Lance looked up at Lord Joseph through tear-stained eyes. "I...I am sorry, M'lord," he began, fogetting he was allowed to call his husband by his first name when they were alone. "I do not mean to be such a burden. It's just...I...I know I was trained for this, but everything is just so overwhelming and...and...please do not be upset with me, but I miss my parents and my home."

"But you will be seeing them both in two days," Joseph replied, letting the name slip for now. "Or do you miss them so much that you can not wait those two days?"

"I do miss them, but I can wait the two days," Lance replied. "My father would be very angry if I returned home the day after I was wed...he would think I had done something to displease you."

"Would he think you did something to displease me if I were to go with you?" Joseph asked quietly.

"You...you would take me there...today?" Lance asked, his face hopeful.

"If you would allow me to be your escort," Joseph answered, standing and bowing playfully. "I would love to meet the people who brought such a handsome gentleman into this world."

Lance's hands flew to his mouth as the realization that he would be able to look into his precious mother's face again began to sink in. "Oh, thank you, M'lord," Lance cried, impulsively hugging the elder lord. "You have no idea how much it means to me to be able to see my mother and father again. I had been instructed that once we were married, I would never see them again."

Returning the hug, Lord Joseph explained that it was up to the head of the family if his husbands or wives would be the one to decide weather or not they would be permitted to see their families again. "I just want the members of my family to be as happy as they possibly can be." Pulling out of the hug, Lord Joseph stood and helped Lance to stand as well. "Go get whatever it is you think we will need for the trip. Meet me out front when you are ready."

"I am fine...I'm ready now," Lance said excitedly. Lord Joseph laughed at his young husband's excitement as his affection for him grew even more.

"Very well." Taking Lances' hand in his, Lord Joseph led him to the courtyard and over to the stables. "Take your pick of steads," he offered once they walked into the stables where only the finest horses in the land were kept.

Looking down the stable at the fine animals, Lance's eyes immediately focused on the sleek black horse at the end of the row. The young lord shook his head...it can't be, he thought. "Midnight?" Lance called softly. The horse picked up her head and whinnyed at her master's voice. Running up to the stall, Lance hugged his horse, tears flowing from his eyes. "It is you," he whispered. Turning to Lord Joseph, Lance looked up at him. "My...my horse...you...but how?"

Smiling, Lord Joseph replied simply, "Part of your dowlry." Walking over to where his horse stood waiting for him, Joseph rubbed the horses' head and turned to the stable servant. "Have these two horses saddled at once."

"Right away, M'lord," he replied as he went to work preparing the two animals for the journey. While they waited, Lord Joseph took Lance on a small tour of the rest of the stables and the garden.

"On nice days, such as today," Lord Joseph said. "I like to take a book and sit underneath one of the trees. Or hide behind the bushes with Josh, or Justin, or maybe yourself now." Looking down at Lance, Joseph smiled playfully as his young lord began blushing.

"That sounds like fun" Lance replied. Maybe Lord Joseph was right, the young blond thought. Maybe he would learn to do nicely in Joseph's family.

"If there were time," Lord Joseph whispered, pulling him close. "I'd show you what outside fun means." Dropping a light kiss upon Lances' lips, he felt his husband shiver as a cool morning wind wipped past them.

"It's getting a bit nippy," Lance remarked, as he rubbed his arms.

"You have time to go get a coat if you'd like," Joseph offered. "I'll wait for you if the horses are saddled before you return."

"I'm used to the wind...I'll be fine," Lance replied, anxious to start their journey.

Nodding, Joseph held a hand towards the stables. "They should be ready to go by now."

Lance smiled and took Joseph's hand as they made their way back to the stables. True to Joseph's word, the horses were ready. Lord Joseph smiled as he watched Lance's gentle manner with Midnight. Motioning for the stable hand, Lord Joseph introduced the newest member of his family.

"Jason, this is Lance. You are to do as he says as well; just as you do with Josh, Justin, and myself. Lance, this is Jason, one of the best stable hands I've seen."

Lance smiled shyly at the brown-haired hand. "Hello," he whispered, shaking Jason's hand.

"Hello M'lord," the stable hand replied, equally as shy as Lance.

"Um...thank you for taking care of Midnight," Lance added. "I hope she has been good for you."

"A perfect angel M'lord," Jason answered. "She never once gave me any trouble yesterday."

"Good girl," Lance praised as he gently patted Midnight. Lord Joseph nodded to Jason to indicate they were ready to begin their journey.

"We will be back before sunset Jason. And Lord Christopher said he would visit sometime today or tomorrow. If we are not back if he arrives today, please see that he is shown to his usual chambers and made as comfortable as possible until we return."

"As you wish, M'lord," Jason replied, holding the stable doors open as Lord Joseph and Lance left on their way.

After about an hour and a half, they came to the small village where Lance was raised. The people bowed when the two passed in the street in recognition of their royal titles. Lance could not believe the way he was being treated. People he had known all his life who had called him by his first or middle name now only addressed him as "M'lord".

Joseph wasn't at all phased by the people bowing; he was used to it. Slowing his horse slightly, he let Lance take the lead, as he was unfamilar with the layout of the small village.

Presently they came to Lance's farm. The sound of the dogs' frantic barking sent Lance's father out from the barn to see what was wrong. Upon the sight of his youngest son and his new husband he smiled broadly. Walking slowly up to Lance, his smile got brighter. "My son," he whispered. "My son," His heart full, he looked from Lance to Joseph. "M'lord," he greeted Joseph as he bowed in front of him and Lance. "Permission to hold my son, M'lord"

Smiling as some memories of his own father came to mind, Joseph simply nodded. "You need not bow, or ask permission to hold your son. He is yours before mine."

"Thank you, M'lord," replied Lance's father as he hugged his son. Stepping back, he smiled approvingly at Lance. "You look as a young lord should look," he added. Looking back at Joseph curiously, he shook his head. "I mean no disrespect, M'lord...my heart is overjoyed to see my son again, but we had been told that once he left yesterday, we would never see him again. He did nothing to displease you, did he?"

Shaking his head, Joseph replied, "It is up to head of the family weather or not one may be allowed to see his parents again. And Lance did everything correctly." When Lance turned to look at Joseph, he only smiled and continued. "As sort of a reward, your son will be allowed to visit his parents whenever he wishes, providing there are no other pending plans that would be interferred with."

"Oh, M'lord...thank you...thank you," Lance's father, James Sr. replied. "My wife has weeped ever since your servants came to take Lance yesterday. Rebecca," James, Sr. called as he ran into the house. "Rebecca come quickly...there is a surprise for us."

Dismounting his stead, Joseph walked up behind Lance and dropped a kiss upon his neck before James Sr. and Rebecca returned. "I take it your father is pleased with the offer?" he teased.

Yes...he is," Lance replied quietly. Hearing a sharp gasp, both Lance and Joesph turned to see Lance's mother, a beautiful blond-haired woman, make her way into the yard.

She nearly collapsed into her husband's arms upon seeing her youngest son. "La...Lansten?" Rebecca whispered, using her nickname for him. "James, tell me I am not dreaming?"

Giving Lance a light shove on the back, Joseph again smiled as the reunion between mother and son finally took place; even if they were only seperated the day before.

"Mother," Lance whispered, his voice choked with tears as he ran into his mother's arms. Rebecca held him tight as she looked at her husband, then Joseph.

"Than...thank you for allowing me to see my baby again, M'lord," Rebecca replied softly as she continued to hold the sobbing Lance.

Shaking his head, Joseph answered, "It is I who should be thanking you, for accepting the offer my father made so many years ago. And for training your son to be a member of my family. He has already made me so very happy in just the few hours we have been married."

Lance's parents looked at lord Joseph, then at their son. "We are humbly pleased at your news, M'lord," James Sr. replied. "We did our best to raise him and train him in all facets of being a member of the royal family...well, in all facets that we were required to train him."

"You have trained him well. I could not ask for a more perfect husband," Joseph replied. "And all else, he will be taught in due time."

"Please accept our small token of hospitality, M'lord and join us for supper," Lance's father said, stepping aside as Lord Joseph and Lance made their way into the farmhouse. It was small and the furnishings simple, but Lord Joseph could feel the love in the house, and instantly felt at home. Rebecca went into the kitchen and returned with a pitcher of lemonade and their best glassware. "May I offer you a glass of cold lemonade, M'lord?" she asked timidly.

Smiling warmly up at Lances' mother, he nodded and replied, "Please. After a long ride, a cold drink sounds wonderful. Thank you."

Rebecca returned the smile as she poured Lord Joseph a glass of lemonade, then one for Lance and her husband. "If you gentlemen will excuse me, I'll see to supper," she whispered, as she went back into the kitchen.

"I see now where Lance gets his looks from," Lord Joseph said, smiling first at James, then to his husband.

"Yes, M'lord," James replied. "From the day he was born, we knew he would grow up to look like his mother. She has been a wonderful influence on him."

"And I'm sure you have been an equally woderful influence upon your son," Joseph added. Taking a sip of the cold lemonaide, he asked, "You spoke of Lance being your youngest. If I may, where are his brothers and sisters?"

James looked at Lord Joseph, then lowered his head. "We...we had another child...a beautiful baby girl named Nicole, but she passed away a few hours after she was born. For a long time we did not think we would be able to have any more children...and then we found out that Rebecca was pregnant with Lance. We were overjoyed when he was born...he was our pride and joy."

"Was? Why do you use the past tense?" Joseph inquired. "Is he still not your pride and joy?"

"I mean no disrespect, M'lord," James replied quietly. "We love him very much still...but we also know that Lance is not ours anymore. He is a noble now...a member of the royal family. He belongs to you."

Joseph felt like a heal as he lowered his eyes. He had taken their only son from them to a better life, when they had no other children to share their love with.

Sensing Joseph's feelings, James placed a hand on Joseph's shoulder. "Please do not feel bad in any way, M'lord," he replied. "We knew exactly what would be required of us once we agreed to the union many years ago. We knew that we would have to give Lance up...and we are grateful to you for giving him the kind of life we could not."

Smiling slightly, Joseph replied, "I am sorry. I just never had a commoner as a husband before. I was unprepaired for how I would react upon meeting his parents. I have only met the parents of my other husbands, who were both nobles. But, I promise you, he shall have the best of both lives. He will always be your son, as he will always be my husband."

"Thank you, M'lord...we are both so grateful for your generosity," James replied. Both were so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't noticed that Lance had quietly slipped out of the room.

Taking the roast chicken out of the oven, Rebecca looked up when she heard the door open and smiled at her son.

"I guess my prayers were answered," she said. "I got to see my son again."

Lance smiled as he gave his mother another hug. In her arms, he had always felt warm and safe. "Mine were as well," he whispered. "I love you, Mamma. I love you and I wish I could remain in your arms forever."

Rebecca noticed the shakiness in her son's voice and inquired about it. "Has he treated you well? You sound nervous, or scared. Does he hurt you Lance?"

Looking up in alarm, Lance quickly shook his head. "Y...yes, Mamma...he...he has treated me very well."

Rebecca knew by the sound of Lance's voice that he was hiding something. "Lance, for the past 21 years, you have never lied to me. Do not start now. What does he do to hurt you?"

"Honest, Mamma," Lance replied, his voice still a little shaky. "He has done nothing to hurt me...at least not intentionally."

"James Lance," Rebecca tried again. "I do not care if you are a noble, but I will take you over my knee if you do not tell me the truth. The complete truth."

Lance blushed as he lowered his head. There weren't many times his mother called him by his name this way. "I...I...last night I...I did not know that to bed for the first time would be so painful."

Her tone lighening, Rebecca hugged her son close. "I am sorry Lance. We...your father and I...we should have told you. But, we could not." Kissing her sons' forehead as she looked into his eyes, she promised that as time went by, and as his body became used to the feeling, it would hurt less and less.

"I...I hope so," Lance whispered, on the verge of crying. "Oh Mamma it...it hurt so bad...and then this morning..."

"Shh," she soothed. "What if your husband were to walk in and see you crying? What would he think of you then? Stop your tears first, then tell me whatever is bothering you my son."

Calming down, Lance wiped his face. "This...this morning I was introduced to Lord Joseph's other two husbands...and...and..."

"They did not approve of you?" Rebecca ventured. "Simply because of where you come from?"

"It was more than that," Lance replied sadly. "You should have seen the looks on their faces when I walked into the room with M'lord. They hate me, Mamma, especially Justin, his youngest husband. I had wanted so much to make friends with them but...they will never accept me as part of the family. To them, I'm just a little farm boy from the lower lands, somebody beneath them."

"Is that how you see yourself Lance?" his mother asked quietly. "As a 'farm boy from the lower lands'?"

Lance looked at his mother. "Lord Jospeh told me not to pay any attention to what Justin and Joshua said and the way they treated me," he replied. "I guess that everything is just so overwhelming and there is so much I need to learn."

"Everything will calm down in time Lance. Then, maybe they will see that if they do not have your friendship, they are the ones missing out. You have done nothing to make them upset with you, have you?"

"No, Mamma, I have not," Lance replied.

"Then, just as M'lord has said, do not pay attention to them. They will come around in time."

"Yes, Mamma...thank you for your advice," Lance said as James Sr. poked his head in the kitchen door.

Smiling at her son, then looking up to her husband, she shooed Lance out of the kitchen. "Go now, you should be with your husband, not me. Go on now Lance."

Lance kissed his mother on her cheek. "Yes, Mamma," he whispered as he went back into the living room and rejoined Joseph.

Standing when Lance returned to the room, Joseph smiled and held his hand out for him. "I was starting to think you had been promised to someone else before me," he teased.

"I am sorry," Lance whispered, as he and Joseph sat down. "I was just talking to my mother about my new home."

Smiling, Joseph replied, "I was only teasing Lance. You do not have to apologize."

"Oh," Lance replied, a slight blush creeping up his face. Lord Joseph looked at his young husband with affection. He was enchanting, he thought. Presently, the kitchen door opened and Rebecca came in carrying the platter of roast chicken and vegetables, which she set on the table. James followed her with another pitcher of lemonade. Lance and Lord Joseph got up and took their positions at the table. Once James Sr. had blessed the table, they sat down to eat. Lord Joseph praised Rebecca for the delicious meal.

"Never have I had the pleasure of a dinner such as this," Joseph said, looking towards Rebecca. An idea forming starting to form in his mind, Joseph looked up at James Sr. and asked, "James, out of curiousity, what do you do for a living?"

"The farm is my life, M'lord...our lives," James replied. "I raise animals and crops and sell them at the market. Some we keep for food. We do well."

"So you would not leave the farm?" he asked, keeping his idea a secret for now. He did not want to get Lances' hopes up should the idea not come through.

"I could never leave the farm, M'lord," James explained. "It was the legacy left to me by my father and his father before him. Both our children were born here. Rebecca and I were married here. It holds wonderful memories." Nodding his head, Joseph let his idea die. It wouldn't work, not with James' answer.

Pouring each of the men a second glass of lemonade, Rebecca asked if anyone would like anything else.

Noting the time, Joseph turned sadly to his husband. "No thank you Rebecca. We must be heading back soon."

Lance looked from Joseph to his mother, his eyes filling with tears. How he longed for his small room by the lake, where his mother would tuck him in at night and sing to him in her beautiful clear voice until he fell asleep. It had only been a day, but his life here seemed like ages ago.

"I'll go prepare your horses, M'lord," James replied as he went out to the barn.

"Thank you James," Joseph said. Turning to Lance, he saw the sadness that crossed his face. "Lance, we will come back. I promise."

Lance nodded as James came back inside to announce that the horses were ready. Looking at his son, James smiled. "You have made us very proud, my son" he whispered, hugging him lightly. "Continue to remember your training and you will be fine. We are looking forward to seeing you again."

Rebecca tried to remain strong, but a few tears slipped down her cheeks as Lance turned from his father to her, hugging her lightly too. "Never forget where you come from Lance, and always be proud of your background. Noble or not. We both love you so much."

"Y...yes, Mamma," Lance whispered in a choked voice as he clung to her a little tighter. "I love you both, too."

From the doorway, Joseph called for him. "Lance...it's time. Come along now. You'll see your parents again."

"Ye...yes, M'lord," Lance said, wiping away a tear of his own before turning to Joseph. Once they mounted their horses, they waved as they turned for the palace.

Rebecca turned to her husband and broke down in his arms. "Oh James, our baby is gone," she sobbed.

"Shh," he soothed. "You heard what Lord Joseph said. We'll see Lance again." Holding his wife close, they watched as both their son and his husband rode away. They stayed standing outside their home until they were out of sight. "We'll see him again," James whispered as he helped Rebecca into the house, closing the door behind them.