The Child's Keeper: A Mandalorian FanFiction

Between Seasons, Episode 4, Part 2: The Return

It was as if the moment Lys stepped inside, the whole world stood still. The chilly air broke into the warm room, causing a slight shiver to run down her spine. Din watched on the sidelines as the father and daughter locked eyes, and the old man rose from his seat, astonished to see her.

"Lysa?" He spoke, his voice trembling slightly as he saw his daughter, now grown and matured into a young woman.

Lys could barely speak. She blinked a few times, shocked to genuinely see her father in the same room as her. Lys stumbled forward, taking a few steps over to him before collapsing to her knees, her face prostrated on the ground, unable to look her father in the eyes.

"Baba," she said, using the name she had called him as a girl. "Baba, I am so sorry."

"My child, my daughter, do not bow before me, come, come, stand so I may look on your face," he spoke, reaching down and taking her arm, helping her back to her feet.

Light tears were already forming in her eyes as she stood, allowing him to look at her. He walked around her, taking her in before coming back to face her and outstretching his arms.

"Let me hold you, my child. I have missed you for too long," he spoke.

Lys allowed herself to be enveloped in his arms, him placing a light kiss on her forehead, holding her tightly against his chest. He didn't want to let go.

"It has been long, Lysa. Too long," he spoke, finally breaking from their hug. He looked over to where Din was and motioned to a chair in the room. "Sit, my friend. Rest from your travels. You have returned my daughter to me," he then turned to Lys. "And you, my child, sit with me as you did as a girl, so I may have you close, and you may talk to me."

Lys followed him back to his armchair, where he sat, and she sat on her knees, draped over the arm of his chair, her head resting on it as she looked up at him. She had done that every day as a child, at first in her mother's arms, and soon on her own, wanting nothing more than to be close to her father.

Din moved and took a seat in the corner of the room, choosing to remain on alert. He had many questions about the coven, but he kept his mouth shut, not wanting to break the tender moment of reunion.

"Tell me, my little Lysa, where have you been all these years?" Lawrence asked.

"I have been everywhere, Baba, all across the galaxy," Lys said, not wanting to bring up her slavery or the pain and torture she had endured.

"Why did you not come to see me?"

"I couldn't, Baba, I was never allowed to. It's only now that I am free that I can come to you," she said, allowing her secret to slip.

"Free? Were you not free?" He asked, his eyes narrowing at his daughter.

Lys almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of his question, but she contained herself, deciding it was best that she come clean, "Yes, Baba, I was a slave. But I am free now, and that is what matters."

"What has happened to your speech?" Lawrence asked.

"Please do not ask me that. It is painful enough to have to tell you of my slavery," Lys shook her head, but she knew, by the look on her father's face, that he would not take no for an answer. "A bad man cut part of my tongue from me a few years ago. But he is dead now, thanks to the Mandalorian," she looked over to see Din watching them.

"Baba, I have to ask you," Lys said quietly, turning back. "Why did you not come looking for me all of these years?"

Lawrence shook his head, ashamed, "If I had known you were in trouble I would have, but your letter had told me to never come looking for you. I had to honor that wish, even if it was the most painful wish a father could ever grant."