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: She was everything he wasn't, they were born in opposite social classes, yet it was her he wanted and no one else.

Author's note: This fanfiction is a bit special. Assassin Master Ezio came up with an idea, we worked it out together and he surprised me with a chapter guide, so you could say it's a bit of a collab! And yes, Marina is a self-insert, though her last name isn't my true last name.

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 DEALS WITH HEAVY THEME SUCH AS KIDNAPPING, SEX, FORCED SEX, HUMILIATION/BULLYING AND VIOLENCE! IF YOU ARE ILL-AT-EASE WITH THIS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP THIS FANFICTION.

A Love of Opposites

Chapter 20

Marina's reunion with her family had been a happy one. She had to admit she didn't expect her father to be so teary eyed and her brother even less. She had been worried someone would have suggested she stopped seeing Lancel after what happened. No one even brought the subject up, much to her relief. Her story was being broadcasted on every channel and her phone was buzzing with calls, messages from friends, worried about her. She felt blessed to be so cared for. What surprised her even more was that the Lannisters came to see her. Martyn, Willem and Janei, she wasn't that surprised, they were her friends. Kevan and Dorna, that made sense, Lancel was here too. Jaime? Well, he was the head of the investigation and he wanted to make a report to her. No, what surprised her was that Tywin came. He came for his nephew, she knew that, however he stopped by her room, accompanied by his brother, and he apologized for what she had been through because of her association with one of their kin. Kevan was mortified and she could feel his guilt. She wasn't mad, she told them. It didn't change her appreciation of the family, it didn't change anything between Lancel and her. Jaime had told her about their plans. She couldn't be mad at people who tried to save her just because their plan failed because of lack of time. Only those who never did anything couldn't fail. They did the best they could in this horrible situation, she understood them and if it made them feel better, she forgave them, though for her, there was no harm done.

"I told your family that your hospitalization fees and medical fees were on me. That's the least I can do." Kevan explained

"I'm pretty sure my dad told you no. I have a pretty good insurance." Marina joked

He had the hint of a smile. It confirmed what Tywin had first felt after he had met her:

Lancel needed someone like her.

XXXXX

Kevan had expected Lancel to be withdrawn but he hadn't thought he'd be so distant and cold. He had good reasons, he knew that, but it still hurt him to know his son was angry with him. He had been warm to his siblings, but to him, to his mother, to his uncle, he had been polite and that was all. He knew why. And he felt horrible knowing they had been saved in extremis, that Marina almost died as a collateral damage.

"We did what we could." Tywin stated

"Paying up was the quickest and safest bet." Lancel icely replied

"Jaime found you."

"Yes, drowning and hanging! Had I been alone, like the other times, I would have understood but Marina was with me! She had nothing to do with this whole mess and do you know why she was found hanging? Because she had made a deal to save my life!"

Lancel's words froze Kevan instantly.

"Marina was given a choice! She died like a lady and I was taken out of that pit! Guess what she chose? She almost died for me! She was ready to sacrifice her life for my sake! And this would have never happened if you had followed my words! But no. I guess I'm not worth being listened to. So I'll spare you the trouble from now on."

Marina had wanted to die for his son... Marina had put his son before herself in a dire situation... Marina almost died because she wanted Lancel to live and she had willingly made a deal with those sick freaks... She hadn't hesitated one second in her choice. Lancel was right, she should have never had to make that choice in the first place. He owed her so much and the fact that she wasn't even angry at them made him feel so low. He didn't deserve her as a potential daughter-in-law. Lancel's anger was justified even more. They had tried but that wasn't an excuse for what she had to live. The nightmare could have been over way sooner. Heck, even Marina's familywas understanding. Of course, her parents were upset but they knew the deal, they had agreed to it and in the end, what mattered to them was that their daughter was alive and well. Kevan could see how Tywin had sligtly stiffened. He knew him all too well, he was seeing Marina in yet another light and he certainly was bothered too.

"I'm sorry, Lancel." He said

His son nodded but didn't look at him.

"You can be."

XXXXX

Lancel felt relieved and happy when he was allowed to visit Marina. When he entered, she was sitting on her bed, sheets drawn up to her waist, and she was reading. She looked paled and her neck seemed itchy asshe had her hand on it, right where the rope marks were. This sight made his heart break. She had gone through so much in such a short time in his name... He still couldn't believe she had wanted to die for him, to sacrifice herself for him! He didn't deserve her, she always did her best to protect him, he had utterly failed. He had one way to protect her permanently though. She looked up to the door, feeling eyes on her and her smile was radiant when she saw him.

"Lancel! I'm so glad to see you!"

It was a welcomed change from the last time she had seen him, she could still feel the fear and numbness in her being as she remembered his body being taken out of that bloody pit. He approached and she designated her bed, so he could sit on it, next to her. She hugged him immediately.

"Marina, I..." He started

"Don't." She cut

She looked at him directly in the eyes.

"What happened is not your fault, got it? You didn't choose it. You are a victim too." She said, as if she was reading his mind

"You got taken because of your links to me..."

"A link I don't wish to cut."

He looked at her, starttled and confused.

"You almost died for me..."

"You tried to save me and to be taken alone."

She gently caressed his cheek.

"I love you. What happened isn't your fault. Don't feel guilty about it."

She felt Lancel's hand on her bruised neck, he softly kissed it.

Now, it was the best necklace she could ever wear.

XXXXX

Marina couldn't helpbut eavesdropping. Heck, that wasn't the proper term, they were talking near her door, unaware she could hear. However, Kevan and Dorna's tone saddened her and their words worried her.

Lancel wasn't talking to them anymore.

Lancel was angry, mad at them.

Because he felt they put her life on the line while they could have prevented all of it to happen. In a way, she undertood. It was true that, had they paid up, Lancel wouldn't have nearly drowned, she wouldn't have nearly died, Lancel wouldn't have been raped with her as a tool for it. However, she knew their side of the story. Lancel too, certainly, but he had been so scared for her that he snapped. He was simply just to hurt for the moment and just because she was able to seperate everything didn't mean Lancel had to. For now at least. But it made her heart ache to know that she was a cause of discord between him and his family, especially when it bothered Kevan and Dorna so much. She didn't want Lancel to cut ties with his family for her, not when they had been filled with good intentions. Lancel was aching, it needed to get out but not in a destructive way. She'd wait a bit, to see how it would evolve, but she vowed that she'd talk to him if things didn't move.

It seemed that it was with her only that he properly managed to open up and let things go.

To Be Continued