Athos

Also known as: Comte de la Fère / Count / Monsieur Athos / Monsieur Comte de la Fère / Monsieur de la Fère / Monsieur le Comte de la Fère / Monsieur le comte / the Comte de la Fère / the comte / the count · Family: Musketeers · Role: musketeer · First appears: Chapter 3

In chapter 3, Athos is named among D’Artagnan’s friends, alongside Porthos and Aramis, and chapter 6 presents the four as companions whose qualities shaped one another. By chapter 13, Athos reunites with D’Artagnan and Planchet, while his advice and example have helped educate D’Artagnan as a gentleman. After leaving the army, Athos retires to property near Blois; there he employs Grimaud and raises Raoul, an orphan whom he says, “I have brought him up.” Raoul’s upbringing restores Athos’s will to live, and Athos takes him to Paris, gives him his father’s sword, and seeks a favorable reception for him through Madame de Chevreuse.

In 1643, Athos reveals that he was formerly Athos and that he is the nobleman who took Raoul de Bragelonne away from Marie Michon’s child. He transfers Bragelonne, its income, and the title of vicomte to Raoul, continuing as his parent and guardian. He refuses to serve Mazarin except for the king’s cause, and when his old companions take opposing political sides, he tells D’Artagnan, Porthos, and Aramis, “Yes, we are severed; there is the great, the distressing truth!” At the Place Royale, however, Athos prevents his confrontation with Aramis, recalls the unlawful death once shared by the four, and helps restore their friendship and oath of unity.

Athos then serves Charles I with Aramis, protecting and attempting to rescue him during the English campaign. Charles I knights him and gives him the Order of the Garter, after which D’Artagnan and Porthos briefly take Athos and Aramis prisoner. The four escape, continue their efforts to save the king, and Athos helps construct the hidden route beneath the king’s room; after the execution, he preserves the king’s blood, abandons his plan to leave, and says, “No, I remain.” He is later rescued from the sea after Mordaunt attacks him, returns to France, and presents Anne of Austria with the king’s ring before separating from his companions.

Athos becomes a prisoner of Anne of Austria and Mazarin after seeking help for his arrested friends, but later escapes and accepts the liberty offered through the treaty signed by Mazarin. In chapter 90, he returns to Bragelonne and leaves Raoul with D’Artagnan for the Flanders campaign, while he, D’Artagnan, Porthos, and Aramis depart without knowing whether they will meet again.