and he would be more comfortable without it, it was going to be a warm day anyway.

Porthos sighed, unfastening his cloak and rolling it up to attach to the back of the saddle. "Just don't push it," he counselled.

"We only have to keep up with them this morning, I'll take it easy the rest of the time, I promise," he offered Porthos with a slight smile.

"I don't intend to give you a choice," Porthos smiled back. "Come on then."

Porthos led the horse over to the mounting block in the entrance to the stables and held him there as Aramis braced himself, putting on his hat. He carefully got on and was glad it wasn't too painful, but it only lasted until Porthos led the horse, and his waiting animal, out of the stables and across the busy courtyard, every movement of the horse sent shooting pains through him. He grit his teeth, holding tight to the saddle, he was glad Porthos was directing them, this would take a while to get used to. They came to a stop where D'Artagnan was waiting with his horse and Athos'.

"Where is Athos?" Porthos asked him.

"Getting more supplies for the trip," D'Artagnan answered. Sure enough, Athos returned a short time later with four bedrolls, packages that probably contained food and filled water containers, amongst other things. These were attached to saddles, though all Aramis got was a bedroll and water. Once Athos had finished attaching them to the saddle he handed Aramis another smaller water container.

"What's this?" Aramis asked as he took it.

"I found some good whiskey," Athos replied, giving him a pat on the leg. "Thought you might appreciate it." Aramis didn't waste time, opening it and trying some, it was good.

It was not long before Ames' men were ready to leave the courtyard. His three companions mounted up and Aramis didn't complain as Porthos once again reached over to lead his horse. Ames had invited them to ride with him at the front. Henri was there, sat atop his horse Blaise and was obviously pleased to see them. He smiled back at the boy, glad to see him in high spirits. Behind them Mirabella and her husband were in charge of a cart. The large company began to leave the courtyard, once they cleared the gates Porthos let go of Aramis' horse and Aramis took up the reins, satisfied when a nudge with his feet had an immediate response.

As they headed down the hill Ames' kept them at a walking pace, with several carts in tow they would probably not go much faster on the hill roads and Aramis was glad, he didn't think he would last long at a trot. The wound their way through the villages and along the hill roads for most of the morning, eventually reaching the main road where their speed picked up a bit. Aramis had long since given up trying to talk with Henri, the boy was in good spirits, but let the others chat with him and instead concentrated on staying on his horse.

They had not ridden long on the main road, in fact just reached the flatter ground beyond the hills, when a messenger rode up to them. He informed Ames that the duke was waiting in a village not five miles further up the road. Within the hour they were arriving at the village, just in time for lunch. The majority of the company waited just beyond the village, Ames didn't want to bring his forty men and their twenty plus prisoners into the village inn. With Henri and Ames they went to meet Deverell, halting their horses outside the inn. Aramis intentionally waited until Porthos dismounted and came over to help him, having Porthos ready to steady him seemed less embarrassing than collapsing in a heap, and then carefully dismounted.

"Alright?" Athos asked as he stepped over to them and took the reins of Aramis' horse. For a moment Aramis didn't answer holding on to Porthos as he waited for the pain to diminish. He managed a nod and Athos shared a look with Porthos before leading the horses off to tie them up.

"I'm not sure that was convincing," Porthos said to him with a smile as Aramis straightened up. Aramis smiled back. Henri came over to him and Porthos stepped away to tie his horse up also.

"Aramis," Henri said, he looked nervous.

"Henri," Aramis replied smiling at him and putting an arm over his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," the boy replied looking towards the inn.

"Nervous?" he asked.

"Yes," Henri said sheepishly.

"Don't be," Aramis spotted Ames' waiting for them at the door to the inn. "Come on."

A glance around assured him Athos, Porthos and D'Artagnan were right behind him as he went with Henri into the inn. It wasn't to busy inside, there was the smell of hot food and the chatter of the regulars at the bar, Ames quickly spotted his master and they went over to the duke. Aramis had seen the man only once before, at court a few years ago but he hadn't changed, a middle aged portly man who seemed intelligent and kind, more so than Aramis remembered, he looked comfortable here, he never had at court. Deverell smiled when he saw them, or more specifically, Henri.

"Ah, here you are," he said as he stood.

"Sire," Ames greeted. "This is Henri."

"A pleasure to meet you Henri," Deverell said to the boy.

Aramis gave Henri a small push. "Hello, sir," he said nervously.

"I'm sure my man has told you how I am looking forward to having you stay with me," Deverell said.

"Yes sir," Henri replied, Aramis smiled as the boy looked to him.

"I am sorry about what has happened, with my brother, your father," he corrected. "But I assure you you will have a place to stay with me now, I can teach you how to be a duke, how to run the province, to farm, or fight if you prefer. Would you like that?"

"I think so," Henri said a slight smile appearing.

Deverell smiled back, "we are family Henri, I look forward to getting to know you." He looked to the men beside Henri, "who are your friends?"

Henri introduced them and they sat down to lunch. Aramis wasn't hungry but had the misfortune of sitting beside Porthos who nagged him to eat something. Henri was soon chatting happily with his uncle and Aramis couldn't help being pleased, the boy and his uncle would hopefully make a good little family. Deverell was obviously excited about Henri coming to live with him, Aramis could understand that, finding family after being alone for so long was a wonderful feeling. And he imagined suddenly having a child to protect and share your knowledge with must be very rewarding.

After lunch they got ready to get on the road again. Mirabella and her husband arrived at the inn and Henri introduced them to his uncle who was happy to have them in his household if Henri wished it. As their company left the inn Aramis watched as Henri raced off to show his uncle his horse, he felt a slight sadness as the boy ran passed him without even an acknowledgement.

"You've done a good thing," Mirabella said as she came up beside him as he followed his brothers to the horses.

He stopped, smiled at her, "you think so?"

"I am very glad you came into the castle when you did," she said and he chuckled.

"I can't say I was happy about that but I am very grateful you, Henri and your husband did not let me die," he told her. "I am in your debt."

"I don't think so, we'd still be working for Drago were it not for you, or dead because of him," she smiled at him. "Perhaps we helped each other?"

"Very well," Aramis accepted. "But if you ever need anything you know where to find me?"

"Umm, come to Paris and ask for Aramis?" she teased. "I hear your reputation precedes you."

"Very funny, you would have better luck coming to the garrison," he disagreed.

"Very well, I will keep that in mind," she smiled kindly at him and then went over to the cart she and her husband were driving.

Aramis went over to the horses, standing beside the others, who gave him comforting smiles as they watched their young companion leave. Henri had jumped on Blaise and was still talking with his uncle as the other man mounted his horse. His uncle chuckled at something the boy said before turning to Ames and asking if they were ready to go.

"Wait!" Henri suddenly realised what he had forgotten, that the musketeers would not be coming with him, and threw himself off his horse and raced over to them. "Aramis," he said as he came to a halt in front of him.

Aramis smiled and with his good right arm offered the boy a hug. Henri did so carefully, wary of his injuries. "I'll miss you," Aramis told him.

"You will?" Henri asked.

"Yes, you'll have to convince your uncle to come to Paris more often," he said with a smile as the boy stepped back.

"I will, we will," Henri took a breath, "I'll miss you too."

"But you know your letters, you can always write," Aramis gave him a nudge.

"And if I want to be a musketeer?" Henri asked them glancing over to Athos.

"Then come find us," Aramis replied with a grin.

Henri grinned back and with farewells to the four of them went back to his uncle. They watched them go, Aramis sighed.

"Well," Athos broke the silence, "do you want to stay here for the night?"

"No, how about we find somewhere in the middle of nowhere?" he asked them, he'd had enough of buildings and castles and people, somewhere quiet would be nice.

"You sure you want to ride on?" D'Artagnan asked.

"No, but I'm sure I don't want to stay here," Aramis replied going over to untie his horse and lead it over to the village's mounting block. He slowly got on, glad the horse was patient enough and then rode back over to the others. "Well?" he asked, they had not mounted.

"You'd rather sleep out somewhere on the hard ground than a soft bed?" Porthos asked him.

Aramis raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't you?" He would much rather be out somewhere with only them for company.

Slowly Porthos grinned. "Yes," he replied going to get on his horse. Athos and D'Artagnan shared a look before getting on their horses too.

"Which way do you want to go?" Athos asked him leaning on his saddle.

"Which way to Paris?" he said.

"Well if we follow this road and turn right at some point..."

"No,"Aramis stopped him. "Which direction?"

Athos smiled and pointed off into the countryside. Aramis nodded and nudged his horse off in that direction feeling light hearted as the others followed. They rode for an hour or so until Aramis was sure they were far enough from anything to be left alone, not that it mattered, he didn't think he could go any father anyway. They had found a pleasant clearing beside a stream in some old woodland and came to a halt.

"Well, this'll do," Porthos decided, swinging his leg over his horse and hopping off.

"I agree," Athos dismounted also. "Aramis?"

"I think so," Aramis smiled at D'Artagnan who dismounted beside him and held Aramis' horse. Aramis braced himself and slowly got off, he would have fallen right there if Athos hadn't appeared behind him.

"Careful," Athos said, pulling Aramis' good arm over his shoulder and taking him over to a tree. "Sit down, we'll build a camp. Porthos the fire, I'll sort the horses, D'Artagnan get the bags."

Aramis couldn't help a groan as he sat at the base of the tree and leaned back against it, he closed his eyes enjoying the warmth and the sunshine. The birds were singing, the stream was babbling, there was the slightest of breezes and he could smell wild garlic by the water. He opened his eyes as someone thumped down beside him. D'Artagnan had dropped an arm load of bedding and bags but was looking at him.

"D'Artagnan?" he asked him.

"You going to be alright?" D'Artagnan asked looking back down to the bags and fighting with a buckle.

"Don't see why not," he replied feeling positive, then he indicated their surroundings with a smile, "Sunshine, good food, good company, I should be right as rain in no time."

D'Artagnan looked around them before unfurling a bed roll but made no other comment. Aramis watched the younger man.

"I never thanked you for saving my life," Aramis said lightly, resting an arm on an upraised leg and picking some grass.

"Wouldn't have had to save your life if you hadn't stopped an arrow for me," D'Artagnan said, sitting back, eyes down.

"It's fine, it wasn't your fault they were shooting at us," he dismissed.

"I could have got you killed," D'Artagnan finally said what was bothering him.

"You wouldn't have, they were the ones doing the shooting," Aramis told him, worried that it was bothering him. "D'Artagnan we protect each other. All for one, one for all. I don't regret it, we can just say thanks and move on."

"You can just move on like that?" D'Artagnan frowned at him. "What if you had died? How do you move on from that?"

Aramis sighed, throwing away the piece of grass he had. "It's difficult, it takes time, but you lean on your brothers, work your way through it," It would take time, but D'Artagnan would learn how to deal with it, he didn't doubt that, in the mean while they would just be there for him. "But D'Artagnan I didn't die, were all here in the peaceful countryside, enjoy it while you can," he nudged his shoulder finally getting a smile back.

Porthos came back then with an arm full of wood for the fire. He dropped it in front of them looking at the area with a frown. "I though you were sorting out a camp?" he asked D'Artagnan.

"I am," D'Artagnan said standing and sorting out the bags he had. Aramis gave him a smile glad to get on in return.

Porthos knelt down to sort out the fire. "You looked like you were having a serious conversation," he commented.

"D'Artagnan was just worrying," Aramis replied lightly.

"Aye, we've certainly done enough of that recently," Porthos narrowed his eyes at him.

But Aramis was not put off, "no need for it here, let's just enjoy the sunshine."

Aramis' happy mood seemed to wear off on his companions who in turn seemed lighter for it. They were going back to Paris, all was right with the world again.

In a short while the camp was set up and a fire going in which Athos was cooking bits of meat he had acquired from the castle kitchens that morning.

"Well what shall we do this afternoon?" Aramis asked them, smiling as the three of them looked at him. He was in quite a bit of pain, and had no intention of moving at all, but the looks on their faces were priceless.

Athos narrowed his eyes at him before smiling slightly, and turning to D'Artagnan, "D'Artagnan?" he said, indicating something sat amongst the bags with a nod as his hands were busy with the food.

D'Artagnan evidently saw what Aramis couldn't and stood up to get it, he came back with Aramis' pistol and pouch with it's accoutrements including gunpowder and cleaning equipment. Porthos chuckled as Aramis was handed it and D'Artagnan sat back down, smiling also.

"You can stay where you are," Athos replied with amusement, "clean that if you wish."

"Perhaps we can spar?" D'Artagnan asked Athos.

"Sounds good," Athos replied, handing out some of the food.

"Glad to be going home?" Porthos asked with a smile, as he handed him some of the meat.

Aramis took in his three friends around him, "I already am."

THE END

AN: I hope everyone enjoyed! Perhaps a little filler for the lack of musketeers tonight :-(

I've loved writing this and am glad people have enjoyed reading it. I just wanna thank everyone who was kind enough to review, they have been very much appreciated and do tell me whether you like the end! :-D

One last note; So I know this is probably not the place to ask this but I was watching the first episode again and was wondering what was the point of Adele? I thought she might be brought up again before the end of the season but she wasn't. Do people think think she was there to introduce us to how nasty the cardinal is and how troublesome Aramis is? Or is she part of a larger story arc, the cardinal knows Aramis slept with his wife and now suspects he has been with the queen? Kinda feel she was forgotten by the writers...

Anywho, thanks for reading! Until next time!