Avallac'h lay side by side with Ciri on the grass. He continued. "I wasn't just a mentor to you, I felt like you were the daughter with Lara I was supposed to have. I felt that I had a duty to teach and protect you."
"I already have Geralt, I don't need another father figure," Ciri said.
"I know. But even then, you were different from the she elves I slept with, I never thought of you in a sexual manner. Then you came to me and we made Civril... I thought finally I got what I wanted and that was to have a child of Lara's and my bloodlines.
"I wanted to give Civril properly married parents and I wanted to give you the status of my wife. But even then I wasn't acting out of love. And then you left me...That's when I realise I was hurting you by not giving you the love you deserved.
"I never thought I'd fall in love again after Lara. Losing you made me realise that I was too proud, too stupid to admit what I really felt for you. I love you, Zireael. And if Lara was alive today, I'd still choose you," Avallac'h said.
"You sure about that?" Ciri asked, doubtful.
"I know now that Cregennan was her destiny. I don't regret anything that happened which brought you into my life," Avallac'h said, pulling her close to him. "Though I regret my own stupidity in not seeing earlier that my happiness lay with you."
"You? An Aen Saevherne yet stupid? I find that hard to believe," Ciri said, laughing. Then her tone turned serious. "Do you really feel happy with me?"
"Yes, you make me happy. So... does this mean that we are lovers now?" Avallac'h asked, staring intently into her eyes. They maintained eye contact for a long time before Ciri replied.
"I don't know, you're the Knowing One, you tell me," she answered truthfully.
Avallac'h turned pensive. "Look, the sky is dark now and the stars are coming out. Geralt and Yennefer are probably wondering what happened to us," he said. "But I want to stay here for a while and gaze at the stars with you.
"There was a world we went to, where the sky was also full of stars. And we were lying in the grass just like this, and I told you tales of elven legends which you said were boring. Do you remember?" Avallac'h asked.
"I remember. I think I fell in love with you even then," Ciri said.
"What did I do to deserve your love?" Avallac'h said, his voice thick with emotion. He hugged her. "Thank you. For loving me, for being patient with me... and for giving me Civril of course."
Ciri smiled. "You haven't answered the question."
"What question?" Avallac'h asked.
"Are we lovers now?" She asked.
He laughed. "Yes, we're definitely lovers now. And you haven't answered my question."
"Which one?" Ciri said.
"Will you marry me?" Avallac'h said.
"Yes, of course. Let's get married," Ciri answered. "When's the wedding?"
"As soon as possible," Avallac'h said. "Let's make love right here, under the stars."
...
Geralt went searching for Ciri. Unfortunately, the lovers neither saw nor heard him approach. Geralt saw movement in the tall grass and heard strange sounds amid the rustling. It was Avallac'h's voice moaning... followed by Ciri's. His eyes widened.
He returned to Yennefer. "Well?" She asked.
"How's Civril?" Geralt said.
"Sleeping soundly," Yennefer said.
"Come, let's go to our room," Geralt said. He put on his most charming smile and led Yennefer by the hand.
...
Ciri and Avallac'h awoke around the same time. Sunlight was shining down uncomfortably brightly on them. They were completely naked and scrambled to get their clothes.
"Civril!" They exclaimed simultaneously.
...
They entered the house where Yennefer was feeding breakfast to Civril. Civril was excited to see his parents and spread his arms, reaching for them.
"I'm so sorry for spending all night outdoors. We were supposed to return immediately afterwards," Ciri said guiltily. "I hope Civril didn't trouble you too much."
Civril started jumping and ignored Yennefer's attempts to feed him. "Oh, I think you should hold him now and calm him down," Yennefer said.
Ciri scooped Civril up into her arms and Avallac'h hugged both her and the baby. Civril laughed in delight.
She gave Civril back to Yennefer. "Okay, Civril can continue eating breakfast now. Seems he's calmed down," Ciri said.
"You both smell of... you both smell terrible," Yennefer said, wrinkling her nose. Avallac'h's pale cheeks colored with embarrassment. "Meet us again after taking a bath?"
Ciri pulled on Avallac'h's hand. "Alright, we'll be back soon," she said, before they teleported in a flash of light.
...
"Ahem," Geralt said, clearing his throat.
"I would like to ask for your blessings and forgiveness... and for Cirilla's hand in marriage," Avallac'h said. Ciri squeezed Avallac'h's hand, sharing a look.
"She already said yes and I want my Ciri to be happy. So you may marry her with our blessings," Geralt said, uncrossing his arms. Avallac'h was caught off guard when Geralt gave him a hug.
"I won't hurt her again, I promise," Avallac'h said.
"You make sure that never happens again," Geralt said.
Yennefer hugged Ciri. "You should've come to us earlier, you shouldn't have gone through your pregnancy all alone," Yennefer said. "Our house is always open to you. You know how Geralt loves it when you come to visit."
"Okay," Ciri said, sniffing.
"There, there. Now's not the time for tears, you should be happy," Yennefer said.
"You're crying too," Ciri said.
They laughed. "Tears of joy. Come now, let's get ready the wedding preparations. My daughter is getting married," Yennefer said, wiping away her tears. Her head was already filled with plans.
...
Ciri wore Yennefer's wedding dress, the white one with violet ribbons. She carried a bouquet of white roses.
"I look strange, don't I?" Ciri said, critical of herself. "I'm not such a fan of dresses."
"Nonsense, you look beautiful," Avallac'h said, carrying Civril on his arms. "Civril thinks so too."
"You don't want me to carry him?" Ciri asked, opening her arms.
"No, no. I'll carry him," Geralt said. "Come to grandpa."
"Ciri, you just hold the flowers like so. Avallac'h, offer her your arm," Yennefer instructed.
Avallac'h shared a look with Ciri and did as he was told. Ciri took his arm. They smiled at each other, wide, crazy grins on their faces, unable to suppress their happiness.
"Perfect," Yennefer cooed. "In ten minutes I want to see all of you in the chapel! We don't want to keep the guests waiting."
THE END
