1vanth30s0m3: I'm not going to take up your time too much here. It's been awhile since my last story wrapped up and here I am again. I'd like to thank doodler for the opportunity to work on this story. I understand that someone else has also been writing about this AU from doodler and I want it to be known that I'm not trying to steal ideas or even ride that person's coattails. I simply wish to tell a good story. Hopefully you'll stick around for the ending notes since I want to use that space for a more productive reason and will try to stick to those when I write out any more notes. Please enjoy the first chapter.
A young Lincoln waited on the couch in the reading room, just as his mother had instructed him. He tugged at the collar on his shirt, trying to loosen it so he wouldn't feel strangled. The day was warm and the mansion was just as such. He finally heard the clacking of shoes on the wood floor and turned to see his parents leading a girl who appeared two, maybe three years older than him. They all stopped in front of the couch, the girl standing in front of them. She had buckteeth and her hair was drawn into a braid. Lincoln didn't know why she was there and eagerly awaited.
"Lincoln, as you know," his father began, "we have considered how to go about your education. We finally have decided that a private tutor is the best option for you. However, we also know that you need other children to play with," his father looked down and gestured towards the girl, "so we also decided to hire an apprentice to the maids. She will live here with the rest of the staff and fulfill her duties, but she will also be here to help keep you from feeling lonely." The girl was wide-eyed, looking very nervous at the prospect of the future that awaited her. Lincoln only looked curious, stuck in a state of wonderment.
"Go on, Lincoln, say hello," his mother instructed.
"Hi, I'm Lincoln," he said.
"Hello, my name is Luan," the girl said with a curtsy.
"Now, I do think it best for the two of you to get to know each other, so would you kindly show her around, Lincoln?" his father requested. Lincoln got off the couch and began an impromptu tour of the manor. He showed her every room, asking bits and pieces, not sure of what to really say. She was just as quiet, unsure of herself when responding. She noticed he was developing buck teeth, even if it was early, much like her. That was something they at least had in common.
"Why did you want to become a maid?" Lincoln asked. It was the only thing that felt right to say when he had exhausted what little small talk he knew. She waited for a moment.
"My mom made me," she replied, saddened. Lincoln only grew more curious to the answer.
"Why did she make you?" They had stopped in the middle of the hallway on the way to the north wing.
"She wanted to see me in a better place that would help take care of me," Luan said. Lincoln was sure that he didn't want to press that issue too much.
"Do you want to be with her?"
"Yes." Luan looked at the floor. Lincoln thought quickly.
"Where are you from?" She looked up, her face reverting back to nervous.
"Royal Woods," she spoke quietly, her voice distracted from her mother.
"Oh, that's a quick train ride away," he stated with realization.
"Have you been there?" Luan asked.
"No. I haven't been able to go many places and my parents won't let me visit places with them. But that'll change in a few months." He was jovial with the date for then.
"Do you want me to tell you about it?" He nodded fervently. They began their tour again, with her describing her hometown to him. He listened, marveling at her stories. She looked comfortable, as if she were in her own home and they were lifelong friends. Her voice was nice, as if he could listen to it for hours on end.
Lincoln enjoyed this memory, as he loved to remember meeting his best friend for the first time at the age of eight. He enjoyed the games they played, although he enjoyed her company always, particularly when ditching their responsibilities. Though it had been a month on from when they met, they hid in a den that was rarely used by his family and just as touched by the staff. He didn't like the schoolwork he had to do and she was trying to buy time before she had to do anything. She wore a white frilled cap, a simple gray dress, and the apron was not too far off from the cap in design. He was wearing an orange suit that was more to impress the tutor than to be comfortable.
"I don't know why I ever have to wear this stupid suit. It does nothing but choke me," Lincoln complained. Luan giggled a little.
"I like it. Orange seems to be your color." He looked at her with an empty warning in his eyes.
"If you like it, then why don't you wear it?" he jested. She laughed a little.
"I would but I'm afraid I would be mistaken for a savage, much like you," she delivered with a wide grin. He laughed, knowing her words were meant only for tickling him.
"I'm still wondering who took the pies from the kitchen," he rhetorically declared.
"I don't know, but three butlers certainly found them." Lincoln laughed harder, remembering how all three were covered in the varying pie fillings. She joined him in laughter, enjoying her handiwork. "I wish everyone could laugh like this all the time," she said in between giggles. He looked over at her, coming down from the giddiness.
"You want to see the world happy all the time?"
"Yeah. I only wish to make the world happy," she spoke with a bittersweet tone.
"That's what you'd love to do, huh?" He never knew before now.
"Yep." She pulled out something small from her pocket. He saw it had many sides, all of which were yellow, dangling from a small string. "I've got my wish right here: to see everyone happy and to bring it to them." She was smiling grandly. He saw her conviction of wanting to carry out the dream and saw the item go back into her pocket. He looked on at her, wondering if her dream could ever be fulfilled.
He stared, still, his face solemn and stony. He saw the caskets, ready to be lowered after some final words. He held the hand of Lily, his newborn sister. Lincoln wanted her to be able to see their parents one last time before interment, helping to build a chair for her carriage so she could look at them. His mother's words were always fresh whenever he saw Lily. Promise me you'll look after Lily, he heard her say with a voice growing weaker and weaker, all happening right after her delivery of her daughter. He promised her and she gave one final breath, smiling as she heard his words. He made sure he would keep his promise, always checking on her and tending to her if he heard her.
Luan was right beside him, looking worse than he was, tearing up but not sobbing, unlike some of the staff who were. He told them it wasn't mandatory to attend and he would understand if they wished not to, but all of them came. The mourners at the funeral were clothed in black garb. The crowd heard the pastor clear his throat and begin the last step of his job for the event.
"These poor souls were taken from us, beginning with the passing of Lynn Loud, of whom had passed away on the twelfth of April, in the year of our Lord eighteen-hundred and eighty-two. On the nineteenth of April, in the same year, Rita Loud passed away and has joined her husband, leaving their son, Lincoln Loud, aged 14, and their newborn daughter, Lily Loud. They were kind souls in life and so shall be in Heaven." The sky was gray but no other sign of rain coming was present. "I do believe that the book of Ecclesiastes has some important words for all of us and are most fitting for any occasion. I shall now recite chapter three, verses one through eight." He cleared his throat again. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance..."
Lincoln listened to the pastor. He waited for the man to be done, carefully observing each word he spoke. The words brought some comfort, but he wished not for comfort. He wished he could carry on with his parents being there for when he needed them most. And now he needed to be there when they needed him most. The pastor finished his services and approached Lincoln.
"My condolences, Mr. Loud," he spoke, voice filled with the same solemnity he kept from before.
"Thank you, Pastor Mannard," Lincoln replied. His voice was low.
"I'll go ahead and retrieve the gravediggers for their burial. Are you sure you wish to stay around?" the pastor asked.
"I wish to see things through and give them the first shovelful of dirt," he replied, still low with his voice.
"Then I shall be back in a moment." The pastor left, going to where the diggers were. Luan put a hand on his shoulder.
"Do you want me to take Lily back to the mansion?" Her voice sounded broken, trying hard to keep itself together. She noticed the staff heading back and wondered what Lincoln would like to do.
"No, let her be until I head back myself." He moved toward their gravestones, Luan pulling her hand away. She moved closer to Lily, staying within arm's reach of her. Lincoln stood before the deceased, looking over their gravestones to check for any imperfection.
A good wife and perfect mother, letting no one else say otherwise, he read on the stone for his mother. He made sure the words were perfect, wanting to never disrespect her memory.
A kind husband and an even greater father, he read on the stone for his father. The same case could be made here. The pastor returned with his two assistants, spades in hand. They lowered the couple into the holes, taking extreme care with doing so. True to his word, Lincoln gave the first portion of dirt to his mother and the next portion to his father, handing back the spade. He walked away, Luan and Lily in tow. He could hear the movement of dirt until he could hear no more, mostly since a set of walls blocked the sounds.
"Take Lily to her wet-nurse and please tell the staff that I don't wish to disturbed for the rest of the day," he told Luan after entering the foyer, the door barely being closed behind them. She nodded and he went to the den his father used almost all the time. Luan did precisely as instructed, informing those who needed to know and ensuring that Lily was to be taken care of before leaving her to see Lincoln. She opened the door with no warning and stepped in.
"May I come in?" she asked, unsure if he would entertain the thought of having her there at this time. He turned to see that it was indeed her before turning back and giving his response.
"Please do," he spoke quietly from his seat. She moved in farther after shutting the door with a soft thunk. "It's quite surreal, sitting here," he spoke again.
"How so?" she indulged the pleasantry, sure of what the answer might be.
"He would always sit there," Lincoln gestured at the giant, empty seat on the other side of the desk in front of him, "tending to any and all matters that were for business. I never saw him within this room without his presence on that side." He rested his head in one hand as he looked at the floor. "I'll never see him standing there again. He filled that seat, but now..." He turned to Luan and she saw his facade slowly breaking down. "But now… I'm not even sure I can fill it. Not even sure I want to fill it." She stood behind him and clasped a hand upon his shoulder.
"I'm sure you'll figure this out in due time," she said, trying her best to comfort him. "Maybe so, but… there's just so much to do," he voiced with grave concern. "I have to assume control over my father's business ventures; I have to make sure the estate isn't just suddenly taken away; I have to make sure Lily is taken care of; all the while with me needing to put bread on the table for everyone here." He looked back down. "Luan, I'm ill-prepared to be Master of the Estate."
"We all have faith in you," she said to soothe his woes. "You might not be prepared but I know you'll succeed. You always do." She finished with a giant smile showing off her buckteeth. He returned one that was weak, but it was still a smile nonetheless.
"Thank you, Luan, for your kind words," he said. "However, I must ask you follow suit with the other staff and allow me to be alone for the rest of the day. I apologize if I sound unreasonable."
"Not at all. I'll let you know if an emergency arises and requires your attention," she said and gave truth to her words by letting him be. With the door closed behind her, she set off for her normal rounds, checking to see if anyone was in need of company or wished to check on their employer's emotional state. She left each room since not one spec of dust or dirt could found and everyone was given the same information when she encountered them. Finally, she walked into Lily's room, sure there was something to pass the time there.
"How is Master Lincoln fairing?" the woman holding Lily as she herself sat in the rocking chair asked. Her age was certainly not large in number, though it was possible for her to be a grandmother (albeit, a young one at that), her hair reflecting this slightly and the formation of wrinkles barely taking root in her pale skin.
"He seems to be doing better than yesterday but the toll is still plain to see," Luan responded from a chair stationed near the door. "I'm assuming that tomorrow, Lincoln will wish to be left alone in his room."
"That's Master Lincoln. He's the head of the estate now; you must show him the proper respect his position carries," the woman scolded her.
"I am showing him respect. He had the title thrust upon him and is still trying to get used to holding it. He wishes that his father still held it," Luan said, defending her choice in words. The woman sighed.
"I suppose your words have merit, but that does not mean you should be used to speaking with a lack of title in your address of him." Luan couldn't argue her words. For as much as Lincoln was her friend, it was inevitable that he would simply become less so and then she would either have to leave or deal with it as her only paths.
"Fair enough," Luan submitted. "But for now, it's reasonable." The older woman chuckled.
"That stubbornness will either put you on the streets or take you to the top of society," the woman said as she stifled her laughing.
"And I'll gladly accept such a fate, Ms. Agnis," Luan spoke with confidence. With the time passing faster the more she conversed, night soon fell and she, along with all other members of the manor (to her knowledge), turned in so as to rise in the morning.
However, the next day was still as dreary as the previous one. Lincoln refused to have her as company, something she had expected and so she waited for the next day, and then the next day. And the one after that. It was at long last on the fourth day that she set her mind to disturbing her good friend in his time away from it all.
"Lincoln?" she called from her side of a large door after a quick rap. There was nothing. She repeated her actions, calling a second time, still gaining no response. "I'm coming in," she warned as she tried the knob. It gave no resistance to her entrance. She entered and saw Lincoln slumped in a chair, his clothes still surrounding him as if he had been productive through the night. He had severe bags under his eyes and the occasional snore let her know he was still breathing. "Wake up, Lincoln." She shoved his shoulder gently.
"What's the time?" he asked as he roused at her hand's behest.
"Time for breakfast," she answered. He rubbed his eyes to rid them of sleep.
"Send it up then," he responded, beginning to sit up and get some life into his limbs.
"Everyone's worried about you," she informed him. He paused and looked at her, his eyes barely focused.
"I'll be down in a few minutes, then," he conceded, slumping forward in the seat. She began to make her way out of the room so as to give him the space for his own needs but was stopped just before the door. "Tell everyone they're more than welcome to join me, though I suspect I won't be down there for long," he added on. She nodded and went to spread the news. Almost all of the staff declined such an offer, the only one willing to accept being Ms. Agnis, on the conditions that she not be served anything.
Enough time passed to cause Luan to wonder if she would have to go back to retrieve her friend when he showed up. His clothes were more put together and fresher looking, but he still had a disheveled look to his head. She knew better than to point it out, seeing how him arriving was an achievement in and of itself. He took his seat and bowed his head so as to stare at the table. Luan delivered his breakfast directly to him.
"How's the meal, Lincoln?" she asked after a few bites were taken. It was a simple testing of the waters, meant mostly to be done in stealth behind kind words.
"Quite good. Thank you," he said with little life in his words. She had taken a seat beside him, something she was rarely afforded a chance to do.
"That's good to hear," Luan said, unsure of what else to truly do. He continued to eat the meal in peace, leaving with barely a word at the end of it. Luan followed him, even after he ducked into his room and tried to shut the door behind himself.
"I wish to be in peace," he spoke with slight annoyance, turning around and seeing who he had given such a command to. "My apologies. I didn't see you there."
"There's no need to be sorry. I completely understand," she replied. He turned back to sit in his chair once more.
"I do wish to be alone," he said in a much calmer tone. She ignored this and went directly to him, standing by his side as he sat at his desk.
"I'm worried about you," she said, her tone showing it. "I haven't seen you smile in an eternity."
"Luan, now is not the right time–"
"I'm not leaving until I see a smile on your face, Lincoln." She delivered the ultimatum and he knew that he was in for a fight to be rid of her. "Did you hear about the man wandering a police station? Apparently when he was stopped and asked why he was there, he said he didn't have the faintest clue." She saw the twinges of a smile touch the edges of his mouth and used this as a hope to keep pressing on. "Did you hear about the other man wandering the police station? He was trying to find someone to talk to about his pole's lease", she delivered, allowing a smile to touch her lips. Lincoln was trying quite hard to suppress the smile he was developing.
"Please, Luan," he begged. She ignored him.
"Three men and a dwarf walk into a bar," she began. A knock at the door to the room interrupted her. They both looked toward the door.
"Enter," Lincoln called. The door opened to reveal a member of staff, a butler by the name of Drewson.
"There's someone here who requests to meet you, sir," he spoke, his very voice unsure if he should have even alerted the Master of the Estate to this guest and instead to have sent the person packing at the door.
"And might I inquire as to whom?" Lincoln asked. He was sure that a grave mistake had been made by the butler. Lincoln couldn't fault him, for he was just doing his job.
"Oh, my sweet nephew, Lincoln," came a rough, feminine voice with the owner following in immediately after. She was fat, with a face that was as horrid as the voice, if not more so. It had to be none other than Lincoln's own aunt, Ruth. She cracked a smile and he could confirm by the positions and level of destruction to the teeth that it was no impostor, though who would be daring enough to pose as her? The words that spilled from her mouth held no sign of humanity, brimming with greed and detestation of that which was held in the very word kindness.
"Hello, Aunt Ruth," he spoke, trying to be civil with his words, his face failing more and more every second in holding a facade of care toward her. She either didn't notice or refused to acknowledge it in any way, shape, or form.
"Oh, my darling, Lincoln. It's so sad what happened to your parents," she spoke, her tone anything but the sympathy such words should carry. "But I'm here now, so you don't need to worry your little head over a thing." Everyone in the room could tell this was a lie and Lincoln refused to buy it for even one second.
"Yes. It's a tragedy on both fronts," he spoke, his calm demeanor cracking for the animalistic fury that was starting to develop in the bottom of his soul. "You certainly missed their funeral."
"Oh, I tried. I really did, but the trains didn't wish to run on time," she said. He could see the faintest smile as she spilled the words. His hate began to become more and more rational the longer he was in her presence.
"Quite a shame, then," he said, his teeth nearly grinding, his jaw becoming more locked.
"Yes. And I feel there is one more tragic piece of business to talk about," she said, her eyes revealing the sheer glee she was to have from that business. "Alone," she said with a venomous tone and spiteful eyes toward Luan and then Drewson. Luan looked toward Lincoln, with him nodding for her to leave. His anger looked ready to break through at any moment, but he would keep himself collected. Luan simply knew he would.
She left, following Drewson outside the door. She paused, the butler long gone, and looked back at the door before continuing her departure. She busied herself, occasionally finding ways to walk past it to see if she could hear anything coming from it. Luan heard raised voices and even cackling at one point the past two times she was within earshot of the door. The cackling made her worry even more. Surely Lincoln was alright and it was nothing more than an exchange of harsh words. It had to be, right?
The door was soon opened and out waddled the behemoth of a woman, a grin so full of malice on her face that there was a chance this was Lucifer incarnate. She moved past the poor maid, giving no heed to the young girl. Luan grew scared that something terrible had happened to Lincoln. This was abated when she saw the young man walk out, only to return when she saw the defeated look on his face. She could see his hatred clearer than the day is bright. This worried her enough to approach him right then and there.
"What happened?" she asked. He took a deep breath and released it slowly in what appeared to be an attempt at calming himself.
"I don't think I should discuss that right now," he said, his voice full of rebellious defeat. It was intertwined with depressive tones.
"Is there anything I can do to help you?" she asked.
"No, I need to be on my way," he said, glancing out a window and seeing that it was late evening. "I might as well attend dinner." He spoke the last words with a voice that wished to be anywhere else in the world at that very moment. He moved, the very actions forced as he headed to the dining room.
He and Luan arrived, the beast sitting before them at one end of the long table. Lincoln took his seat at the opposite end, a look of disdain never leaving. Luan pulled herself into the background so as to stay out of the inevitable fray. The servants moved with caution, having looks of worry all their own as they set the table and served the food and drink. Lincoln ate slowly, never tearing his eyes from Ruth. She, on the other hand, ate quickly, consuming at rates that looked impossible to replicate. She was even rude if the staff didn't move fast enough to keep her drink filled.
"I can see you enjoyed your visit," Lincoln spoke when the dishes were cleared at long last, his voice strained to keep from laying into her. "And I can see it's evening. Surely there's a room that's been assigned to your name?" he asked, his tone having a sliver of hope that she would be gone from his presence. Ruth wiped her face before giving him a malignant smile.
"Am I to be turned away for the night? Is a member of your family truly meant to leave and not be offered a room so as to rest her weary head?" she asked, her voice wicked and knowing of what the answer was to be for her. Lincoln finally began to snap, her presence having offended him to such a point so as to cause a side of him to appear that no one had seen before in the mansion.
"You dare to beg of me a place to stay? Is it not enough that you insult the memory of my parents by coming here that you should also rest here?!" he spoke with viciousness. Ruth merely smiled.
"I'm just concerned with the idea that my own flesh and blood should live without a proper guardian to care for them," she said, the smile becoming the size of a Cheshire Cat's and many times more evil. "I'm simply willing to watch over them until they can truly claim that which is theirs." All of the staff who heard stopped moving, exchanging glances of extreme concern over what was said. "Your mother certainly was unable to make those tough decisions, being so daft as to marry that father of yours."
There was a thick silence. Lincoln visibly clenched his fists and stormed out. If looks could kill, his would have wiped out a large city. Luan saw the smile on the vile woman and left, knowing she had to check on Lincoln before he did something stupid. She searched for him quickly, barely finding him via his voice as it came from Lily's room.
"I want you to prepare for her to leave," he commanded, his tone much calmer than Luan was expecting. She peeked in, seeing him, his sister, and Ms. Agnis.
"For how long, master Lincoln?" the older woman asked. Luan finally entered and was ignored by everyone. He hesitated, clearly thinking on his feet.
"I don't know. But I know it will be for a long time," he said. He began to sound as if his decision was becoming second-guessed by himself.
"As you wish, Master Lincoln," she said and began to move about the room, preparing the baby for a trip. Lincoln moved past Luan and she followed him.
"What's going on, Lincoln?" she asked, worried about what he was going to do.
"I'll tell you when we have more privacy," he replied, keeping a quick pace. They passed a few rooms more until he entered his own bedroom. He closed the door behind her and began to move about with great speed, grabbing things and throwing drawers open to retrieve various clothes.
"What's going on?" she asked again. He paused and slumped his shoulders.
"She's taking everything from me," he replied, sounding defeated in the most absolute sense of the word. Luan stood shocked, unsure of where to begin in her line of questioning.
"Well… can't you fight her for it? Surely a judge wouldn't let this happen," she spoke, trying to find a way to make sense of it all. He gave a sigh and slumped farther.
"I can't. She has Flip as her lawyer and there's no one able to match him. The only way to beat her is to hire him, but this leaves another problem. He'll nickel and dime me, leaving me in the same place as before," he explained. He turned around to face her and she could see he hated the current decision he was making, but there was little else for him to do. He wanted to just break down and cry, to leave it all alone and pray the world would right itself soon. He turned back around to continue his packing.
"Please, don't leave. I'm sure we can do something to stop her," Luan pleaded, grabbing his arm in an attempt to prevent him from disappearing. He stopped and faced her again, this time with determination behind those eyes of his.
"I don't trust her in the slightest and I'll be damned if I have to stay here even one night with her desecrating my parents' home," he said, no longer with that sense of wishing the world to be right and instead with the intent of making it right himself. He resumed his packing, Luan letting him go.
"Then I'm coming with," she said, just as determined as him. He stopped once more to face her yet again.
"Luan," he tried.
"I'm coming with you, Lincoln," she interjected. "If you aren't here, then why should I stay? I'll end up leaving all the same. At least this way, I'll have your company." She felt a slight blush at the end of her words, but Lincoln either ignored it or didn't wish to dwell on it in the slightest.
"Then hurry with your packing. I have to grab some things," he told her, leaving the room with quickness in his step. She left as well, running to her quarters. Luan arrived and was thankful that she ran into no one since she would refuse to explain what was about to happen to anyone. She grabbed her things in spite of how little there was and hurried back, extra careful to not meet anyone that wasn't Lincoln or Ms. Agnis.
"Hello?" she called out as she entered his room, luggage in hand. Nothing was her answer. She set her things down by his own luggage and waited for his return. She felt a long time pass before Lincoln came to the room, breathing heavily as he adjusted something in his pockets the whole while.
"You ready?" he asked, still trying to catch his breath and wiped his brow of sweat.
"I am," Luan stated, steeling her resolve to follow him wherever he might roam.
"Good. What about Lily? Did you see Ms. Agnis yet?" he asked, grabbing his things.
"No, I haven't, so I don't know," she said truthfully. Lincoln adopted a look that incorporated fear into its base.
"Let's go find them, then," he said, voice distant.
They grabbed their things and left the room. She followed him, keeping pace with how quickly he moved. He was nearly running by this point, with his legs never once stopping for anything. If they ran into someone, then they would pick up more speed as Lincoln brushed them off. At long last, they were outside of Lily's room. He hesitated, unsure if both of the people who were supposed to be here still were. He pushed the fear away and opened the door, wave after wave of relief washing over him when he saw that both were perfectly fine.
"Thank you, Ms. Agnis, for helping with Lily," he said, joy starting to replace all of the negative feelings he held.
"You're quite welcome, Master Lincoln. The carriage should be ready for transport, sir," she said, hefting lily and trying to grab the baggage for her. Luan grabbed it instead, getting a word of gratitude from the older woman, and they left. Just as she said, the carriage was ready with horses hooked up and a driver waiting. Lincoln helped to secure their belongings and off they set.
"Where are we headed?" Luan asked Lincoln, unsure if she wanted an answer.
"The train station," was his reply. She could sense that there was more to be said, but felt it was best not to pry further. The trip was quick and quiet, save for the sounds of Lily, depending on her whims and wishes with Ms. Agnis keeping her entertained. They soon stopped, having arrived at their destination. They were helped by the driver with their things and soon the carriage pulled away, the rumbles against the road becoming lost in the night that had settled around them. They all approached the man selling tickets.
"Four for Royal Woods," Lincoln said. The man behind the counter looked at him with disinterest before moving to grab the tickets and giving him the price for them. Lincoln reached into a pocket and paid, taking back the change that was due and thanking the man. The man simply resumed the reading of a book, giving them no more mind.
"Lincoln, why are we going to Royal Woods?" Luan asked, the situation becoming even more queer to her. Lincoln looked down at the ground before giving an answer.
"Because it's the only place where Lily can be safe from Ruth," he said with solemnity. Luan looked confused. Before she could say a word, however, Lincoln continued. "She said a lot of things when I was alone in that room with her. She made all sorts of threats and was quite clear that she would seek to ruin me before I could even consider keeping my parents' memory alive. I didn't care about the money, but I made sure she knew I wouldn't let her do a thing to destroy their memory. That's when she threatened to remove those who could oppose her." He ran his fingers through his hair. "She knows that I'll fight back, that I won't be an easy victim of hers. But Lily is defenseless against her, Luan. She would stoop so low as to kill a baby." His voice was somber. "I had to leave for Lily." He became quiet again.
"We would have helped you. We would keep Lily safe from her," Luan tried to comfort him. He looked at her with the most serious of expressions.
"You don't understand. She's far too powerful to be an enemy, even for my family. At some point, Lily was going to join mom and dad because of her. It's just easier to run than to stay," he said. She could see the ugly truth in his words. If she was in charge, then it was inevitable that some members of staff would leave and then she would fill the spots with people more willing to dispose of bodies that belonged to children.
The train that was their ride arrived and they boarded it, settling in for the journey ahead. Everyone began to doze, with the exception of Lincoln. He watched the dark outside pass by, listening to the snores of his entourage. He kept an eye on Lily, seeing if she was about to slip from her wet-nurse's arms. His mind calmed down, making him wonder if he was overreacting or if he had made the right choices. The train made it to their destination and he roused Luan and Ms. Agnis so as to leave with their things.
With all of their worldly possessions in hand, they set off, Lincoln leading them to wherever it was that he needed to go. The streets twisted endlessly, block after block being passed by. Lincoln had thrown on an air of knowing where he was going, but he was clueless and simply looking for any building that looked like a suitable place to stay for a small while. He suspected that those with him were beginning to think he was lost, but then God graced him with a hotel when he turned the next corner.
It looked a little worn and didn't reside in the most comfortable looking area of town, but it was good enough for the night at least. He led them inside with renewed vigor and found a man behind a counter, looking tired and ready to fall asleep, his thick glasses resting at the end of his nose as he read a newspaper. He looked up to see the four of them and immediately began to set out a ledger.
"How many for how long?" the wizened man spoke, his voice hoarse.
"Four and at least a week," Lincoln answered.
"Three, Master Lincoln. I'll be leaving tonight," Ms. Agnis spoke up to correct him. The man behind the counter gave a barely noticeable grunt.
"We only have one room available," the man said.
"That's fine with me," Lincoln said, inadvertently causing Luan to blush. The man charged Lincoln and the boy paid, taking the key after signing the ledger. He followed the instructions given to him on where to find the room and arrived promptly at the top floor. A quick turn of the key later and they were in the room.
It was certainly qualified for the definition that is given to a room, with a bed, a chair, a desk, and a full bathroom. However, it was clearly rundown with the only decent description being that the room could not have been rotting in any sense of the word. The smell was at least bearable. They moved in and set their things down.
"I'm going to see if he has a cradle somewhere. I'll be back," he called behind him as he left the room for that errand.
"We'll see you when you return, sir. I only need a minute to explain to Luan her new duties," Ms. Agnis called back. Lincoln shut the door, traversing his way back to the counter again. He arrived, finding the man looking more tired as he continued to read a newspaper.
"Excuse me, sir," Lincoln said, trying to grab his attention. The old man looked at him again, his eyes looking not at all ecstatic to see this patron again. "I was wondering if you had a cradle for my baby sister." Lincoln was nervous, unsure if the man would bark some obscenity at him to force him away. Instead, the old man let out a sigh and moved from behind the counter.
"Follow me," he said, making a gesture to add on to his words. Lincoln obeyed, seeing him walk until he came to a door. The man opened it, peering inside before bringing out the cradle within. He reached back into the room and brought out a brick of worrying size. Before Lincoln could say or do anything, the man dropped the brick from a couple of feet above the cradle. He proceeded to drop it again and then a third time, each time with it landing inside. He grunted softly again before putting the brick away. "Here you go, son. This should hold up for her."
"Thank you, sir," Lincoln said, grabbing the cradle and trying to move it. He failed in lifting it, instead dragging it by accident.
"Don't drag it!" the old man panicked. Lincoln stopped moving it.
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean–" The old man waved his hands, stopping Lincoln from finishing his apology.
"I'll help you move it. These floors are hard enough to maintain," the man grumbled. He grabbed one end and Lincoln grabbed the other. Together, they lifted it, carrying it to the room Lincoln was staying in. Lincoln opened the door and ignored whatever was happening, giving his entire attention to the cradle. It was set down at long last and the man left, giving a brief wave of the hand on his way out and closing the door behind him.
"Are you okay?" Luan asked, seeing how out of breath he was.
"I'm fine," he said, his breathing returning to normal.
"Well, I guess I must say this now. I'm going to ask that you consider this my final act under your employ, sir," Ms. Agnis said as she stood up. Lincoln looked confused. "I'm leaving since I feel that I would only be miserable under the employ of your relative and that I must also help my sister since she's taken ill." Lincoln tried to say something before being cut off. "I've been expecting to leave sometime soon, but I thought it would be when mistress Lily was no longer in need of my services.
"So, it is here I must say goodbye and that I enjoyed my time working for you and your family, sir," the now former wet-nurse explained. "Luan, you make sure to follow what I said as well as look after both Master Lincoln and Mistress Lily. It is in your hands that their lives sit." The woman turned to leave, grasping the handle to the door.
"Three years," Lincoln said to her. She stopped what she was doing to face him. "I want you to visit in three years, to the day. I'll have my home back by then."
"Will do, sir," Ms. Agnis said, exiting through the door with only a quick adieu and then disappearing completely from sight.
The world suddenly seemed so much bigger to Lincoln when she left. He was, in many senses, truly alone. All ties to his parents were simply gone, save for Lily and Luan. It obscured the size of the Earth to him, but when he thought on how it was only the three of them now, he felt the sudden size slam into him with full force. Due to this, he sat in the chair, barely processing it all at once.
"Do you really think we'll go back home by then?" Luan asked, settling Lily into her new cradle. He stared at the wall.
"I don't know," he said, "but I'll die trying." He sounded unsure of himself. Luan set a hand on his shoulder.
"I believe in you," she said, trying to comfort him. He looked up to see her giving a weak smile, though it was helpful in bringing him peace. Before he could say anything, Lily began to fuss.
"I, uh, I… I need to feed her," Luan said, another blush coming over her.
"Go ahead then," he replied, unsure of what to say.
"I'll just be a minute," Luan told him with a teetering voice as she grabbed the baby and made her way to the bathroom. Lincoln was unsure of what she was doing, but trusted her. He began to unpack his things a little, making sure he had everything he needed for the next week. Lincoln was double-checking everything when he heard a high-pitched yelp come from the bathroom. He quickly walked over to it.
"Are you okay, Lu–" he began as he opened the door, his words failing him as he looked at the sight before him. He saw Luan holding lily in both hands, as well as Lily suckling at Luan's leftmost teat, her right breast just as exposed. Luan saw him and turned such a shade of red, that if there were a word for it, this shade would be perfect for that word. He could feel the same happening to him. He closed the door slowly as he backed out, neither saying a word over the incident. He was unsure of how much time had passed when he found his way back to the chair and waited in it.
Luan came out of the bathroom with Lily in her arms and bosom covered once again. She was still blushing, unable to look Lincoln in the eyes and vice versa. She put Lily back in the cradle and sat on the bed, fidgeting with her hands.
"I'm sorry I walked in on you," Lincoln spoke softly.
"It's fine," Luan said in kind. "I think we should probably go to bed now." He finally mustered the courage to look at her again.
"I'll take the chair and you get the bed," he said with a voice that was nearly back to normal.
"No, Lincoln. There's plenty of room for the both of us," she said, her words true since the bed could hold up to four people abreast comfortably. He sighed, not wanting to argue it since he was sure he would lose.
"O-okay," he said in a slightly shaky voice. She left him, her bag in hand, for the bathroom once more. He waited, not wanting to walk in again. When she came out, she was dressed in a white nightgown, her hair fallen around her head. The nightgown looked soft, making him want to touch it, though he resisted the urge. She began to fidget with him staring and that was when he broke the gaze, removing himself to the bathroom so that he, too, could prepare for sleep.
He came back out, dressed in his own nightwear that consisted of a silky shirt and pants that were dyed orange, complete with a label above the right breast of his initials. He saw her staring at him, holding an expression that he himself must have held when he first saw her come out. He worked to turn off the lights and leave them in the dark of the night. He crawled into bed and faced the door while on the side closest to said door.
"Good night, Luan," he said with a yawn at the end.
"Good night, Lincoln," she returned.
He laid there, waiting for sleep to come to him. It failed for what felt like an eternity. He turned over, hearing the gentle breathing of Luan. He smiled, happy to see she was beside him in this moment of his life. He noticed a bright color hanging around her neck and recognized it. He could hear the words of her dream all over again.
To see everyone happy and to bring it to them, he heard her say. He closed his eyes, his final thoughts being You've made me happy, Luan. And I promise to help you with that dream. Someday soon, it'll be true. And then sleep came to him.
1vanth30s0m3: That was quite something. If you enjoyed it, then hopefully you'll stick around for the rest of the story. I've never written an AU nor have I ever dreamed I would. I'd like to take this time to say that I'm probably going to get these chapters released very slowly, so hopefully I'll be able to keep to a schedule of no more than every three months (I'm not joking). At least until I finish everything and then I'll up the releases. I'd also like to take this time to recommend stories to you, dear reader. The first two stories go against my personal criteria for this section, but I'll also be putting in two instead of one, so nothing will be as I want it to be in the future as I have it now.
The first story is "Loud Like Love" by ThisAccountKillsFascists. I think I forgot to mention them in the last story I wrote and so I'm just being safe here. The second story I want to recommend is "A Sister's Love" by (current name) Outsider316. Both can be found on and are great stories. I really think you should check them out. In the future, I'll be aiming for stories with under 50 favorites and50 follows as well as less than 100 reviews from the same site. Other than that, tell me or doodler what you think about this story either here or on . Reviews and/or pm's are greatly appreciated.