Work Text:
Rhysand should have expected today to have some sort of chaos brought to it. Recently life had been too smooth. Life was going well. Feyre was improving as High Lady each and everyday. She grew more confident and the people of their court grew to love her nearly as much as he did. Slowly, but surely life was improving in Illyria. Devlon and him were finally seeing eye to eye, and the older male was doing what he could to enforce the new regimens to the males and females that he watched over. Even the Court of Nightmares was changing. Nowhere near as quickly as anyone would like, but it was changing.
The greatest change to his life though came this morning. He and Feyre had been enjoying a lovely breakfast together on their back patio, enjoying the crisp Autumn morning together before their days.
In those peaceful moments, out of the house runs a small fire-spitting redheaded child. Immediately, Rhysand pulls Feyre behind him, keeping himself between them.
“Where’s my Dad,” the small child demands, stomping his foot down.
Feyre steps around him, kneeling down before the child. “Hello, can you tell us who it is you’re looking for? Maybe my husband and I could help.”
The child refused to approach her any further, his face fixed in a frown as his eyes darted between the two of them. He hesitated for a moment longer before finally answering. “I’m looking for Ewis, he’s my Dad.”
Feyre spoke silently to Rhys’ mind. I wasn't aware that Eris had children. Rhysand wasn’t aware of that either. Azriel surely would have mentioned something if Eris did have children.
“What’s your name child?” Rhysand asked.
“My name’s Lucien.”
What?
Lucien had stayed the night, chatting until the early hours of the morning with Feyre as Rhys lightly dozed against her side, listening to the two chat and laugh. They'd all retired to their beds around 3am and hadn't seen Lucien since then. But that didn't mean that he was this kid. How could that be true? Lucien was a growing adult, nearly 300 years old, it was impossible for this little child spitting sparks past his lips as he glared that famous Vanserra glare. It was impossible.
Or was it?
Weirder thing have happened in recent years. Three humans had been turned Fae in recent years, who's to say it's impossible for a grown Fae to be reverted to a child. One who clearly had no memories of how old he truly was nor the life events he's lived through during that time.
Whatever was happening, Rhys knew help would be needed. Quickly, he sent out a message to his Inner Circle letting them all know something had happened to Lucien and that he needed all of their support until this was solved.
“Lucien? Why don't you come wait with us in our office while we wait for Eris. Does that sound okay?”
The child thought for a moment, before nodding. Feyre tried to take his hand, but he refused marching on behind them. He and Feyre shared a look, hoping the other might have an answer to this entire situation. They didn't. Hopefully as the others arrived, someone would have the beginning of an answer for what was happening.
However, it seemed that every new person that entered the room just brought up Lucien’s walls further. If Rhysand had thought that Lucien as an adult was guarded, he shouldn’t have been surprised to see the same behavior so early in the youngest Vanserra’s life. After all, with a father like Beron, one had to learn so early in life how to protect themselves.
Nearly, the entire Inner Circle had arrived and so far no one could calm Lucien. (Maybe Elain would have been able to, but Rhys didn’t want to risk anything with their mating bond until they had an idea of what was going on). Feyre had done alright at first, but Lucien was restless, looking for anyone familiar. He’d asked for Eris multiple times already but until Azriel arrived he had no way to contact the heir of Autumn directly.
Speaking of Azriel, he should be here any moment now; usually he was the most punctual of his Circle, but something was different today.
As if summoned by Rhysand’s thoughts, Azriel entered the room. His usually stoic brother’s face shattered as the shrunken Lucien ran to him.
“Papa!” Lucien yelled. Azriel had crouched down and caught the young boy, holding him close, murmuring in Lucien's ear to settle the boy.
Azriel’s eyes met him over Lucien’s head, and the message was clear. ‘What the hell is happening?’ Azriel asked Rhysand, mind to mind.
“We have no idea. All I know is that when Feyre and I got up this morning, Lucien was a child and has been a little terror until you showed up.”
Azriel went silent, thinking for a moment. “There’s a lot to explain. Let me take care of this little one, then I’ll answer everything” And with that, Azriel left the room, taking Lucien with him.
---------------
Azriel was in shock.
When he woke up today, lying comfortably in his mate’s arms, he hadn’t expected to be awoken by Rhysand pounding on his mind’s walls, telling him of an emergency in the Night Court. He’d begrudgingly gotten out of bed, leaving his mate with a kiss before leaving. When he entered the River House, his shadows informed him that everyone was gathered in Rhysand and Feyre’s office. Upon entering, he hadn’t ever thought even for a moment that his son would have been turned into a child again and that he would come running for him, so distraught being surrounded by strangers.
He needed Eris’ help.
Reaching down their mating bond, he plucked the string connecting their souls waiting for a response. When Eris tuggeld back he sent a simple message. I need you here now, it’s about Lucien.
Silence, then I’ll be there soon.
With that out of the way, all Azriel’s attention could be turned back to his son. He carried Lucien back over to Feyre and Rhysand's sitting room. Taking a seat on the sofa, he moved Lucien to sit in his lap.
“Little Kit, do you know where you are?”
He shook his head. “I woke up and you and Dad were gone.”
So he had no memory after this young age, good to know.
“I'm sorry we scared you little one. You must have been sleeping so deeply that you didn't even know we'd traveled.”
“Why did we leave our home?” He asked.
Azriel was going to have to make something up quick. He and Eris had agreed that it was best to keep Lucien hidden away from the world, just how Beron had wanted him raised, so why would they have moved him from that safe house?
“Well Little One, Eris and I were needed here in my Night Court home and we very well couldn't leave you alone, so I brought you with me.”
Lucien nodded and snuggled back into his hold for a few moments, silence settling for a while. And soon enough Azriel could hear quiet snores coming from his son. It gave him some more time to think, being able to contemplate just why this might have happened.
Ever since the war with Hybern, life had been hectic. There was so much to rebuild, so many people Azriel had needed to keep eyes on, and yet not once had he heard an utterance of someone having a vendetta against Lucien (even Tamlin, despite everything wouldn't have cursed his old friend).
As he was lost in thought, Eris arrived and beside him trotted one of the hounds, Apus, happily wagging his tail. Eris froze upon catching sight of Lucien. His mate had had the greater hand in raising Lucien, always by the younger boy’s side, everyday for 20 years. Azriel had been there when he could, but it was hard to get away so often without drawing too much suspicion from those he worked with in the Night Court.
“Is that…” Eris trailed off. He cautiously stepped closer, shakily reaching a hand out towards Lucien, but afraid to touch him, as if afraid the young boy would disappear.
“It appears so,” Azriel answered, “He doesn’t seem to have any memory of being older than, what I would guess to be about, 8 years old. He’s still in that mode of calling us ‘Dad’ and ‘Papa.’”
Eris nodded, sinking to the floor by Azriel’s feet to get an even closer look at Lucien. He must have noticed the changes that Azriel had. Gone was the scar that covered the greater majority of Lucien’s face along with the mechanical eye that Nuan had created.
“Do you have any idea why this might have happened?” Eris asked, now reaching out and running his fingers though the ends of Lucien’s long hair.
“Nothing so far. I sent the shadows out across the country to see if they could find anything, but nothing yet.”
Lucien wasn’t sleeping deeply, as evident by the fact that Eris’ careful touches woke him.
“Daddy!” He screeched, launching himself off of Azriel, into Eris’ arms.
Eris quickly fell into a mask, hiding all the concern and worry he had, as to not scare Lucien anymore than the young boy already might have been. (But judging by the demeanor of their son when Azriel had first arrived, he figured that Lucien hadn’t actually been that scared).
“Well hello to you too Little Kit, have you been behaving?”
“Always, I made that silly bat man get you to come find me Dad.” Both Azriel and Eris had to hide their laughter at Lucien’s description of Rhysand.
“Did you now? Well you must have been very convincing since I was able to come and see you so quickly. And look who I brought.”
Lucien then caught sight of his favorite of all Eris’ hounds. Apus had just been a little puppy when Lucien was a toddler and the two were practically best friends. Despite Apus missing a leg, he’d always been best at keeping up with and watching out for Lucien when he was outside of their cabin in Autumn. Apus always ensured that Lucien stayed well within the borders of Eris’ wards whenever Eris could keep an eye on him.
Lucien was bouncing with excitement and wiggled free so that he could hug Apus next.
“Lucien dear,” Azriel started, “can you stay here with Apus for a little while while Daddy and I go talk with those people you met earlier?”
Lucien nodded accompanied with one of the biggest grins Azriel had seen from the boy in some time. “I’ll be good!” And with that he went back to playing with the hound.
Azriel and Eris took that as their cue to leave. Neither spoke and they traveled down the hall toward Rhysand and Feyre’s office, rather just intertwining their fingers and silently praying to the Mother that this went well. Of course one day they were going to tell Azriel’s family about the mating bond, but they figured that would be once Eris was High Lord and if all went terrible at least they would have one safe corner of the world to escape to.
The door was still wide open from when Azriel had left with Lucien less than an hour before. The silent conversation happening between the people in the room ceased as Azriel entered, hand-in-hand with Eris.
Here we go .
---------------
Eris had been nervous for this day for centuries. It was terrifying sharing this little piece of his heart that he’d fought to protect for just as long. But all in all it ended better than he’d expected. Rhysand had, surprisingly, been the most understanding, comprehending best all the reasons why Eris and Azriel had kept their relationship secret for so long. Along with the fact that since it had formed during the secret alliance made between Autumn and Night back while Rhion was still High Lord and it has done no harm since, it was only imperative that Rhysand knew if it became relevant… like today.
Cassian had started out angry, still distrusting of Eris, but he trusted Az and could tolerate Eris’ presence if he truly made his brother happy.
Mor’s reaction was still yet to be determined as she’d listened, then left the room without saying a word. Eris figured she would need time. That had been the worst day of her life and his face was associated with it even if he hadn’t laid a finger on her.
Feyre knew him the least, however what she did know wasn’t his best side. He’d chased her and Lucien though the Winter Court at Beron’s demand, provoking so many others at the High Lord’s meeting, and just generally being a bit of an asshole. Hearing this news was conflicting for her, Eris could see it all written on her face, she wanted to associate Eris with all she’d seen, but also figured that if Azriel trusted him and in turn Lucien, then maybe he wasn’t all terrible.
Amren didn’t care.
She only wished to examine Lucien to see just what might have happened to him.
And so Lucien was brought back into the room, sat on the floor in front of Amren, with a hound resting on his lap, as the tiny female examined him. Even now with her limited powers, she was more attuned to magic than most, yet she couldn’t tolerate the source of this change.
Which led Eris to his next source of help… Helion.
Eris was never kind to Helion, he didn’t like the Day Court male for many reasons, but he was willing to push all that aside so that he could help Lucien.
He knew that it wouldn’t be a quick trip, but he hadn’t thought that convincing Helion to help was going to take nearly all day. The two had fought back and forth for hours until finally Helion conceded (Eris had nearly reached the point of begging, he’d do anything for Lucien).
Together, the two returned to the Night Court and were greeted by a sight Eris hadn’t seen in years.
Azriel was play fight Lucien (and clearly letting the young boy win) eventually falling to his back playing dead. Lucien then ran to ‘revive’ him, claiming to use Dawn Court superpowers (and a bit of help from Apus) until eventually Azriel was ‘alive’ again, snatching Lucien into a hug. Thus leading to the most wonderful childlike laughter that Eris has so greatly missed.
He could feel Helion watching him, trying to read the expression that had taken over his face at the pure joy of seeing his son so happy. A small part of him already wished that they didn’t have to reverse the effects of this curse. He wanted a chance to raise Lucien again, so that he and Azriel could have the family they’ve always dreamed of.
Even without projecting such thought down the mating bond, once he met Azriel’s eyes he could see the promise there. Soon . Soon they could have that life. Once Beron was gone, once Autumn started to heal they could expand their little family just as they’ve always dreamed.
For now it was time to help Lucien.
---------------
Never in a million years had Helion expected to have the eldest son of Beron’s brood come to him practically begging for help. Eris had always been prideful and Helion knew some part of the boy’s soul must have died being forced into this situation. So he went along with it.
Was he surprised to arrive and see the Shadowsinger wrestling in the yard with the youngest (and now even younger) Vanserra? Was he surprised to see the look of pure love and adoration grace Eris’ face? Was he surprised to witness the Shadowsinger so casually hoist the youngest Vanserra on his shoulder and cross the yard to plant a sweet kiss on the eldest Vanserra’s lips.
Yes.
Everything today seemed as if it were going to shock him.
So when the four of them entered the youngest Vanserra’s room at Feyre and Rhysand’s estate, he figured that it wasn’t possible for anything else to surprise him today.
He should have known that such a thought was too big of a risk.
The little Lucien refused to sit on his own, wanting both Azriel and Eris close to him while Helion conducted his examination. At first nothing seemed out of the ordinary, everything with Lucien’s magic pathways were clear, no sign of any blockage until he found one tiny kernel tucked away behind powerful fire magics.
Upon closer examination he could see that it was a power suppressant… a very old power suppressant. Spells such as these weren’t supposed to be kept for longer than 50 years at the very most, but by the craftsmanship of this one, it seemed to have originated back when the boy was just a baby.
When spells got old and started to deteriorate, sometimes they might have unexpected outcomes… such as this.
He shared his findings with the males in the room.
“Can you fix it?” Eris asked.
“The only way will be to destroy the suppressant. He’ll have access to whatever is behind that lock and it should reverse any effects from the malfunctioning spell,” he explained. Helion didn’t miss the look of concern shared between Azriel and Eris.
“Do it,” Azriel said, tucking Lucien closer into his hold.
So Helion began.
As old as the spell was, he’d expected it to shatter immediately, but surprisingly it took him a handful of minutes to break it. The original caster must have been well studied in order to delay Helion’s advanced spellcraft.
The moment the spell broke little Lucien fell asleep. Eris pressed a gentle kiss to the boy’s head as Azriel whispered, rest well Little Kit .
It was in that moment that time seemed to have stopped.
Helion knew why that spell was in place. Why he was the one called in to assist.
Lucien was his son.
The spell blocked off what should have been well developed Day Court magic. Instead it was hidden away like a shameful secret so that the Autumn magic could reign supreme.
Without thinking he was pulling Eris away and locking his hands tightly around the shorter male’s throat. He was pissed. He wanted blood. All these years, all these years Eris must have known that Lucien was his. He wanted to watch the life drain from Eris eyes as he took out his anguish on losing all this time with his boy.
Helion had lost control of himself, and he didn’t care.
Not until he felt the Shadowsinger’s precious dagger pressed dangerously against his ribs accompanied by “You would be wise to keep your hands off of my mate.”
Knowing the Shadowsinger’s reputation, Helion released Eris. The ringing in his ears began to die down and he could feel the wetness that had begun dripping down his face.
Oh, he was crying.
Crying from all the time he lost.
The years that Lucien could have been his and raised in a home filled with love. Years that should have been him and Aluriea raising their son. All those years stripped away because of one stupid spell.
He silently sobbed in between the two mates. His heart ached for all the time lost.
Finally, Helion spoke, “Tell me that he was treated well.”
Eris met his eyes, practically staring into his soul. “He was as well loved as he could possibly be. Probably one of the happiest kids around.”
That only made Helion want to cry harder. He was a fool. An absolute fool. He’d witnessed how tenderly Lucien was treated by Azriel and Eris, he should have known that his son had been loved. That he’d known more than just Beron’s cruelty.
Eventually, when he’d gained control of himself again, he was able to speak. “The spell’s damage will revert by tomorrow. He’ll have no memory of this day and the events that have followed.”
“Thank you Helion,” Azriel said.
Helion nodded, he stepped out from between Azriel and Eris and began walking towards the door. As he reached for the handle, a thought came to mind. Glancing over his shoulder he spoke, “Promise me something Eris. When you became High Lord, tell Lucien the truth. Please let me get to know my boy.”
“If that is what Lucien wishes for, then I will make sure to send him your way.”
Helion nodded to himself and was gone.