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 11
The new of Lancel reuniting Amerei to her lost child and more than willing to raise her quickly made its way in his family, causing various reactions.
Tyrek had smirked, stating it was just like Lancel to do that.
Joy had always enjoyed Lancel's company but his act made her see him in another light and gain her utmost respect. She knew all too well the hassles of secret births.
Myrcella and Tommen found what he had done for his wife absolutely sweet and a proof that they shared a true love.
Others were less positive.
Joffrey wondered why Lancel bothered with such a child. It wasn't the fact that it wasn't his that bothered him. It was the fact that her father could never be identified. Lancel would have to look at every man around him and wonder if he was the one to impregnate his wife.
Lancel's grandfather, Harys Swyft, found all that Lancel did unecessary. Yes, he saved a child from child abuse and slavery, which was a good thing. Also, the fact that his wife knew the truth was a good thing. But he didn't have to put on with the burden due to a condom failure.
Cersei had mixed feelings. What Lancel had done proved, if anything, what a great husband Lancel was. However, it proved her point. Amerei was a slut, and maybe she had planned all this: meeting Lancel, marrying him, getting his money and influence to take back her child. As a Lannister, he deserved better than that and couldn't understand why he seemed happy with it.
Tywin actually felt pride in his nephew. Lancel had acted as a true Lannister, he had shown he too had the Lannisters cunning. He didn't particulary liked the situation or had a true opinion on whether Lancel had to put up with Ashleigh. But Lancel, who was usually shy and meek, had roared loud and clear. He had known what he wanted and he had taken it. Besides, Kevan seemed actually happy about that sudden granchild. For these reasons, should Lancel desire to fully adopt Ashleigh as his own, he wouldn't oppose.
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"Are you sure it's going to be okay? I mean, we just got her back and..." Amerei stuttered
Lancel smiled at her.
"You have business to do regarding your parents' house and I have the day off. You're not leaving Ashleigh behind, you're leaving her with her stepfather. It's fine, Amerei. Just go and don't worry."
She nodded and he kissed her goodbye. He looked at the clock. It was still early, Ashleigh could still sleep for a while. Amerei and him had talked for a long moment about her immediate future. For now, they had agreed on keeping her home. She had never been to school or had any proper sociolization with other children. The outside world was a battelfied to her and they didn't want t overwhelm her. They'd teach her what kindergarden taught until she felt ready for school, hoping her interactions with Janei and their friends's children would help her. She needed to understand that she was now in a true home, safe, and loved. Around nine, he decided to check on her. If she was asleep, he'd leave her. If she was awake, maybe she didn't dare to go down until ordered. He could still see her surprise and hear her statement about her room: that it was too good for someone like her, Mrs Grendal had said so. He remembered the pain he felt hearing this. He discovered a woken Ashleigh, trying to take out her sheets, clearly upset. And with the smell, Lancel easily guessed what had happened. He approched slowly.
"Ashleigh, what are you doing?"
The girl was starttled and started to shake, tears gathering in her eyes, eyes she kept low.
"I'm sorry, Mister Lannister, I didn't mean it..."
As he got closer, she bowed her head, expecting a hit, breaking his heart even more. He knelt in front of her.
"Ashleigh, look at me."
His voice was soft, she met his gaze.
"I promise you, I will never raise my hand on you."
"Even if I am a bad girl?"
"There are other ways to make a bad girl understand she was bad. And here, you're not being bad."
She shyly nodded.
"Now, what happened?"
"I peed in the bed..."
"That's not a big deal. Sheets can be washed. You didn't do it on purpose, did you?"
"No..."
"Then, it's fine."
Seeing she was still worked up, he smiled.
"Wanna know a secret? Even Mommy doesn't know."
Her eyes betrayed her curiosity.
"When I was younger, I fell very very ill, to the point I couldn't get out of my bed alone. I was a big boy, I was eight. Yet, because of me being sick and unable to leave my bed, I peed in it."
"Your mommy wasn't upset?"
"She was sad I was ill. But she wasn't upset for the bed."
A smile finally lightened up her face.
"I'll put these in the washing machine. What about you having a good bath and then breakfast?"
He felt pride when she confidently took his hand. She was surprised to see all the attentions he had for her, things he felt were natural, he had done the same things with his own little sister. No one had asked her if she wanted to play in her bath with bath toys. No one had asked her if she wanted her hair done and how. No one had asked her what she wanted to eat. She was even surprised to be asked such questions. Just as he had been surprised to see her get up after she was done, picking up her dishes and ready to wash them. He found an agreement. He washed, she dried, he tidied. She was beaming in pride as she was helping and her help was appreciated. He looked at her as she was drawing, humming happily, her little feet kicking the air as she sat in the living room, her lion plushie sitting next to her. They had bought her a few toys, so she wouldn't be bored, until they'd take her to buy some more. That little lion had become her best friend. She was such a precious little girl and he wondered how Alayne Grendal had found in her heart the desire to hurt her as she did. The mere memory of his visit made him sick. The rain made it impossible for them to go out much to Ashleigh's disappointement, she adored their garden.
"Have you ever seen a Disney movie?" Lancel asked
She didn't. He wondered why it surprised him still. He opened his chest. Amerei wasn't Disney material, while Lancel had spent his teenage years in it with Janei being born as he was about to turn fourteen. But she enjoyed watching one movie with him from time to time, especially when he had never complained about her watching things she knew he actually hated. He watched with her, because he knew she liked it. He had endured both Fifty shades of Grey and Fifty shades darker, in an actual theater, on the day they came out, having booked tickets for two, just to maker her happy as he knew she adored the main actor and had loved the books. He had went as ar as buying her the dvds and the soundtrack, the movies' only enjoyable feature in his eyes. So, a Disney movie from time to time, it was simly normal for her to watch it with him. Ashleigh watched, amazed, at all the covers, much to his amusement. He let her pick the one she wanted. To his surprise, she had chosen Tangled and the story painfully matched hers. A little girl taken away from her parents to be locked away and used by another woman, until a man came to her tower and made her see the world, before reuniting her with her family. He wondered if he had to object, but after all, she had picked. They could always switch if she disliked it. In the end, she adored it, her favourite character being the royal guard's horse. Her laughs and happy face were worth everything.
But what made his day was when she was finally able to call him by his name.
He wasn't a stranger anymore.
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Dorna was intrigued by the noises that came from Janei's room. Not that her daughter was particulary messy in the first place, but she wasn't known for tidying her room in such a noiseful fashion. As she went upstairs, she found a big box in the corridor, filled with toys, stuffed animals, dolls... Janei's room was open and quite the mess as the girl was searching through every chest, every wardrobe she had. Kevan soon joined them and asked what his wife was wondering:
"What are you doing?"
"Being a good auntie!" Janei cheerfully replied "Ashleigh has my old clothes but she just arrived, she might not have a lot of toys. I don't play with those anymore and they're still in pretty good shape. She can have fun until Lancel and Ami provide her with new ones."
Dorna was beaming with pride.
"That's very thoughtful and kind of you, Janei. Do you need a hand? Once you're done, maybe we can visit?
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Amerei came home way later than she had expected, soaking wet, tired and still nauseous. She went to Ashleigh's room, finding her asleep, a thumb in the mouth, holding her cub close. She kissed her forehead.
"Mommy loves you."
In the kitchen, Lancel had brewed some tea to warm her up.
"How did it go?" She asked as she sat
"Pretty well. She finally called me Lancel."
She smiled and noticed an open box filled with toys.
"My parents came over. Janei gave her old toys to Ashleigh so she can play more. She wanted to be, I quote, a good aunt."
"Your sister is one of the most precious little girls in the world."
"Aye, I'm blessed to be her brother. And... Don't hate me but... Ashleigh loves Disney."
"What am I going to do with you?"
"I was told I was pretty good as a bed warmer."
"Won't we wake Ashleigh?"
"I'll tell her you were tired from your day and you needed to rest. And I wanted to help you rest."
"You watch Once Upon A Time too much."
That night, a thunder storm cracked the sky and Lancel found himself, the next morning hugging his wife but also his stepdaughter, who had sneaked in and fallen asleep between them two.
To Be Continued