Upon the realization of loss

[averygoodshot]

There is little that will keep Aramis away from his son. Even trips to exotic beach locales only serve as temporary diversions from what he considers his family. He has not gone back to Paris to appease the Queen, he has been diligent and loyal and good (love, he tells himself, is a powerful force).

Then comes the day when he knocks on the right door and no one answers. When he's told that Anne, Queen of France, no longer resides in the Nexus at all. How, he wonders, his heart clattering in his chest, can he keep the Queen safe now? How can he protect his son?

After a thorough and emotional search, resulting in nothing, not even a door back to Paris, Aramis does the only thing he can think to do. He drinks (and yes, he does let the others know of his findings, or lack thereof) and he wallows. This is how he finds himself in the tavern, a wine bottle and goblet in front of him, and his head in his hands.

Comments

[averygoodshot]

And not appreciated. If there is one thing that Aramis can rely on with Athos, it is the unvarnished truth. It is a very good counterweight to Aramis's lofty (ill-advised at time) romanticism.

"If she did, I wonder if .... " If it would matter. If the Queen would ever feel free enough to love as she is capable of, and be loved in return.

[armedagainstlove]

Athos lifts his brow as he waits expectantly for Aramis to finish his sentence. He hasn't the skill of Porthos when it comes to knowingly intuitively what is on Aramis' mind (and wouldn't it make things much easier, if he did?). "Drink," he coaxes, because drinking more appears to be the one thing they can trust in to help the situation, right now.

[averygoodshot]

It would indeed.

Sighing out, Aramis does indeed drink, draining his cup, then refilling and offering to refill Athos's too. "Have you been back?" he asks. "To Paris?" Already, he's given his word to Constance to stay away. Will he never be free?

[armedagainstlove]

He allows a nod of his head, heavy and calm. "I don't think I'm quite through all the timeline that I know exists for me, but I've been back," he agrees. He's still shy of this claim that Anne has made, that he has offered to go away with her to England.

He knows it is coming and he is girding himself for the very real possibility that he can see himself going. He has yet to tell any of his friends that, however.

[averygoodshot]

Athos can see Aramis's jaw work. He kept his word to the Queen, but it grates on him, not taking action (even though, yes, he takes action, it seems. Anyway).

"And what of Rochefort?" he asks, voice low and tight. "What do you know of him from what you've seen?"

[armedagainstlove]

"I know he is not to be trusted," Athos concedes, but he would have said that very same thing long before. He would not trust anyone who has spent that much time in prison and captivity, no matter what has happened. "But unfortunately, the King appears to listen to him much as he did the Cardinal."

[averygoodshot]

With a sigh, Aramis rubs a hand over his face. "So, he has a great deal of power." They already know too well that Louis is ... highly impressionable.

"He will use that power, won't he?" he asks, "he'll abuse it."

[armedagainstlove]

"Of course he will," Athos replies, given that there is no uncertainty when it comes to the King being highly malleable and with someone like Rochefort who seeks more power than he has. "And unfortunately, I suspect we will all of us be caught up in the crossfire."

[averygoodshot]

"If the Queen is no longer here," Aramis posits, hands on the table between them. "Can I be faulted for wanting to go back to Paris? To see what awaits us?"

[armedagainstlove]

"Aramis," Athos says his warning and leaves it at that, knowing that whatever will happen at home will happen and they won't be able to stop it. "I know I won't be able to stop whatever foolhardy decision you've already made, but do try to keep in mind the fact that it's safe here. Why not wait for Porthos or I or d'Artagnan to visit home and see whether it's safe for you before you rush back?"

[averygoodshot]

"Have you known me to run from danger?!" Aramis nearly jumps out of his seat, hands fisting even as he settles again. "Have I suddenly become weak," he wonders, "that I should be sat here in this place when I could be serving King and Country, Athos?"

[armedagainstlove]

"You should remain smart," Athos corrects calmly, feeling already weary for the passion and zeal with which Aramis seems keen to charge into the situation with. It is, honestly, exhausting. "Your head could be in danger. Allow others to venture home first and scout the land for you, so to speak."

[averygoodshot]

Like someone not weak enough to defend themselves.

Argh.

Aramis's hands tighten around his cup enough that his knuckles whiten.

"Do you think death awaits me?" he asks, looking over at Athos, knowing he will not lie. "To die at Rochefort's command.... " does not sit well with him, not by a long shot.

[armedagainstlove]

Athos thinks of Rochefort and of all the perils that are involved in this disastrous situation. He nods, eventually, because he does not trust that things will be resolved before there is death. "I think you would be in grave danger if you returned," he admits. "I'm sorry to say."

[averygoodshot]

Well.

That's what Aramis gets for asking. He cannot fault the answer, though, for it comes after his own question.

"So," he says, exhaling the word, "perhaps it is that I am prolonging the inevitable."

[armedagainstlove]

"Or perhaps you wait here, we assess the threat, and bring you knowledge that will prevent any harm from coming to anyone," Athos says, patience already strained as he regards Aramis. He's far too sober to deal with this and it's beginning to wear on him. "Aramis, listen to reason for once in your life."

[averygoodshot]

Sitting back, Aramis sighs, too, both chastised and sullen in turns. He does, though, know enough about Athos to not push anymore or he will regret it quite heartily. He reaches for his goblet, holding that in his hands as he nods. Yes, Athos. Aramis will try to be good, Athos.