Little Legs In A Big Castle Part 1

It had been a long night of Duncan waking up to the little girl crying and screaming from her nightmares. Each time it happened he would wrap his arms around her and sing her lullabies until she drifted off again. Eventually they did manage to get a few hours of sleep in the early morning hours.
Duncan groggily awoke to the sun shining on his face through the bedroom window. He started to get up when he felt something small and warm move beside him. Puzzled he pulled the covers back to find a little girl sleeping with her head against his chest. It took a moment for his sleepy mind to remember what had happened the evening before, but then the tragic scene unfolded in his mind. Moving carefully to not wake the sleeping child he sat at the edge of the bed and rubbed his tired eyes.
"Mama? Papa?" called a voice behind him.
"There not here lass," Duncan said standing and turning to face the girl. She had a sleepy confused look under her blonde hair. She stared at him and her pale blue eyes looked right into his blue eyes.
"Soo what's your name?" He finally asked.
"Jess," She stammered.
"Well Jess, would you like some breakfast?" Duncan asked. Jess nodded and the two of them made their way to the kitchen where Duncan made bacon and eggs. They sat down and Duncan hungrily started chowing down on the food then stopped when he saw Jess just sitting there looking at her feet.
"What's the matter lass aren't you hungry?" He asked.
"I'm not hungry." She said softly.
"You have to eat something lass."
"I'm not hungry." She said again. Duncan sighed and knowing that she probably would not eat anything for a couple of day decided not to press the matter.
"Jess, do you have any other family that could look after you?" Duncan asked.
"No," she said looking at him with sad eyes. Duncan pondered what he should do about Jess' predicament and who would be able to look after such a young girl. Xephos and Honeydew would not know what to do. Lomadia was too busy taking care of her owls. Sips and Sjin would just work the kid all the time. Davechaos and Panda were always off on an adventure somewhere. Duncan continued down the line, but could not think of anyone who had the time or want, to take care of a child. He was so deep in thought that he did not hear Jess walk up beside him.
"Would you look after me?" She asked. Duncan looked at her in shock. He had never even thought of the possibility of her staying with him.
"I don'…" he stated to say then stopped when saw the rejected and teary look in her eyes. Duncan thought about how everyone else had someone, but him and how lonely he felt most days living in his castle all by himself. He looked back at her and stretched out his hands.
"Come here lass, you can stay with me," he said and was rewarded with her jumping into his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck.