Athos

## Relevent Pages

**Olivier "Athos" d'Athos de la Fère** is one of the main characters and titular characters of *The Musketeers*.

He is the former husband of Milady de Winter, who was a dangerous criminal and the former captain of the Musketeers. Athos is also the leader of the Inseparables, a group that consists of his best friends, D'Artagnan, Porthos, and Aramis. He is a natural-born-leader and also has sword-fighting skills that are equivalent to that of D'Artagnan.

Athos was portrayed by Tom Burke

## Background

Athos was the Comte de la Fere. and is best friend and mentor of D'Artagnan, and best friends with Aramis and Porthos, and a close friend of Constance D'Artagnan's.

He was born into a family of nobility, living in a mansion with his parents and younger brother. His father was the Comte de la Fère. The family had a secret armory and Athos carried the family tradition from his father. Athos was also betrothed to a young woman, Catherine, possibly developing genuine, romantic feelings for each other.

Five years prior to the series, Athos instead fell in love with a young woman who introduced herself as Anne, who would become the future Milady de Winter. However, he remained unaware that Anne was actually a criminal, being a thief and a pickpocket living off of the streets. Deciding to marry Anne instead, Athos' fiancee was passed off to Athos' younger brother.

After Anne killed Thomas in self-defense, Catherine accused her of murder with Athos present. For Athos, it was because he would later believe it was because Thomas figured out who she was, but Milady would recall him being a hypocrite and that he deserved to die because he attempted to rape her. Athos ordered for his servants to take her away. Heartbroken, Athos went to his friend Remi, who was a blacksmith himself, to help execute his wife, something he would later have regretted to getting him involved with years later. Athos had Milady taken from the house to a nearby tree and had her hung. However, Athos could not stand by to watch his wife's execution, so he walked away and would believe his wife to be dead for five years. ("The Return," "Commodities")

After his brother's death, Athos left the citizens of Pinon to fend for themselves, causing them to resent their former master. He discarded his identity as the Comte de la Fere and joined the King's Musketeers in Paris, France's capital, first starting out as a cadet to becoming a very well-respected Musketeer. Athos became best friends with fellow Musketeers Porthos and Aramis. (The Return, We Are the Garrison)

### Family

Athos' parents were the Comte and Comtesse de la Fee and Athos acquired the title after his father died. In "Commodities," it was revealed Athos had a younger brother named Thomas who was killed by Milady de Winter in self-defense, according to her). It is also revealed in "The Return" that his ancestors lived on the land as well.

In the series, Athos had at least four romantic relationships. He was previously betrothed to Catherine de Garouville since presumably childhood. However, Athos met and fell in love with Milady De Winter (who was then known as Anne when he knew her), making Milady his second romance. The two of them married while Catherine was instead betrothed to Thomas. He also had a brief romantic feelings for Ninon de Larroque, whom he had only kissed home.

Finally, Athos is currently in a relationship with Sylvie, whom he eventually marries (off-screen) and together, they are expecting their first child together.

## Storylines

### Series 1

#### Meeting D'Artagnan and Accused of Murder - Episode 1: "Friends and Enemies"

After recovering from a hangover, Athos goes to retrieve Porthos from a bar-fight with a Red Guard (who Athos knocks out) and Aramis from his lover, Adele. As they chastise Aramis for being with her again, the three musketeers are charged by Treville to look into the disappearance of Captain Cornet, finding out he never made it to his destination and go to report their findings to Treville, where they encounter d'Artagnan for the first time, who accuses Athos of killing his father.  They briefly duel each other, with Athos trying not to harm D'Artagnan, who Athos overpowers easily, but refuses to fight him any longer. When Athos puts up a fight, Aramis and Porthos and Constance all intervene. After the duel, Athos is suddenly placed under arrest for robbery and murder. Before he is taken away, Athos tells D'Artagnan that he did not kill Alexandre and that someone else is responsible. However, since they cannot prove it, Athos is sentenced to death by King Louis. Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan are able to prove that Athos is innocent, part of the Cardinal's plan to strike a blow to the Musketeers. Athos silently accepts d'Artagnan's help in proving his innocence, welcoming him in their unit as a trainee. At the tavern, he reminiscents over his lost woman: d'Artagnan's one-night-stand,  Milady de Winter ​(Friends and Enemies)​

#### D'Artagnan's First Solo Mission - Episode 2: "Sleight of Hand"

Athos and the other Musketeers seemingly trick D'Artagnan into entering a duel with a Red Guard, it is this is all a ploy as to get D'artagnan into Vadim's criminal gang. Over the course of the episode, Athos slowly begins to trust D'Artagnan, but initially thinks he is not ready for the job but Treville points out that they would have been easily recognized. Athos later joins the Queen Anne to the prison where d'Artagnan is being held and goes to check in on the young man when Athos comes across a prison break and is confused why D'Artagnan had joined them. Constance approaches Athos with news D'Artagnan came to her house. After he tells the Inseperables that the leader of the bandits hopes to kill the King and Queen, Athos decides for D'Artagnan that his part of their plan is over and they'll take it from there, expressing that it is too dangerous. However, d'Artagnan manages to convince Athos that he still needs to return or Vadim will know he's gone. During Vadim's plan, the musketeers realize he isn't trying to kill the King and Queen but rob the royal family. Athos confronts Vadim with Aramis and Porthos and realizes that d'Artagnan is missing. However, he appears to Athos, Aramis and Porthos alive and having mortally wounded Vadim. The Musketeers confront Vadim but he dies of his injuries.

#### Anniversary of the Attack at Savoy - Episode 4: "The Good Soldier"

Athos, D'Artagnan, Porthos, and Aramis were in attendance for the Duke and Duchess of Savoy. He noticed Aramis was upset, who was remembering the attack on Savoy five years earlier. An assassination attempt on the Duke was made by Marsac, a former fellow Musketeer. Treville asked them what happened, with D'Artagnan (pressured by keeping a secret for Aramis), revealed the assassin got away. Athos noticed that Aramis and D'Artagnan were acting strangely, leading the two men to reveal that Aramis and D'Artagnan captured the assassin and that he was Marsac. Sis learned that one of the attackers on Savoy had a long scar wound. They all found out that Treville had something to do with the attack in the Musketeers. However, Athos refuses to believe word that Treville had nothing to do with this until they found evidence otherwise, but Aramis would not wait long enough. Athos was challenged by Victor and bested the Duke in combat. Treville reprimands Athos and orders him to apologize to the Duke. While he was doing so, Athos noticed that the Duke had a long scar (which was a description of one of the attackers from Marsac. Later, Christine came to the Garrison, asking for their help in finding Cluzet, a spy and learned the attack on the Musketeers at Savoy was to protect Christine, who was the spy in Spain. Athos and his friends went to help her. After Marsac was killed, Athos stood before  the Duchess before she left. Christine told Athos that despite everything, she still loved her husband, with him nodding in acknowledgement

#### Porthos Accused- Episode 5: "The Homecoming"

After Porthos was accused of murdering a young man, Athos joins D'Artagnan and Aramis in visiting Porthos in prison and was confident that Porthos was not held responsible for it.

Athos, Aramis and D'Artagnan went out to find out  who  is responsible behind it to clear their friend and brother-in-arm's name.

#### Return of Marie de' Medici - Episode 6: "The Exiles"

When a poor girl, Therese Dubois is accidentally killed by Louis and Anne's carriage, Athos and Aramis attempt to stop a robbery going on at the same time but the bandit manages to evade Athos and Aramis. After being caught up to speed, Athos leads Aramis, Porthos and D'Art to Ninon's salon, where Ninon hits on Athos, who wishes for Fleur Baudin. Taken in by Ninon, he agrees to meet her for a date. However, during their conversation, the Red Guards appear and begin going through Ninon's stuff when they find Fleur and several other young women in their nightgowns. Athos blames Ninon, believing she had been decieving him the whole time. During Ninon's trial, he notices that hise wife if in the court room as well, and begins lashing out at her. However, Aramis, Treville and Porthos hold Athos back from doing something rash.  Eventually, Athos figures out that Sastini had poisoned the Cardinal from earlier.

#### The Downfall of Milady de Winter - Episode 10: "Musketeers Don't Die Easily"

In the series finale,Aramis, Athos,  Porthos and D'Artagnan find a way to bring  down Milady and Cardinal Richelieu.  Athos drinks too much and hold Milady de winter hostage. He pretends to hate D'Artagnan and accidentally shoots him in the side. The next afternoon D'Artagnan shoots at Athos and pretends to kill him, and their plan begins to work. However, their plan slightly falls apart when Athos, Aramis and Porthos are told by Monsieur Bonacieux that Constance has turned up missing. Athos forbids Aramis and Porthos from telling D'Artagnan of Constance's disappear in fear that their friend will relapse in concentration and get himself killed. At that moment, a message from Richelieu is given to Aramis with a proposal: Gallagher's letter for D'Artagnan. Athos had them get Richelieu's confession and retrieve D'Artagnan After they deal with the Cardinal at the shows himself to the Milady, who is slightly taken aback that D'Artagnan did not shoot her husband. As Athos pulled a gun out to end Anne once and for all, she revealed that she kidnapped Constance and was holding her hostage, threatening to kill the young woman if Athos killed her. The four Musketeers banded together in rescuing Constance at the Abbey milady told them to meet her at. Though Athos and his friends are successful in killing their attackers, Milady holds Constance at gun point. Athos tells her to put the gun down and that it is all over. However, Constance manages to break free and rejoin her friends. Athos told Anne to get down on her knees as he prepared to execute her again. Aramis and Porthos attempt to convince Athos that this is wrong and that they should hand her over to the authorities. However, their leader blames himself for Milady's actions, believing it's his fault that he made her into the woman he thought she was and that her victims' blood is on his hands. However, after urgency from his friends, Athos spares Milady and tells her to leave for England or Spain or somewhere far away from France. He threatened to kill her without hesitation if he ever saw her face in Paris. Milady tells Athos that there'll never be true peace until they are both dead. After she departs, Athos finally lets go of her locket and leaves it in Paris. After the Queen announced her pregnancy, Athos knew that the child was Aramis and not the King's but didn't say anything to D'Artagnan and Porthos. Despite silencing the Cardinal, they are left with honor, and of course, each other.

### Series 3

#### Episode 6: "Death of a Hero"

After spending a night with Sylvie, Athos suddenly is attacked by Lucien Grimaud, who seriously injures Athos in an attempt to kill him. Sylvie apparently kills Grimaud but they find he survived and has escaped. After Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan left for a different mission, Athos realizes his brothers are headed into a trap when Treville reveals that he never sent a letter to them. When they arrive on the scene, Athos worriedly calls out for them and orders his Musketeers to dig them out. However, the cadets are unsuccessful. They nearly give up until Athos hears Porthos screaming out in agony under the rubble. Dragging Porthos out first, Athos pulls D'Artagnan out and attempts to call Aramis, but they find that he has not been there. Treville also received a message from the palace that Gaston escaped the Bastille and that Louis and Aramis are in danger, as they never returned from King Henry's mausoleum. They make it on time only to see that Feron has been killed. Later, Aramis consults with Athos, Treville, D'Artagnan and Porthos that the King told him he was dying. Athos suspects Treville knew. Realizing the danger his brothers got into, Athos breaks his relationship off with Sylvie to serve France.

## Personality

Athos displays a stoic, calm, lay-back personality that some people would dismiss as rude or calculating. However, that is just Athos being his cool-headed self. Despite being calm most of the time, there were also times when Athos lost his cool-headed ideology. For instance, he lost his cool-level head when fighting the Duke of Savoy after believing him to be the reason why twenty of the Musketeers were killed. After he saw Aramis sleep with the Queen, Athos angrily berated him for it. He also acts hot-headed when he believes something injustice has happened, as Athos angrily confronted Porthos' half-sister for torturing and using innocent young women. He was also angered with Grimmaud, who nearly killed his lover and their unborn child.

Due to being betrayed by Milady de Winter, Athos found it hard trusting people, including several women and D'Artagnan when he first met him. However, he and D'Artagnan later came to mutually respect each other, especially after Athos revealed to D'Artagnan about his past with Milady. Though he distrusted several women, one exception was Constance Bonacieux, who he appears to have been friends with before the series began. He also nearly fell in love with the Countess, Lady Ninon who had flirted with Athos but he denied all the feelings. Despite his hardships with Lady De Winter, he held somewhat of a soft spot for her. He eventually met Sylvie, a girl who he truly fell in love with and had a child together.

However, Athos is a very tragic figure, as he had lost his brother and the love of his life. Despite his hard demeanor, Athos deep down is very loyal to his loved ones. He is also a cool-headed person and a very skilled swordsman, his swordsmanship being rivaled with that of D'Artagnan's, who can actually hold up against Athos. He was also an inspirational mentor, teaching D'Artagnan to use his head and not his heart.

Athos was also very protective of his friends and family. He became this towards his lover Sylvie, especially when she becomes pregnant with his baby and expressed concern over Porthos when he was faced with trouble of his father and the danger he could be in. Another time with Aramis when he was at the mercy of the King's First Minster of War at the time, Comte de Rochefort and another time with D'Artagnan more than once, as the young man often got in trouble. Another time, Athos thought D'Artagnan, Aramis and Porthos died in an explosion and repeatedly called their names and was relieved when he found them alive.

At the end of the series, Athos is ready to settle down with Sylvie and raise their child together in the countryside, showing he is ready to be a father and finally has a chance to be in love again.

## Abilities

Athos is a skilled swordsman, having a similar level of fighting to that of D'Artagnan. He handles well with a gun and is shown to be a master marksman. He also has natural leadership skills, being able to lead his small group of friends of him, D'Artagnan, Aramis, and Porthos and the Musketeers regimen Athos also has a high-level intellece, being able to develop even battle plans.
Athos is also a highly skilled teacher, having trained Musketeer cadets and teaching D'Artagnan while giving them advice how to fight with a calm head and not to take things their enemies insult them to heart.

## Physical Appearance

Athos is in his thirties, having with pale skin, tall, black long hair, and pale blue eyes. He is significantly a little bit older than D'Artagnan, who is said to be the youngest of the Musketeers. Throughout the series, he has attracted many women, including the feminist lady, Lady Nione, his former fiancée Katherine, and his lover Sylvie, and his wife, Milady de Winter. He usually wore black leather and wore a brown hat that would be identified as a cowboy hat these days. He wore usually dark clothing made from leather.

## Relationships

### Milady de Winter

Athos and Milady were married prior to the series and were shown to be deeply in love with each other. However, Athos learned that Milady killed his brother, so he ordered her execution. However, according to her, Athos couldn't bare to stay and watch. After all that, Milady wished him dead. However, due to still felt romantic feelings for her ex-husband, Anne was hesitant to kill him when she saw he kept the locket that she gave him and admitted the world felt a little lonely when she thought he was killed at the hands of d'Artagnan. When Athos had Milady at his mercy, he lets her go and warns her that he will kill her without hesitation if she came back.

### D'Artagnan

Athos and D'Artagnan are best friends and have a strong friendship and are as close as brothers in the series. However, they initially have an enmity with each other that formed into a student-mentor relationship. During one of the episodes, Athos expressed that D'Artagnan had the potential to be the best Musketeer that France had ever seen.

In series 3, Athos appeared to be proud of D'Artagnan into the Musketeer he has become, as Athos slightly smiled when he saw D'Artagnan training one of the cadets and telling them the "head over heart" advice Athos gave d'Artagnan himself when he was training D'Artagnan.

At the series finale, with Porthos a general and Aramis as the First Minister of France, Athos secretly planned on making d'Artagnan the next Captain andsurprised D'Artagnan by making him the captain of the Musketeers for a temporary leave of absence, thinking that no one better for the position. D'Artagnan doubted that he could not lead, however, even Athos knew that his best friend could train the cadets in his absence.

### Aramis

Aramis and Athos are very close friends and have been best friends since they were part of the Musketeers. He is initially the only one to know of Aramis' affair with the Queen and doesn't tell their other friends until "The Accused."

### Porthos

Porthos and Athos are very close friends and have been best friends since they were part of the Musketeers.

### Treville

Athos respected Treville as his commanding officer and friend and someone he saw as a father figure. To prove Athos' loyalty to Treville, when the incident of the Savoy Massacre came to light she the captain was accused, Athos remained loyal to Treville and would believe his Captain over a disgraceful soldier's words unless proof told otherwise. However, Athos was never afraid to challenge his Captain, as during the dueling March bettered the Musketeers and the Red Guards, Athos scolded Treville for not chosing d'Artagnan as the Musketeers' representative.

After Treville's demotion by the King, Athos still regarded his mentor as his Captain and disliked Rochefort and King Louis' mistreatment of Treville and was immediately concerned when his former.

Treville, in turn, saw how the other Musketeers looked up to Athos and his student's excellent leadership skills, two qualities which made Treville promote Athos to becoming the next Captain of the Musketeers while he became the first Minister for France.

### Constance D'Artagnan

Athos and Constance knew each other before D'Artagnan arrived in Paris. She took part with Aramis, Porthos and D'Artagnan in proving Athos' innocence by pretending to be a prostitute in order to distract the guard, claiming to be doing this for Athos.

Athos trusts her as much as he does any of his men, as he entrusted her to protect the Dauphin shortly after his father's death. (The Prize)

### Sylvie

   Slyvie is Athos' love interest and girlfriend in series 3, each of them having an on/off relationship. Athos is very protective of her and even calls for her when he was sick Things become more complicated for them when Sylvie became pregnant with his child. Athos found out they were expecting when Lucien Grimaud threatened to kill their unborn child and Sylvie were threatened to kill her and the unborn baby.

By the end of the series, they decide to live in the countryside together while raising their baby together.

## Book

Athos is based on the character of the same name from *The Three Musketeers* by Alexandre Dumas, pere.

In the books, Athos owned a diamond pendant that once belonged to his mother and that he eventually gave to his wife, Anne.

At the age of 25, he fell in love with a young Milady de Winter (then known as Anne) and they both married. However, when Athos learned she was a convicted criminal, he had her hanged and believed her to be dead.

Five years later, Athos was offended by the Gascony youth, D'Artagnan and challenged each other to a duel. When it came to fight, Athos found that Aramis and Porthos were offended by d'Artagnan as well. However, the trio become close friends with D'Artagnan after they all defeat Red Guards who had attempted to arrest them for illegal dueling.

Over the course of the book, Athos comes to love and become protective of d'Artagnan, whom he eventually sees as a son and a best friend.

## Trivia

* The fictional Athos is also named after the historical musketeer Armand de Sillègue d'Athos d'Autevielle, though they have little in common beyond the name.
* Athos has more of a fraternal love for D'Artagnan rather than paternal.

## References

1. ↑ The Return
2. ↑ "Commodities"
3. ↑ "Musketeers Don't Die Easily"
4. ↑ Trial and Punishment