Author's Note: Yay! New story! So, I'm just going to tell you some excess information. This has Christianity in it and a couple of OCs. Umm...There is drama and it is a father/daughter relationship, incase you haven't realized. And yes, there is romance, I did not make a mistake. Oh, and there is a bit of Japanese in it. Translations will be at the bottom. Well that's it. Thank you!
All grammatical and spelling errors are my fault.
Lancelot and others belong to Sega. Elizabeth and Lenora belong to me. Credits, for translations, goes to Google Translate.
Eye Color List:
Light Purple: Tired, sad, upset, depressed, loneliness, fright
Purple: Neutral, content, normal
Light Fuchsia: Mischievous, smug, embarrassed
Fuchsia: Irritated, annoyed
Light Red: Anger, furious, irritated (A bit more than the one above)
Red: Hatred, Love
Chapter 1: My Child…
Throughout the halls of the infirmary, screams of pain split the air. The usual, sickly silent, care center was filled with hoarse breathes and screams of sheer agony. Anyone who was a witness to the coarse shouts would've shivered in their spots. Screams from child labor wasn't a pleasant sound to anyone, of course.
Especially if you were the husband.
Outside two, locked, hall doors was an ebon hedgehog who paced back and forth. The male's quills were sharp and on point, fatally cutting anything is sharpened. His top and middle quills sagged downwards while his others faced the ceiling. His entire body, from his quills to his toes, were marked with blood red stripes contrasting brightly form the midnight fur. The midnight male's body was well built and sturdy, having formed well-respected muscles which were covered by his silky fur. There was a pure white puff of chest fur also. His tan muzzle had his features chiseled to the max.
All in all the, the hedgehog was an attractive male figure. He was a respected one at that too. Of course being one of the most powerful Knights of the Round Table and a great friend to the king gave you high standards. Sir Lancelot was one of the mightiest knights serving as a powerful guard. He had fought many enemies weak and strong and managed to overpower them with a blindfold and a hand behind his back. he would always go into the battlefield feeling as if he owned the world.
Except this battle, he felt as if he were a youngling thrown into the battlefield.
Lancelot was called over to the infirmary, in the middle of his training, and told that his wife had gone into labor. Without a second thought he rushed over with the maid, still having his armor on. Unfortunately it was a forbidden that any male make his way into the room where a women give birth. At first he tried to get passed the several nurses blocking his way but was soon forced to stay put. All it took was about seven men and a king.
Not much.
Here, in this cursed hall, he'd waited several hours, forced to wait until the process was done. If it were up to him, he would be holding his wife's hand right about now. Another shrill scream ripped through the room. Lancelot stopped dead in his tracks and looked towards the locked doors. He eyed one of the men carefully.
"Don't even think about it."
The crimson streaked male snarled at him and turned his back on the doors. He clenched his fists and harshly breathed. Oh, how it would do him good to just slay the men with his hands.
{40 minutes later}
"I'm sure your wife is doing well. They're in good hands. I assure you, these are the best nurses in the whole land Lancelot," an azure hedgehog, know as King Arthur, said.
There in the room sat the king and Lancelot. The midnight clad had his head in his hands. He shook it slightly deeply sighing. "I have no doubt of your word, my king but, it's just…you know my wife is sickly and-"
"Sir Lancelot your child has been successfully delivered!"
Lancelot sat up quickly from a chair. He rushed over, at lightning speed, towards a maid. Still frantic about his wife he asked, "And what of my wife?"
The maid looked towards the ground in sadness. Lancelot absolutely freaked. "Where is she? WHERE IS SHE!?" he shouted. He started to push past the maid and speedily walk towards the doors. The maid scurried in front of him, blocking him. Lancelot held his hand in the air ready to strike the maid. He was at his boiling point. The female rabbit gasped and shut her eyes preparing herself for the blow. Just when Lancelot was ready to let down his hand King Arthur gripped his arm. The king glared at him with forest green orbs. They pulsated with sternness telling ruby orbs to calm down.
"I realize you are in a hard place but that gives you have no reason to hit her," Arthur lowly spoke.
Lancelot sighed and nodded respectfully. He lowered his head, having his arm already release, and apologized to the rabbit. The maid softly, yet still with fright, "I-I understand your place Sir Lancelot. I'm sorry for angering you. And thank you, your highness."
"The pleasures mine Ms. Vanilla," he replied with a wink.
"Please tell me the condition of Lenora. What of her?" the knight said turning the conversation back on the previous subject. Again Vanilla looked to the ground and sighed. Tears were apparent in the corners of her eyes and Lancelot cursed as she looked up at him. "I-I'm sorry but she didn't make it. She died a few minutes later after conceiving. Please forgive me for bearing bad news."
"It's alright Vanilla. You tried your best," the king tried to comfort. He looked towards the darker hedgehog and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Lancelot didn't move a centimeter. His blood red irises were stuck on the door. His heart pounded and each thump seemed to echo in his ears. Had he heard right? Did she really say what he thought she said? Was Lenora dead? Behind his closed helmet the young warriors face twisted with internal agony. He bit his lip till blood leaked trying to control an oncoming sob. Fortunately for him it worked but a few tears escaped. He was forever grateful for the mask, for his actions went unseen.
"Sir Lancelot," the soft voice of the maid snapped the knight back into, cold hard reality.
He hummed in acknowledgement; he didn't think he was ready to talk yet.
"Would you want to see your child?"
His child…
He'd been so caught up in the death of his wife he completely forgot about his child. With a small nod she shot through the doors. The other two waited patiently, silence making an awkward aurora. King Arthur stood there looking worriedly at the knight. So far, he hasn't shown any signs of grieving. None of which he could see anyway.
"Lancelot," he started, "are you-"
"I'm fine."
The violent edge caught the young king by surprise. Usually he would've put the person back in his place but he allowed some things to slip when he was with Lancelot. He was the closest thing he called a friend here. He also knew anyone who lost someone dear to them would act the same way. Even he would. So perhaps the midnight hedgehog was grieving just, in his own way.
And let's face it, Lancelot isn't exactly, what you would call, and rainbows.
"I'm sorry my rudeness my king. As you can probably tell I'm not in the best of moods."
When are you ever?
"That's alright Lancelot and please, like I've said a million and one times, call me Sonic."
He didn't reply after that and the two just continued waiting. Finally Vanilla arrived with the new born. The caramel colored rabbit brought a pink blanket that was wrapped around something. Lancelot observed the bundle in front of him. There, just a few inches away from him, was his child.
"Congratulations, Sir Lancelot, Knight of the Round Table, you just received a healthy baby girl. She's a small thing but she's healthy; six pounds five ounces."
He didn't know what do or say. In front of him was his child. And she was a girl… "C-can I hold her?" he asked shakily. Vanilla giggled at the silly question.
"Well of course you can."
She handed him the bundle. Lancelot immediately felt warmth radiate in his body. "Make sure you hold her head up." He looked at the maid and nodded understandably. He supported the newborn's head and cradled her. He moved the blanket covering the child's small face and almost gasped. A soft smile soon spread across his lips. She looked so much like Lenora yet different.
The girl had a considerably lighter muzzle than his but still tan. Her fur was the same shade of ebony as his and the tips of her short quills were dipped with a soft violet color. Her eyes were rounded but had purple markers at the ends sort of like his. Her eyes were still closed so the eye color was till yet to be determined. She felt so light soft and in his arms, it was unbelievable. Lancelot gently rubbed her cheek with his finger and widened his eyes when the child cooed and leaned into the large finger. She smiled and yawned. The knight soon forgot about anything and everything. It was only him and his daughter. He instantly felt a connection. A very deep one.
Watashi wa anata no me no chīsana mono o miru tame ni matsu koto ga dekina.
His hear warmed considerably and he already felt his broken heart move back into its place. Well, close it.
"Do you have a name for her Lancelot or do you want to wait and announce it at the Christening?" the azure king said softly. He smiled happy that there was an actual smile on his darker companion's muzzle.
Lancelot's smile only widened. He glanced towards the king and the maid. He nodded and said "I have one but I want to wait till the ceremony. Lenora would want that."
King Arthur only nodded and whispered to the maid, "Why don't we leave him alone for a bit."
"Good idea."
The two left without a sound. Lancelot looked towards the door that shut close but paid no attention to it for more than a second. He walked to a chair enjoying the child's warmth and the silence. When his daughter started to fuss he hugged her closer. He hated the fact he wore his armor forcing little to no body contact but he made use of it. He placed the newborn on his chest and closed his eyes. He rubbed her back and whispered, "Shush little one. Everything's alright. Daddy's right here." He kissed her forehead lovingly as the baby giggled. She yawned again and clawed for her father's muzzle. Lancelot uncovered his face to reveal his tear stained cheeks. He placed his face into tiny hands. Surprisingly her eyes snapped open.
Lancelot gasped.
What he saw was beautiful. Her eyes were a perfect replica of Lenora's, purple, but what really got him was that they flashed red. The same color as his. They shined brighter than any jewel he's ever come to see. They held so much, love, curiosity, innocence and intensity all at one time. Her eyes were like windows to her emotions if you looked hard enough. Just like his.
"Anata no me wa, watashi no aisuru Erizabesu utsukushīdesu."
Elizabeth Ann du Lac. It was just what Lenora wanted. It was perfect.
(0...)
The funeral to say was heart-wrenching. Everyone who had known the young maiden, who was Lancelot's wife, grieved and mourned for her. Other's who didn't still bowed their heads in respect as the casket was taken and buried.
Sir Gawain and Lady Percival, who were strong and noble Knights of the Round Table and two of Lancelot's closest friends, looked around in worry. Their friend was nowhere to be found.
"Where do you think Lancelot's gone to? Shouldn't he be here?" Gawain, the crimson echidna, asked.
Lady Percival, a lavender cat, crossed her arms. She sighed and said, "You know Lancelot doesn't like to show emotions publicly. If he were here he'd probably break down."
"I don't see anything wrong with that. He just lost his wife. He should at least be somewhere here."
"Perhaps he is here but we just can't see him."
Gawain grunted in agreement. He and Percival turned their heads to the king, who began his speech like he did at any other funeral.
(0...)
He couldn't do it.
It was plain and simple. If he were to stay there bad things would've happened. Others would think he'd become soft. Sure it was selfish not to go to his wife's funeral but, could you really blame him? Right about now he would've been trembling like a weakling at the sight of his beloved's casket. He would've cursed the Lord for taking away the only thing that softened his heart. He would probably destroy anything that got near him too. But he couldn't afford to do that. He had a child to take care of anyway. There was no time to be locked in a cell.
Lancelot sighed as he looked down at the infant in the crib. Tears ran down his muzzle and fell on the wooden structure. He stroked Elizabeth's quills lovingly as she slept soundly with a blush on her cheeks. He looked towards the ceiling and scowled.
Why did it have to be him? He had asked his God to answer the simple question multiple times but, of course, he didn't answer. At first Lancelot was filled with rage beyond belief. Every waking hour he would scream at the Lord. He would cry and curse at him with every profanity he could think of. But then when he was at his peak and ready to destroy every living thing his daughter had giggled. It was as if she were laughing at his behavior. And when he went over to she grabbed his finger and began rubbing it with her cheek.
At the moment Lancelot broke down. He cried and cried for many hours. He grieved and mourned until his tears went dry. When all was over he kneeled down and bowed his head. He folded his hands and prayed. He whispered with deep sorrow, "Please forgive me, my Lord, for all that I have said previously. I have no excuse for acting the way I did." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I know you do what you do because it will help me in the end. But why did you have to take Lenora? She introduced me to you. She was so delicate so innocent. I loved her so much. Why did you have to take my beloved wife," there he began to cry, "I know she's in a better place now. Would you please tell her I love her and I promise to take care of Elizabeth with all of my being? Please help me to get through this. Thank you Lord for all you have done, are doing and are going to do. Amen."
A second later Lancelot suddenly felt at peace. He smiled and again thanked Him. He got up and observed the sleeping child before him. He returned to stroking her quills lovingly. Elizabeth began to stir at the soft touches. She fluttered her eyelids open, her tiny, but lengthy, eyelashes moving delicately. At the moment she saw her father she felt happy. She smiled a toothless smile and gurgled.
Lancelot picked her up and placed her on his chest. He went over to the bed and lied down with her on his white patch. Elizabeth nuzzled the soft patch of fur and began to fuss. The midnight male began to draw tiny circles on her back and hummed softly, "You must be hungry." She only continued to whine until she was put upright and a bottle was in sight. She hungrily drank the warm milk. When she was finished Lancelot patted her back until she burped. With a small chuckle he cleaned her up. He kindly embraced her bringing his legs to his chest mindful of the infant in his arms.
Watashi wa itsumo anata ni watashi no shin'ainaru o hogo shimasu. Omo wa mata, anata o mamoru koto ga arimasu.
"I love you so much, Elizabeth."
Watashi wa anata no me no chīsana mono o miru tame ni matsu koto ga dekina- I can't wait to see your eyes, little one.
Anata no me wa, watashi no aisuru Erizabesu utsukushīdesu- Your eyes are beautiful my dear Elizabeth.
Watashi wa itsumo anata ni watashi no shin'ainaru o hogo shimasu. Omo wa mata, anata o mamoru koto ga arimasu- I promise I'll always protect you. May the Lord also protect you.
I'll mainly use King Arthur instead of Sonic for reasons that will show up later. ;) But wasn't that a cute but sad chapter? Just a warning, if you put the Japanese phrases in Google Translate it wont make sense. There's a certain cogitations and whatnot and Google doesn't follow that rule so... I had to type the phrases and English and just copy the translations. Sorry to people who read Japanese. I can't so I depend on Google.
Thank you! R&R
