Disclaimer: Game of Thrones is D&D's property, after being GRRM's property. Or else, Lancel would be the happiest kid in Westeros, should it be mine.
Summary: Lancel's wife had a secret, a heavy cross to bear. Lancel would not let her be crushed by any burden ever again.
Author's note: A huge thank you to Assassin Master Ezio 91 who helped in making the chapter guide and in brainstorming with me !
Author's note 2: English isn't my first language, it's french. If you see any mistake or issue with the language, feel free to tell me so that I can improve.
WARNING! THIS FANFICTION CONTAINS MATURE THEMES SUCH AS SEXUALITY AND ABUSE. IF THESE TRIGGER YOU, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP THIS FANFICTION. THANK YOU.
Lost and found
Chapter 7
Lancel was quite surprised to find himself alone at home as he entered through the main door. On the kitchen counter, he left the box of pastries he had bought, on Marissa's advice. It appeared Amerei had left on a rush, usually they left each other little notes, just to tell the other they were fine and they loved each other, as corny as it could be. Because they were corny, he had to admit it He decided to take her absence on the positive side, he was able to make some researches without fears of her coming from behind. He logged in and entered the foster family's name. While it loaded, Lancel wondered how Amerei never got to see the papers Marissa copied for him. Until he remembered how Merrett and Mariya were. Had she been caught sneaking around their room, or searching for something in it, she would have spent a bad moment at their hands. He thought of her child, trying to picture him. He would have her eyes. Her cheerful spirit. He felt warmth in his heart at such a picture. He could see Amerei pushing him on the swing, telling him a bed time story, caring for him as she'd soothe a fever.
What will you do if the child is alive but abused?
The question was waltzing in his head. In his mind, it was obvious the child was alive, happy, well cared for. But he also knew that Life could be cruel. What if Amerei's chid was indeed alive but suffering at the hands of unloving foster parents? How to explain everything to Amerei? Because he couldn't see himself hiding the truth from her. And if he spoke, Amerei would take action. He looked around.
"You felt ready to be a father. To see this place filled with laughter and baby noises. What difference would it make, if the child isn't yours by blood?"
But would Amerei agree? Back then, she had wanted to raise her baby but time flew away and with her heartache, with her fears, would she be able, would she want to have another go at it with her child? After being stolen four years of motherhood?
He also wondered if he wa as ready as he thought. It was easy to claim he was, but now faced with the possibility of having a child, not a baby, a child to provide for, he felt suddenly scared.
What if the child didn't like him?
What if the child wanted his biological father?
What if the child grew up to resent him, believing he took him in out of charity?
What if he messed up?
He stopped typing for a while, trying to breathe. He thought of his best friend, who had married the love of her life despite the concerns and even the opposition of both families. She had married the son of two reknowned physicians, a brilliant young man of her age...
But afflicted with schizophrenia.
She loved him truly,and he loved her with all his heart. Lancel could remember her words when they talked back when she announced him her first pregnancy. Her husband had been happy, thrilled but his joy had been clouded by his own fears. He was afraid to repeat his parents' mistakes. He was afraid to have passed on his illness, his own finding its source in his maternal family. He was afraid of his child being afraid of him because of it. He was afraid to hurt his child, or worse, if he was in a crisis. Little Maria was born, the spitting image of her father and his fears had melted away when he had hold her in his arms for the first time. A year and a half after, Elizabeth came. And now, at 24, Lancel's friend and her schizoid husband were expecting for a third time, a boy who was to be named Eugene. Their daughters were healthy and to almost everyone, they were a happy and almost perfect family, with a couple in love with each other and devoted to their babies. Lancel assumed his fears were shared by all the men about to become a parent. Parenthood was an adventure, especially with the first child, the one that changed everything and of course, change was frightening and brought up all the insecurities one had.
"What will I do if the child is abused? I could easily take the matter to Justice and win the case. Amerei could explain her story. Her parents are dumb enough to explain it too, though twisting it to match their wicked visions. Walda and Marissa would back us up. And for legal advice, Dad is the best person I could think of, if he wants to provide it."
He typed again.
"If Amerei's child is abused, they will hear me roar. From beyond the ruins of the Wall to Dorne, they will hear me roar."
The pages loaded.
"If Amerei's child is abused, I'll take him in. Simple as that."
He finally found what he was looking for. The couple had moved but not far from the house Marissa had pinned down.
"I'll go after work tomorrow." He thought
"I'm home!" Amerei's cheerful voice announced.
Lancel closed the windows and switched to Youtube.
"Hey there!" He replied, as she kissed him
"I'm sorry I didn't leave a note. Work called me."
"Work?"
"You remember Myranda? Ramsay Bolton's girlfriend? She had to be taken to the hospital. She was pregnant, didn't know it and was bleeding. They asked me to come and help finish the day."
"That poor girl... I hope she'll be okay."
"I can ask Walda if you want."
He nodded. She was studying him, making uncomfortable. She always knew how to read him.
"You're up to something, aren't you?" She asked
"I am."
"But you cannot tell me?"
"But I cannot tell you."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Not if I keep my temper."
"Oh, Lancel... What am I going to do with you?"
He smirked.
"I can think of a few thing you could do with me."
She smirked back.
"You naughty kinky mix."
The walls of their home were the only witness of their lust.
To Be Continued
