# The Battle of Charenton explained — Twenty Years After > Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas. ## What happens Athos and Aramis arrive near the battlefield of Charenton, where a truce and conference are underway between the royalist and Frondeur leaders. They learn from the Duc de Châtillon that d'Artagnan has not been seen for six weeks and is believed to be on a mission to England. The truce breaks, and a fierce battle ensues. Athos and Aramis charge with their squadrons; Aramis fights with ferocity, while Athos remains calm. Aramis engages the Duc de Châtillon in single combat, narrowly avoiding a pistol shot and preparing to return fire. ## Themes in this chapter ### Friendship and Loyalty Athos and Aramis search for d'Artagnan out of loyalty, and Athos's concern for Raoul highlights the bonds of friendship and family. ### Revolution and Rebellion The chapter depicts the Frondeur rebellion against the crown, with battles, truces, and shifting allegiances between the royalists and the Parisian forces. ### Honor and Duty Athos fights calmly and with restraint, while Aramis fights with fierce passion; both fulfill their duties as soldiers and nobles in the conflict. ## Character check-ins ### Athos Athos reluctantly reads the intercepted letter, searches for d'Artagnan, and fights calmly in the battle, showing concern for his son Raoul. ### Aramis Aramis seizes and reads the letter, searches for d'Artagnan, and fights with fierce excitement, engaging the Duc de Châtillon in combat. ### Raoul Raoul is mentioned as having given up a despatch reluctantly and is known to be with the Prince de Condé; Athos inquires about him. ### Planchet Planchet is encamped with citizens at the Place Royale, but has no news of d'Artagnan; Athos and Aramis consider him a potential source of information. ### D'Artagnan D'Artagnan is absent; the Duc de Châtillon reports he left Paris six weeks ago on a mission to England and has not returned. ### Duc de Châtillon The Duc de Châtillon commands the royalist cavalry, informs Athos and Aramis about d'Artagnan's absence, and later engages Aramis in combat. ### Beaufort The Duc de Beaufort is present as a Frondeur leader, drawing his sword when the truce breaks. ### Gondy The coadjutor (Gondy) leads the Frondeur forces, performs acts of valor, and tries to reform his regiment after Chanleu falls. ## Key lines > Give him the despatch, Raoul! you are the chevalier’s prisoner. Hand over the message, Raoul; you are now the knight's captive. _Aramis orders Raoul to surrender the letter, asserting authority over him._ > We’ll search Paris all day long, and if we have no news this evening we will return to the road to Picardy; and I feel no doubt that, thanks to d’Artagnan’s ready invention, we shall then find some clue which will solve our doubts. We will look for d'Artagnan throughout Paris today; if we learn nothing by evening, we will go back to the Picardy road, trusting that d'Artagnan's cleverness will provide a lead. _Athos expresses determination to find d'Artagnan, relying on his friend's resourcefulness._ > It is absolutely certain that some misfortune has happened to them on the way. It is clear that some accident has befallen them during their journey. _Athos and Aramis conclude that d'Artagnan and Porthos must have encountered trouble._ > Gentlemen, the truce is broken, that is evident; they are going to fight; go, then, into Charenton, for I shall begin in a short time—there’s a signal from the prince! The ceasefire has clearly ended; they are about to attack. Head to Charenton, as I will commence battle shortly—the prince has signaled. _The Duc de Châtillon announces the resumption of hostilities and directs Athos and Aramis to safety._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-battle-of-charenton - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters