The Elder Blood was a powerful thing. Ciri's mother was strong with it, so was Ciri, and so was her older sister. Born of Pavetta and Emhyr two years before their marriage and four years before the birth of Ciri. She was a well-kept secret. Her name was Marian, and unlike her sister, who was separated from their father at a young age, Marian grew up in Nilfgaard. She was trained by the best fighters the south had ever seen. And at a very young age, she was one of the most formidable warriors in Nilfgaard.
Marian wasn't as strong as her sister when it came to the Elder Blood's powers, but she was still gifted with them. Something Emhyr desperately tried to hide. That became difficult when at the age of 15, Marian ran away. She fled to find her little sister, who she had dreamt of being in trouble. Marian had a knack for learning things she shouldn't know in dreams.
At first Marian was uncertain where to look for her long lost sister Cirilla, but she quickly gathered enough information and discovered where Ciri was... Kaer Morhen.
The day she arrived she was found first by Lambert.
When he saw her he drew his sword, "Who are you and what are you doing here?" He demanded with a snarl. The scar on his lip rolling back in wariness.
"I'm looking for my sister," Marian asked.
Lambert narrowed his eyes further, "You didn't answer my first question... who are you?"
Marian looked at him in contemplation. She was uncertain of his abilities, and therefore she would prefer not to engage in combat. She decided to tell him the truth, "My name is Marian var Emreis, of Nilfgaard." Lambert lowered his sword in shock at her words. "I've come for my sister, Cirilla."
Lambert nodded slightly and gestured for her to follow him. He led her into the castle and to the training grounds where Geralt was instructing Ciri.
"Again Ciri, you can't-" Geralt suddenly stopped his instruction when he smelted something distinctly not witcher. He whirled around, pushing Ciri behind him slightly, and stared at the young woman in front of him. She had black hair and piercing green-blue eyes, the same colour as Ciri's.
Before Geralt was able to question why she was there, Ciri cried, "Marian!" And ran out from behind him to run towards the older girl.
Ciri jumped upon her and hugged her like her life depended on it. Marian held her little sister closely before placing her back on the ground. She looked Ciri over frantically, "You're alright?" She asked, embracing Ciri again when she nodded. "Thank the gods," Marian muttered under her breath.
Behind Ciri, Marian saw Geralt draw his sword. When the sisters parted again, Marian stepped in front of Ciri and drew her own sword.
"Who the hell are you?" Geralt asked, taking a step forwards.
Marian also stepped forwards, "I could ask you the same question."
Ciri then stepped in, "Stop both of you!" She shouted. She moved between the two. "Marian, this is Geralt. He's been helping me. Saved my life a few times too." At this, Marian's face relaxed slightly, Geralt was still staring tensely. "Geralt, this is Marian, my older sister."
Geralt lowered his sword but was still looking at her cautiously. "Why are you here?"
"I had a terrible dream, of Ciri... I had to be sure she was okay," Marian said.
Geralt nodded, "What did this dream entail exactly?"
"The Wild Hunt mostly, but also my father."
"Father?" Ciri asked, "He doesn't want me to return does he?"
Marian chuckled slightly, "Of course he does, but I'm not here to bring you to him. I just want to keep you safe."
"And what does the Emperor of Nilfgaard think of the heir to his empire running off on her own?" Geralt asked.
"Two things," Marian started, "One, I don't really care what he thinks about it. And two, I'm not the heir to anything."
Geralt raised an eyebrow, "And how's that? You are his eldest child are you not?"
"I am, but I was born out of wedlock, unless you've forgotten. We have met before, I believe. I was two years old."
Geralt looked at her, "I remember. I just figured-"
"It doesn't really matter anyhow. I'm a fighter, not a strategist," Marian said.
There was a moment of silence, "Can you stay?" Ciri asked Marian. Her face faltered, and Ciri added, "Just for a little while?"
Marian looked at her with uncertainty, something Geralt picked up on. "What's the rush? Gotta report back to the Emperor?" He asked with disdain.
Marian laughed slightly, "Actually, I'm supposed to be getting married."
Ciri and Geralt both looked at her with identical expressions of disgust. "How old are you?" Geralt asked.
"I'm fifteen."
"Isn't that a little..."
"Young?" Marian finished. "Only a little."
"I take it you don't want to get married?" Geralt asked.
"Actually..."
"You do want to? I assumed your father would pick your future husband."
"He did, but... well he's a friend. We grew up together, I care for him."
"Who is he?" Ciri asked.
"Morvan Voorhis." Ciri and Geralt looked at each other with confusion, neither of them knew who that was. "He's an officer in the Nilfgaarian army. He's also the scion of one of the most powerful families in the empire. If Ciri doesn't take the throne after our father, then Morvran becomes one of the best candidates. And if he marries me, then his claim is all the stronger."
"This plan all seems to hinge on whether or not Ciri is going to come back," Geralt commented.
Marian nodded, "My father wanted him to marry Ciri. He brought Morvran in for a private audience to discuss the terms, and he left engaged to me instead."
"So he cares for you back?" Ciri asked with a smile.
"I think so, but it's hard to tell with him sometimes..." Marian smiled, but then frowned. "I wonder if the wedding is still on actually... I've been gone for months."
"Maybe you should head back now... Ciri's in good hands, I promise." Marian and Geralt stared at each other with mutual respect for a brief moment before Marian turned to Ciri.
"I love you little sister, more than anything, more than life." Marian and Ciri hugged tightly again. "I'll be back, we'll see each other again soon."
Marian waved her hands in a circular motion, and a portal appeared behind her.
"You're a sorcerer?" Geralt asked.
She smiled mysteriously, "No." She stepped backwards and disappeared.
Little did Geralt know, but that was to be far from the last dealing he had with Marian var Emreis.
Marian teleported directly into her father's office, where to her surprise was Morvran and other secret service members, apparently, they had been looking for her. She stumbled through the portal, and Morvran caught her.
"Marian!" He cried.
She regained her balance and smiled at Morvran, his arms still securely around her. She looked around the room and locked eyes with her father.
"Everyone out. Now. It seems the matter has been... concluded," Emhyr spoke firmly.
Morvran took her hand and quickly kissed it before taking his leave, along with the others in the room. Just Emhyr and his daughter were left behind.
"Where have you been!" He demanded.
"I found Ciri," Marian told him. Suddenly his face was wiping clean of expression, he was shocked into silence. "I had a terrible dream that she was in danger, I had to find her."
"And... is she safe now?" He asked.
Marian nodded, "She's fine, she's happy."
Emhyr paced in front of his desk, "Morvran was starting to think you had died. The wedding was almost called off... that would have been... disgraceful."
Marian was silent for a moment, thinking up an apology that her father would accept. "I'm sorry, I should have told someone where I was going... and I shouldn't have gone alone."
"No. You shouldn't have." Emhyr turned to face his daughter, "You're lucky that boy loves you, or else I would have tossed you out of the castle by now." He glared at Marian, and she glared back. "Go, the wedding will still take place in five days time. I've arranged for a dress to be made, it must be fitted."
"Yes father," Marian said with a bow of her head. He waved his hand at her and she left. She exited, to find Morvran pacing outside in the courtyard.
He turned to face her, "Marian," He spoke, his voice had become deeper, and he had grown taller since the last time she had seen him.
"Morvran... I'm so sorry."
He shook his head, "I was-" He stopped, and Marian looked at him with swelling emotions. This was the most emotional she had ever seen him. "I was so worried about you." He took a few large steps forwards and embraced her. After a moment he pulled back, "I'm sorry, that was awfully... forward of me."
Marian shook her head, "I've missed you."
Morvran looked at her and smiled faintly, "And I you..." He paused, "Come dine with me tonight."
"Alone?" She asked, knowing that it was against the rules.
"No, your ladies in waiting will be there to supervise, of course."
Marian smiled and nodded, "I would love to."
"Good." He grinned at her, "I will see you tonight then."
He bowed, and she curtsied, and they went their separate ways. Marian went to find the seamstress that her father had spoken of when she heard voices calling her.
"Your Highness! Your Highness Marian var Emreis!" Marian turned around and saw that her ladies in waiting had found her.
She smiled sheepishly as they questioned her mercilessly about her whereabouts as they led her to her dress fitting.
Marian entered, and the older woman told her to disrobe to her undergarments and put on a blindfold. When Marian asked the woman why she replied: "I want it to be a surprise."
Marian did as she was told and was soon standing in her undergarments with a blindfold on. Marian could practically hear the old woman staring at her. "Are those the best knickers you've got? You don't have something more interesting for your wedding night?"
Marian blushed slightly, "I... uh... no, I don't."
"That's alright dearie, nothing to be ashamed about. I'll make something pretty for you. What's your man's favourite colour?"
"Gold I think."
"Perfect, it'll even match the dress."
Marian then spent the next hour or two attempting to manoeuvre herself into the seemingly complex dress while blindfolded. After she managed that, the seamstress spoke again. "Alright dearie, you can remove the blindfold now."
Marian reached up and untied the knot around the back of her head. When she looked in the mirror she had to hold back a gasp. The dress wasn't covered in gaudy decor like she had feared. It was white mostly, with shimmering gold lace overlaid on the white fabric. It hugged her upper body and flowed down from her waist. It also had intricate crossing straps that crisscrossed over her shoulders and back, twisting down her arms and ending in bows at her wrists.
"It's beautiful," Marian turned to the seamstress, "Thank you."
She chuckled, "Do not thank me yet dearie. His Majesty Emhry var Emreis has not yet seen the garment. I am supposed to fetch him so he can approve."
Marian nodded as the woman left the room. Marian was already certain what her father was going to say, that it was too revealing. I had a low cut back, and it accentuated her breasts very nicely. Her father often told her not to wear breeches, let alone something like this.
The door opened, and Emhry entered the room. Marian turned to face him, the train of the dress wrapping around her slightly.
Emhyr was frozen in place at first, his thoughts were swarming. She looked so much like her mother...
"This is a fine garment, well done," Emhyr told the seamstress, who curtsied deeply to him. He then left, much to Marian's surprise.
"Now that that's over with... Do you like it, your Highness?" She asked.
"Yes, it's perfect."
The seamstress smiled, "I'm sure your man will think so too..."