This is a sequel to The Court of Miracles and you will need to read that story for this one to make sense. It is set in Season Two. My thanks to The Victoriana for giving me the idea for this story and for acting as my beta.

Reconciliation

Chapter One

Porthos moved quickly from shadow to shadow. Periodically he stopped to look behind him. His guilt warred with the knowledge that he was doing a good thing. However, it wasn't something his brother would understand. It would seem like a betrayal after everything that had gone before. It wasn't even intentional, at least it hadn't been until he realised how much of a difference he could make. He hated keeping secrets but this was something he had to do by himself. It wouldn't be fair to ask his brothers to aid him.

He pulled the hood of his cloak further forward to hide his face. There were too many of the Rochefort's guards around for him to risk being recognised. He wasn't even wearing his pauldron, although removing it had been more difficult than expected. He had left his uniform in his room, opting instead for a plain leather doublet. He still had all his weapons though. Where he was going you didn't walk unarmed. He quickened his pace, eager to reach his destination.

TMTMTM

It was dark by the time Aramis reached the tavern where he was to meet his friends. He had been on guard duty at the Palace and the King's audience had gone on longer than usual. Not that he minded. It had allowed him to be in the presence of the Queen with whom he remained infatuated. He was glad Athos hadn't been there. Sometimes he thought his friend saw too much and he didn't relish being on the receiving end of one of Athos' disapproving stares.

He entered the building glad to be out of the chill of the night air. A wave of heat hit him in the face, along with the unappealing smell of a multitude of people and a wall of sound from myriad voices. He smiled automatically at one of the serving girls who was passing with a tray laden with empty cups. Her harried expression softened in response. He watched the sway of her hips with an appreciative eye before turning his attention back to the crowd in front of him.

It took a while for him to spot Athos and d'Artagnan sitting at a table towards the rear of the establishment. He wove his way between the tables, narrowly missing a collision with a large man who was clearly the worse for drink. When he reached his friends he found they had already made substantial inroads into their first bottle of wine.

D'Artagnan grinned at him and filled an empty glass. "We were starting to think you'd got lost."

"Court was busy today. Lots of nobles petitioning the King against the recent increase in taxes."

"That's all Rochefort's doing," Athos said. "There are rumours that the Treasury is almost bankrupt. I fear things will get worse before they improve."

"I don't understand how the King can keep raising the taxes. Doesn't he realise how much hardship he is causing the people?" d'Artagnan asked.

Aramis looked at him sympathetically. D'Artagnan and his father had been journeying to Paris to raise this very issue with the King when his father had been murdered. "Running a country is an expensive business."

"If he continues to squeeze every sou out of farmers and merchants he'll drive everyone to the poor house," d'Artagnan said bitterly.

"That's true." Athos drained his glass. "However, he is insulated from the people. He relies on Rochefort and his Council and doesn't see the damage he is causing. It is a common failing in monarchs."

Aramis sipped his wine and lounged back in his chair. He was tired from standing too attention for hours and it was a luxury to be able to sit down. "Where's Porthos?"

"He said he had another engagement." Athos refilled his glass before waving the empty wine bottle in the direction of the serving girl Aramis had noticed earlier.

"That's the third time in the last two weeks," Aramis said frowning.

"Maybe he has a new lady friend," d'Artagnan suggested.

"He'd have told me," Aramis said. "Do you think he has been acting a little strangely lately?"

"We're not his keepers." Athos nodded his thanks when another bottle of wine was deposited on the table. "He doesn't owe us any explanation for his absence."

"It isn't like Porthos to sneak around."

"He's not sneaking around, Aramis. He just isn't here. He's entitled to keep secrets from us if he so chooses."

Aramis shook his head, unconvinced. "It's out of character."

"You worry too much, my friend. Whatever is going on I'm sure he will tell us eventually."

"Besides, you don't tell us about all your latest conquests," d'Artagnan pointed out.

"Perhaps you're right," he conceded. However, his curiosity was rapidly getting the better of him and he resolved to tackle Porthos on the subject the next day.

TMTMTM

Porthos was late for breakfast. He arrived to find his friends already gathered around the table.

"We thought we were going to have to make excuses for you to Treville," Aramis said.

"Yeah. Sorry. I overslept."

"That's not like you, my friend. Did you have a busy night?"

Porthos tensed at Aramis' question. He poured a mug of ale and avoided the marksman's piercing stare. "Not particularly."

"D'Artagnan thinks you have a new lady friend," Aramis persisted. "Or perhaps you are seeing the lovely Alice again."

"What I do in my own time is my business."

There was a momentary stunned silence. He cursed his guilt-fueled vehemence but the damage was done.

"Leave him alone, Aramis. He doesn't have to tell us if he doesn't want to." Athos speared a slice of cold sausage, completely unperturbed by Porthos' outburst.

"I apologise if I have caused offence," Aramis said, with hurt in his tone.

"I had some business to attend to. That's all."

Athos looked from one to the other. "We are on duty at the Palace today. The King continues to hear petitions against his new taxes. Treville is worried that there might be trouble."

"So there should be," Porthos said unexpectedly.

"It's not his wisest move certainly." Athos pushed his plate away and wiped the crumbs from his doublet.

"He sits there in luxury while the people starve," Porthos continued, aware that he was treading on dangerous ground.

"I didn't know you were so interested in politics," d'Artagnan said, looking at him quizzically.

"I'm interested in seein' the ordinary folk treated fairly."

"That's an interesting notion." Aramis looked at him challengingly. "However, we all know that isn't the way the world works."

"Then it's time things changed."

"You advocate revolution?" Athos asked with a frown.

Porthos took a deep breath. "It might come to it one day."

"It ill becomes a Musketeer to talk treason," Athos said with a clear warning in his tone.

"And I suppose it's right for the King to take the bread out of children's mouths?"

"Perhaps you should stay at the garrison today," Athos said.

"I can still do my duty," Porthos growled. He stood up, almost quivering with anger. "I'll see you in the stables."

Aramis watched his friend stride away. "Something is bothering him."

"We shouldn't forget that he grew up in poverty in the Court of Miracles," Athos said. "Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that he is taking this hard."

"He gave his oath to the King," d'Artagnan said. "Whether we approve or not we have to protect Louis."

"Porthos understands that." Athos retrieved his hat from the table.

"He has never let his upbringing impact on his duty as a soldier," Aramis said. "There is something more going on here."

Athos put his hand on his friend's shoulder and squeezed gently. "If you want my advice leave him alone. He clearly doesn't want to confide in us."

Aramis nodded distractedly even though he had no intention of following Athos' advice. Something was eating away at his best friend and he was going to find out what it was.

Tbc