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: 18 years ago, Kevan and Dorna's firstborn son got taken away and despite their best efforts, he was never found. The couple had lost all hopes… Until a young man, with Kevan's smile, arrived in their younger sons' school.

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.

Author's note 3: Yes, Lancel's character here is a lot inspired by Emma Swan from Once Upon A Time.

WARNING! THIS FANFICTION CONTAINS MATURE THEMES SUCH AS ABUSE. IF THESE TRIGGER YOU, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP THIS FANFICTION. THANK YOU.

The Lost Cub

Chapter 9

Sitting at his desk, looking at the landscape outside, Lancel tried to calm himself down, his anger still burning inside of him. He wasn't stupid, Kevan and Dorna had a good point and it had been considerate of them to add his own feelings in the equation of the difficult task to reveal him his parentage. Yet another proof, if he had needed one, that he was loved. But proofs of love, he didn't need that, he was shown everyday that thy genuinely cared. It wasn't their fault he had been abducted, that he had ended up in the foster system and he believed them when they claimed they searched for him. But he found it hard to believe he had not been found sooner, especially considering the Lannisters' money and the fact he was always around, somehow. He understood them, he did, but still, it stung. Had they told him sooner, perhaps he wouldn't have been so sick. He thought back on all his years at the orphanage, all the families that took him in, all he went through. He swore he could still feel the burning pain on his skin, the sound of the hits, his younger self begging for mercy. He felt about to cry, but he refused to break down, he didn't want to give anyone that pleasure. Tears had never saved him or solved anything anyway, they earnt him more misery than relief. A small voice took him out of his thoughts.

"Lany?"

Janei was standing there, unsure about entering. Lany... It still felt weird to have a nickname, one found and given out of affection.

"Oh, hey Janei. Come."

She walked to him.

"Look, I... I'm sorry I scared you earlier."

He meant it. Kevan and Dorna's children had nothing to do with this. He wondered how the couple felt when they were expecting all three of them, how they lived the two pregnancies. They certainly were happy but did they have some sadness or guilt over him? He didn't want to think too much about it but it came to his mind, despite his efforts.

"It's okay. You were upset because of the mean people who hurt you, not because of Mommy and Daddy."

Her words left him stunned. Lancel had known many three years olds. Janei was the one who had first surprised him by how well she talked, by her vocabulary. However, he had explained it because she was a little child raised with two way older brothers, brothers who were around her and helped her. No, what left him so amazed was that a three years old girl was mature enough to understand why he was angry and where his anger was aimed. At three years old. She had understood the basics of his life, certainly having heard but actually understood, in her own way, what it meant.

"Wanna play with Dolly? That's what I do when I feel sad."

His newly found three years old baby sister was checking upon his eighteen years old mopping self... He felt ashamed. He couldn't say no to her and let her lead him to her room, where she set up everything.

"Lancel?" Willem asked shyly, guilt written over his face

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away."

"You obeyed your father. That's what a good son does."

"Dad wasn't again me telling you, he wanted to bring the matter in the most delicate way possible. I tried to bring it to you as gently as I could."

Lancel didn't reply, but he nodded. They all had good intentions and he couldn't blame them for trying to take his feelings into account. The road to the Seven Hells was paved with good intentions.

"Willem. You're fourteen. I can't blame you for something you don't have any power over."

Seeing him worked up, he sighed.

"I'm not mad at you. Nor at Martyn."

He didn't add that he wasn't as mad at Kevan and Dorna as he had let it appear. He was, but what upsetted him the most was the situation. He tried to forget and focused on Janei's little world, hoping she'd forget about his outburst.

XXXXX

"Lancel." Dorna said as he had returned to his room

He didn't reply but she paid no mind to it.

"Dinner will be ready soon. If you prefer eating upstairs, we understand. Just... Just let me know, so I can set the table up or prepare a trail for you."

Her voice hadn't changed, it was still soft, warm, so... loving. It was unsettling. He had basically slapped her husband and her with his words and she was here, asking him about what he preferred, putting his feelings first before her own wounds.

"Why are you doing this?" He managed to ask

Dorna seemed confused.

"Why are you still being so kind? I basically refused your husband and you. I humiliated you and insulted you. I should be on the streets, kicked out, by now."

"Why would I kick my own son out of his house for telling me how he felt?"

"I told you I wasn't your son."

"And you're right."

He looked at her, shock and surprise painted on his face.

"I gave birth to you and I have had the joy of raising you for the first months of your life. But after that, you were left on your own. You are eighteen now and you had to raise yourself. I wasn't there for you. True, it wasn't my fault you were taken away. But it doesn't change the fact that I only gave birth to you and loved you for such a short period of time in your entire life. I'm a stranger to you. Your father and I understand that. I have to earn the right to be your mother again."

Lancel felt a lump in his throat and he refused, one more time, to cry. It just didn't make any sense. He had insulted her, he had insulted her husband, he had scared her daughter, he had made her sons feel miserable and here she stood, so opened and understanding! Others would have slapped him, kicked him, deprived him of water and food, overload with with chores. Dorna was considering his feelings about eating with them. She was a stranger to him but he was a stranger to her too, still she showed him so much respect and affection it was overwhelming. He must have been in his thoughts for too long as he heard her call his name, worried. To his shame, he couldn't stop one small tear to discreetly roll down his cheek, but he was certain Dorna had spotted it, she spotted everything. A mom thing he assumed.

"I'm sorry, it's just..."

"Yes?"

"I'm not used to someone putting me first..." He confessed

Dorna went straight to him and she embraced him without any hesitation.

"Well, get used to it." She joked as she hugged him tighter

He hesitated but he shyly returned it, a few silent tears joining their sister. They were family, he realized. That was why Dorna was so patient, so opened, so accepting. Still, to be loved that was scared him. It had never worked before. And it was certainly his fault anyway. Why would it be any different with them, just because he had their blood? Dorna looked at him.

"You'rea bit pale, you must be tired. I'll bring you dinner tonight, so you can rest."

Once outside, she allowed herself to have a few tears escape her eyes. Because even if it had been shaky, Lancel had returned her hug.

She could still be his mother in the end.

He had shown her he trusted her.

To Be Continued