The Witcher: Through the Worlds
Chapter 78: The First Time on the Last Night
Narrator: On their way back to Novigrad from their journey to save the village of Claywitch, Dominik and Ciri both learned a horrible truth. On their way back, they were attacked by Baelen, the mysterious commander of the Wild Hunt, whose identity was finally revealed to them both. Baelen, turned out to be Bella, Dominik's younger sister who he long has believed dead. Bella had been kidnapped by the Wild Hunt, after her powers as a carrier, a descendant of Alexander of Lod unleashed, she was kidnapped, brainwashed, tortured, and turned into the cold commander of the Hunt she was today. After failing to convince her to come back with them, Dominik and Ciri returned to Novigrad, where Dominik confronted the elven sage Avallac'h, whom he believed knew this information and did not tell them. However, thanks to Ciri's intervention, Dominik didn't kill the sage, with the knowledge that they needed the elf for their future fight against Eredin. Dominik was later almost killed by Nilfgaardean assassins, but thankfully was saved by his friend, protector of Queen Adda of Redania, Elise De Le Serre, and brought back to the Chameleon. Now, after two days of reflecting on what happened, and resting their wounds, mentally and physically, Dominik and Ciri both have one more day before they were due to leave for Skellige, where the final fight would take place. And to show the other their appreciation and love for each other, they both planned to do something special for that last night.
Dominik felt as if he were a child again, fearing to close his eyes, for fear it would take him back to the bloody streets of Cintra. However, after seeing Bella again, learning she was alive, that had been exactly what happened, as the corpses and blood streets all came into his view, just as the white mist parted.
After it parted he saw the streets. The bloody corpses lining all over the place that he once called him. Torn golden lion banners waved off houses, and the golden sun was being raised over the streets. No soldiers were visible to him, despite it being early in the morning, the sun shining bright, as the flies gathered around the corpses that piled around, and Dominik's heart caught up in his throat when he recognized where it was.
He saw the large drainage pipe, the same one his mother had yelled for him and Bella to get through… get to the lake and wait for her, their father and Ciri.
But that wasn't the only thing he realized, because after a few moments of loud silence, a silence that was so deafening, that even as he watched the dream unfold it pierced his ears, after moments of that… he saw a pile of corpses move, and that was when he saw his mother.
Dominik could remember exactly what his mother had been wearing he night she was killed. She had come and grabbed Bella and he from their rooms, her blonde hair had been tied up in a ponytail. She wore tight black trousers, hunting gloves and a hastily thrown on leather jerkin. Dominik had always seen the sword her mother had that night, it had always rested up above their hearth on a mantle, with his mother always telling him she had gotten it from Sir Ryland, his grandfather, and that his father hadn't used it, because he insisted it was given to his mother for a reason, so he'd honor his father's wish for her to wield it. His mother had always told Dominik himself she'd let him use it one day, give it to him like Sir Ryland have it to her.
However, now Dominik saw that sword laying in the blood ground, next to his mother's corpse, her corpse with an arrow sticking out of her eye.
Dominik didn't know if it was possible for him to throw up in a dream, but he almost did then, as flies buzzed around his mother's corpse, her sword from his grandfather just out of her reach, her blonde hair marred with blood and dirt. No wounds were in her body, she hadn't died fighting, Cahir had caught her by surprise, shot her down without a second thought. Dominik would always regret what he had done to Declan, but if he could have brought Cahir back to life to kill him, then he would have… no matter what the man did in the end. It wasn't just his mother with an arrow sticking out of her, but his sister as well.
And then was when he got his confirmation, that Bella, truly was alive, the person he had seen a two nights prior wasn't some clone, or horrible dream. It had really been Bella.
The arrow that Cahir shot at her, had only pierced her shoulder, and when her young body coughed and slowly moved, he saw the arrow slip out of her body as she moved. His eyes widened when he saw a pool of dried blood on the back of her head, just as she slowly sat up with difficulty.
The realization dawned on him… Bella truly hadn't died. The arrow had pierced her yes, but it was her falling back, her slamming her head on the stone ground that had knocked her unconscious. Dominik could feel the blood dripping from his hands then, her blood, Bella's blood coursing down his rough hands as she bled out in front of him. He looked down at her then, her young, rounder face, her eyes watering as she rubbed her head, seeming to not feel the blood oozing from her shoulder in that moment, the shock of what happened not having set in yet.
His stomach churned, his limbs shook as he watched Bella yell out in pain, her smaller hands covering over the hole on her shoulder that was slowly bleeding now. He remembered exactly what Bella had been wearing that night as well. A green top, with a black choker, along with brown trousers that were caked in blood and mud now. Her hair was still sticky with blood, her long brown locks sporadic around her head, sticking out from one end or the other.
Bella shakily moved her hand from her shoulder, sobbing and shaking as she looked around her. "Where… where am I… where… where…"
She looked around, towards their mother's corpse, and Dominik saw her eyes widen. Then, after he turned around to her, yelling as her legs moved, she looked down at their mother's corpse, the arrow sticking out of her eye, over at the sword just out of her reach. Bella gently held her trembling hand out over their mother's blood tunic.
"Who… who… where… gods… gods… my head…" Bella cried, as Dominik realized what she told him the previous night was true, and what he saw in the dream of her in Skellige was true.
Bella had lost her memory when she awoke.
"Any… anyone... gods is… is anyone there?" She said, trying to stand up to her feet, but the minute she did she tripped.
She tripped forward over their mother's corpse, falling forward, recoiling as her hand cut across the blade of their grandfathers sword that was on the ground. She moved her hand back, looking at her reflection in the bloody and dirty steel of the sword, as she stumbled onto all fours, her hand falling over the hilt of the sword, as she coughed blood up onto the dirt, her face pale, her green eyes looking back around the streets.
"Why… why can't I… why can't I remember… gods… gods I-." She started, but her head darted back around when in a nearby alley footfalls started.
He heard shouting in Nilfgaardean, and the crunching of boots, along with the clunking of armor told him all he needed to know. Soon the street had swarmed with a group of Black Ones, soldiers with pikes, halberds and swords led by a man in knights plate.
"NO, GET AWAY!" Bella yelled, as one of the rushed towards her, gripping up her arm as he shouted in Nilfgaardean.
Bella yanked her arm away, clamoring to the side, the sword from their grandfather still somehow gripped in her hand. The Black One shouted in Nilfgaardean again as he went to stab his sister with the point of a halberd, but one of his friends grabbed his arm, yanking him away. The man who pulled him away gestured towards Bella, shouting out in Nilfgaardean and pointing to her. The one with the halberd who wanted to skewer her shouted back, shaking his head and turning to stab her again, and Bella recoiled.
"NOOO STAY AWAY NO!" She said, her voice screeching as tears fell from her pale face.
Dominik looked and saw the magic, the small wisps of magic circulating around Bella's eyes, it was faint but he managed to see it. He realized that her magic, just like his at that point had to be activated in some capacity. Each carrier needed the three stipulations or triggers for their powers to activate, and as each one was unlocked, the power they could control got larger and larger. Alexander had told him that the special trigger for his descendants, meaning him and Bella, to activate their powers that he added, was coming into contact with their destiny, with someone who had Elder Blood, the blood of Lara Dorren.
And just like Dominik had, Bella had unlocked her powers when she came into contact with Ciri in Cintra.
After her yell, the soldiers recoiled, and the man in full plate's eyes widened as he stomped forward in front of the two men arguing. He looked wide eyes at Bella, who had scrambled up against the wall, the sword from their grandfather laid across her lap as she hyperventilated, blood still falling from her shoulder.
The commander shouted in Nilfgaardean, pointing towards Bella and then to his men. The one who had advocated for not killing Bella shouted back, but the one with the halberd took his chance. He lunged forward and tried to grip up Bella's arm, but that was when Bella finally snapped, her eyes glowing blue as her breathing quickened.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Bella yelled, magic erupting from her as her pained screams hit Dominik's ears.
All the Nilfgaardean soldiers clamped their ears and stumbled back, and then when they looked back, all of them, and even Dominik's eyes widened as Bella glowed.
And somehow, without even knowing, his sister teleported away in a flash of blue light.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
The white mist that normally occurred in his dreams had overtaken his vision, and when it finally parted, he had to hold his hands to protect his eyes from how bright the sun was. Despite the sun, he still felt a chilly breeze wash over him, and when he opened his eyes, he tried to shout, but being in the dream, his voice hadn't come out.
It was Undvik, the spire from his dream of the wolf, swallow and black specter that had felt like so long ago, but still somehow was fresh in his mind.
He looked below him and saw a beach. A beach with one singular man on it, tending to his fishing nets, cutting along it with a knife, stabbing it into crabs and depositing them into a bucket next to him. The man already had a head of greying hair, but still looked strong as an ox, wearing a blue tunic and black trousers. He had warm brown eyes as he plunged his knife into another crab, and smirked as he examined it.
"Aye… good haul for the day," He muttered to himself with a smile, depositing the crab into the bucket.
After he did, Dominik watched in confusion as all he saw was the man tending his nets. He watched as the man hooked more bait onto his traps and tossed his net back out into the water. Dominik saw the sun was bright, the day was beautiful, the road back to what he assumed was the man's village was nearby, and the sandy dunes still had nobody else, just that man.
Just as he was about to try and wake himself, up, wondering what he could possibly be seeing this for, the man spoke again, smiling and standing up. For the first time he noticed a sword at the man's belt, just as he sighed and wiped his forehead.
"A feast worthy of the halls of Kaer Trolde…" The man said with a smirk, picking up the bucket of crabs and going to turn around. "Anora is going to be-. GODS ABOVE!"
The man yelled and stumbled backwards, just as a sword came dropping from the sky just as he looked upwards towards the clouds. The bucket of crabs fell backwards, and the creatures scurried out, as the man looked at the blade that had been implanted in the sand in front of him.
And both his and the man's eyes widened at the same time. It was Dominik's grandfathers' blade; he would recognize it anywhere. It was as long as a witchers blade, a broadsword, with a tight black leather grip and a straight crossguard, it's blade despite still being covered in blood and dirt, sparkled as the sun reflected off the bright steel, and sticking out the top, was the pommel that had been carved in the shape of a lion's head. It was truly one of the most beautiful swords Dominik had ever seen, and he remembered being giddy at the prospect of using it when he was younger.
However now, it was sticking out of the sand in Skellige.
The man recovered from his mini heart attack and stood up, walking over and pulling the blade from the sand, examining it and scoffing.
"Beautiful craftsmanship… continental for sure… but how'd it get here…" He said wonderingly, turning the blade in his hand and rubbing his finger along the bloody steel. "And who's blood is this… still pretty fresh… I wonder-."
He was cut off by a loud *WHOOSH* which Dominik recognized as the distinct sound of a portal opening. Again he and the man both shot their vision up to the source of the noise, and Dominik noticed that a swirling blue portal opened above the water where the man had just been fishing.
"GODS ABOVE!" The man yelled, dropping the sword as pulling the one from his belt.
The man discarded them both, and rushed towards the water, just as Dominik saw a limp body fall and splashed into the shallows of the crystal blue waters of the beautiful beach. His blood ran cold, as the saw the man leap and wade chest deep into the water, and his heartbeat quickened when he saw the man reach for something, a body.
Bella's body, unconscious as the older man wrapped his arms around her, wading back towards the shore.
She had landed on Undvik after she had teleported… and now he knew who the man was. He would never forget the dream he had, seeing the man die, the man who had saved Bella and taken her in killed, before Bella destroyed half the forest with her powers awakening. He finally understood what he was seeing, and wondered, if just like Bella claimed she sent him that dream, she was sending him this one as well.
"Hey… hey you alright dearie!?" The man said, as he sloshed his wet boots onto the shore, coming up next to the two swords.
Bella coughed, her eyes fluttering in the bright sun, as the man gently laid her down on the sand near their grandfather's sword. Bella coughed and her eyes continued to flutter, just as the man reached onto his belt, pulling off what he assumed to be a canteen of water, uncorking it and holding it up near Bella's lips.
Bella's eyes widened finally as she looked at the man, gaping as she shook her head. "NO! NO, GET AWAY!"
"Woah, woah easy there girl!" The man said, scooting back as Bella scrambled.
She seemed to recognize the sword, because with difficulty she picked it up, gripping both her hands on the hilt like her life depending on it. Bella still had on everything he had seen her with when she teleported, the green top, the slowly bleeding wound in her shoulder, the bloodstained, frazzled hair as she skittered back in the sand, the sword laying across her lap, as her emerald eyes frantically widened as she looked at the man.
"Get away! Get away, no more, don't hurt me!" Bella yelled, shaking her head, the sun glinting off her green eyes.
The man gently held out his hands, slowly scooting to face her on his knees. "Woah there dearie… not gonna hurt ya, no worries…. Is that sword yours?"
Bella looked down at the blade on her lap, then back to the man, shaking her head. "I… I don't know… I… I found it near me when… when I... when I woke up."
"Woke up from what? You don't look very good my dear…" The man said, gently moving closer, pointing his finger towards her shoulder. "How'd you get that… do you remember?"
Bella fervently shook her head, her pale face panicking. "I… I don't know… I… I just woke up I… I don't know…"
The man gave a sorrowful look. "Do you remember where you came from? Where… your parents are, any brothers… sisters?"
Bella clutched the sides of her head, as if trying to remember hurt her before she shook her head, blinking rapidly before she looked at the man again, shakily sighed with dried tears covering her dirty face.
"I… I don't remember… I… I woke up… around… around corpses… then… then men in armor they… they tried to take me… i… I was afraid… alone…I… I saw blue and…." Bella said, before she sobbed and shook her head, burying her face into her hands.
The man gently reached for his canteen again and managed to come up next to a crying Bella. Gingerly, he moved the sword from her lap, as his sister had completely broken down, only a stranger to comfort her, a nine-year-old girl, who had just lost everything.
His sister had lost everything… and he wasn't there for her.
"I'm not gonna hurt you dearie I promise… you thirsty?" The man said, as Bella slowly looked up, gingerly taking the canteen from him as the man nodded, a small smile coming to his face as Bella gulped the water.
It looked like she hadn't drunk anything in days, which she almost had. After downing the water, she shakily looked back to the man, her hand going frantically to the hilt of their grandfather's sword again. The man smiled at this, before gently taking the canteen back from Bella.
"You know dearie… I served as a warrior for the Jarl of Ard Skellige…" The man said, smiling as he looked down at the sword. "Do… you remember if you ever used it?"
Bella's eyes grew slightly calmer, as she looked at the sword and slowly shook her head. "I… I don't remember… someone… someone had it on them… they… they were next to me when I woke up… they… they were dead…"
"Was anyone alive… other than the men in armor when you awoke?" The man asked, curling his legs up to sit in the same position as Bella was.
Bella looked at him, tears forming in her eyes as she slowly shook her head. "No…no… everyone… everyone they… they were all dead…I… I don't remember where it was."
"Mhm… you came through a portal it seems dearie, seen druids on Ard Skellige open them before…" He said, meeting Bella's frightened eyes as he gently smiled. "But we'll worry about that more later… are you hungry? You look like you haven't eaten in days girl."
"I… I am…" Bella said carefully, her tears having dried to her dirty face again.
The man smiled broadly and nodded. "Aye… my Anora makes great omelets, slaughtered a piglet before I left to check me traps… reckon she has some extra… you like omelets girl? Peppers, cheese, mushrooms, salt, pepper?"
"I… I think so…" Bella said again, slowly nodding as the man laughed.
"Aha! Ya think so!? After ya try some of Anora's, you'll know for sure!" The man said, smiling down at Bella, who eyes him with her watery green eyes. "And… you could do with getting cleaned up… have that wound looked at…do you… at least remember your name girl?"
Bella looked at her reflection in the steel of their grandfather's sword sitting in the sand. She looked and saw her bright green eyes, before slowly looking back up at the man and nodding.
"I… I'm…. I'm Bella… that… that's all I remember…" She said, as the man smiled and nodded back down at her.
"It's very nice to meet you Bella," The man said, his smile not leaving as he nodded towards the sword. "My names Eivor, my village isn't far… I think I could carry you back, and when we get there I can-."
"I can walk! I… I can…" Bella said, as she slowly moved to her feet, groaning in pain the entire time, and when she finally got to her feet she wobbled.
After a moment, she stood still, and Eivor lightly laughed.
"Aha… spirited one aren't you lassie? You'll fit right in here… come on, I'll carry your sword for you. Let's go see if you like omelets or not…" He said with a fondly smile, as he reached down and grabbed their grandfather's sword from the ground.
Bella shakily nodded. "O… Okay…"
Eivor smiled, his hand going to Bella's back as he held both swords and gestured towards the path. "Come on then dearie… let's go get you cleaned up."
And just as Bella nodded, the mist started to whirl, and his vision went white again.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"BELLA!?" He said, his head shooting up from the bed, having to squint right away from the intense heat.
Sweat trickled down his bare chest, he looked down and felt the two long scars running across him, and saw the swallow bouncing with his medallion. All of his bones ached at once, making him groan, just as Ciri's voice hit his ears again.
"Dominik! Dom, are you alright!?" She said, and Dominik whirled his vision to the right, to see that Ciri was already dressed, dressed like she was ready to head out into town.
He groaned again, rubbing his eyes as she darted over to the bed, sitting at their bedside and grabbing his hand. Feeling her squeeze his hand and fluttering his eyes back open to see her looking at him with her beautiful emerald eyes, it almost made him forget about the dream he just had. For the moment however, it calmed him, and he was able to let out a long breath, the sun from the window outside sparkling off Ciri's eyes and the pommel of her sword as she looked at him.
Dominik nodded to her, deeply sighing again and shaking his head. "Yeah… yeah I'm fine it… it was just…"
"Another dream with Bella…" She said, giving him a reassuring smile. Ciri gently cupped his cheek with her gloved hand, before quickly kissing him. "What… what was it this time?"
She spoke softly, and her tone reassured him again. She had been even more supportive in the last two days since they had figured out the horrible truth then he ever could have hoped for. Trembling he squeezed her hand again, his other running through his soft hair, before he shakily sighed and met her eyes.
"Saw her in Cintra… she… she really did survive… woke up the next morning with no memory… gods Ciri she… she didn't even recognize our mother's corpse…" He said, as Ciri quickly scooted closer to him, squeezing his hand again.
"Dominik that… that's horrible I… I'm sorry you had to see that," She said, shaking her head as she met his eyes again. "What… what happened to her? How'd she get out?"
He shivered, sweat dripping down his bare chest as he met her eyes. "Some Nilfgaardeans found her, tried to take her…. She… she screamed and… and teleported somehow."
"She teleported?"
"She did yeah… remember what I learned from Alexander? About my powers activating, the special stipulation that unlocked them for me-."
"Was meeting me…" Ciri said slowly, sighing and shaking her head before she looked at him again. "So… when Bella met me the first time… her powers activated too."
Dominik nodded. "Seems like it did yeah…. Don't know how, but she was scared, she teleported… landed on Undvik, almost drowned but… but a man named Eivor found her, he… he became her father it seems… I remember him dying in my other dream of her… it… was what activated her powers again, before the Hunt found her…"
"Gods Bella…." Ciri said, shivering herself, and wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed the side of his neck and pulled back, her gloved hands resting on his shoulders. "We'll get her… I know we will, you and she are strong enough for this. You'll be able to face her, and Bella… she'll overcome what they did to her, I know it…"
Despite what he saw in the dream, he couldn't help but smile. It was an effect Ciri had on him from the moment he met her, she had always known what to say to him. It was perfectly natural for her and him, it was as if they both knew exactly what the other was feeling, that they simply knew each other so well, that they always knew what was bothering each other, and what to do to fix it. It was something that he missed the last eight years, along with everything else about her, having someone that knew him better then he felt he even knew himself. He loved Geralt and Yen of course, they knew him well yes, but nobody other than Ciri would ever be able to connect with him on such an emotional, spiritual and physical level.
A smile came to his face as he gently held her cheek, making her smile as well which made him giddily smile as it always did. The cute was her lip upturned, how her eyes began to glow, her smaller nostrils twitching, it was the little things he noticed about her that he loved the most, had missed the most, and some day he still couldn't believe it, despite being back together for almost a month now.
She was his, he was hers, and they were there together.
If not for Ciri, he truly didn't think he would have been able to process the news about Bella, no matter who he had around him. His friends, Freya, Faram, George, everyone at the Chameleon, they had all been there for him yes, but it was always Ciri who calmed his churning nerves the previous two days.
After his altercation with Avallac'h, and almost being poisoned, the group of them all had stayed in Novigrad for another two days. During both night he had the horrible dreams, they had been of the massacre at Cintra again, seeing Bella shot, seeing her as Baelen, himself killing her, Bella killing Ciri, it had been horrible, he had woken up screaming like he used to when he was a child. However, unlike when he was a child, Ciri didn't have to sneak from her room at Kaer Morhen to get to him, she was right there next to him.
And also just like when they were children, she had been there, consoling him the entire time, holding him until they both fell back to sleep.
It had a hard two days, and a small part of him wanted to stay there, stay in Novigrad, spend the days as he had the previous two, drinking and spending time with his friends and Ciri. He had learned more about Radovid's assassination, learned that Avallac'h had actually taken Geralt to Tir'Nala, the Aen Elle's home world, and convinced Eredin's viceroy to not send to Eredin when the battle came. As much as he wished to cut the elf in half still, even Dominik would admit that it was an intelligent plan.
He also hadn't only learned but saw the amount of sorceresses that they had now. Keira, and Ida had been there, and he was sure along with Phillipa Eilhart and Margarita, were all up in the ruby suite, which Avallac'h had abandoned, scheming something. Ciri had told him how they wished to have a meeting with her, and initially it had scared him. However, with Ciri's assurance, he soon realized he had nothing to be afraid of.
Ciri wasn't a child anymore, if they tried to bite her, force her into something, she'd bite back. Nothing would stand in the way of their future.
With everything now ready, that day would be their last in Novigrad. Avallac'h had been grouchy about having to stay extra days, but to his surprise it was Ciri who shut him down, and the sage had begrudgingly agreed. He assumed the sage was at the harbor, waiting aboard Faram's ship for them all, seeming to have finally had enough of them, which Dominik didn't mind at all.
It gave him one last day with Ciri, Geralt, Yen, his friends, before they sailed for Skellige. For the final battle, the one Bella told him to avoid. He naturally wasn't going to listen, because now it wasn't only Ciri at stake, not just Ciri and the continent, but Bella as well, the last link to his first family.
However, as he looked and saw the sun sparkling off Ciri's eyes, she was all he wanted to focus on that day, their last day.
"Thanks princess…" He said, leaning forward, and kissing her, before pulling back, a small scoff leaving him as he shook his head. "You know… she actually had our grandfather's sword with her somehow… you remember? My mother used to have it now and then."
Ciri smiled and nodded at him, her eyes twinkling in the sun as she stepped off the bed, and Dominik whirled his legs around. He noticed again how she was completely dressed, like she was ready to head out into town, her sword strapped to her back, her bun of ashen hair tied back, the hood attached to her top.
She nodded, smiling still. "I do yeah… what was it called again? Coram wasn't it?"
Dominik smiled as well, nodding as his socks hit the floor. "It was yeah, Coram. It means 'lion' in Elder Speech, also happens to be the name of one of Cintra's kings. It was sihil, wicked sharp, dwarven made, with runic magic."
"I remember now yes, Geralt told me he had one of them, got it from Zoltan," Ciri said, adjusting her sword, as she went and grabbed Fate.
Dominik watched as she leaned his blade against his dresser and nodded at her. "Yeah… beautiful sword… probably lost now, she didn't have it when we fought. Damn shame… if I saw it maybe well… I would have noticed."
Ciri turned back to him, grabbing his face in her hands again and kissing him. "No use thinking about all of that, alright? We got one more day together, let's not think about all of that."
He smiled again, feeling his heart flutter as he nodded at her, before rolling his eyes. "Yes, one day before we go and find a 'sunstone', which your nanny elf had deigned to inform us how it works."
She sighed and rolled her eyes back at him. "It'll summon Eredin and the Hunt, isn't that enough?"
"For me yes, for Avallac'h? No, I don't think so at all. You know as well as I do, there's something he's not telling us about the thing," Dominik said, as Ciri walked over towards the table in their room.
Geralt had told him how he and Avallac'h were told by Ge'els, the viceroy they convinced to turn against Eredin about the sunstone. He remembered Geralt telling him how Avallac'h basically salivated at the idea, and right away Dominik had been suspicious. However, nowadays, he decided that he would simply trust Ciri's intuition. And Ciri still swore that they had no choice but to trust Avallac'h if they wanted to defeat the Hunt.
He knew she was right deep down, but it didn't mean he was happy about it.
Ciri sighed as she slung a bag over her shoulder. Dominik narrowed his eyes at her, getting up and yawning as she turned back to him. He had never seen her wear a bag over her shoulder that size and had no idea what she could possibly need it for.
She met his eyes and sighed, coming inches from him and shaking her head. "Dominik we've been over this… I know… but we don't exactly have a choice, we have to trust him, just for now."
He sighed and rolled his eyes, but met he eyes and nodded. She smirked at him, reaching up a hand onto his bare chest, right below his medallion and the swallow.
"I know it's been hard for you… but I just wanted to say… thank you for trusting me," She said, leaning up and kissing him again, before taking a step back again. "But like I said, let's not worry about Avallac'h, the Hunt, anything, just us and our friends tonight alright?"
His lips tingled where she kissed him, and like always, he felt the pleasant tingling in his stomach. He was still only in his undergarments and socks, so he felt horrendously underdressed in that moment, but what Ciri said still hit home for him.
After everything that had happened in the weeks since they left Kaer Morhen, the Crones, Imlerith, Fiona, Drogar, Bella, Avallac'h, he wanted to focus on just her then. A night with Ciri, their friends, Geralt, Yennefer, before the final stretch of their journey sounded ideal.
However, it still hadn't answered his question as to why Ciri was already dressed, and had a larger bag slung over her shoulder. He smiled at her however, nodding before a small laugh came to him.
"I trust you more than anyone princess… always will," He said, before crossing his arms and looking down at the bag on her shoulder. "So… what do you got in there, a dead body? And… why are you dressed already; do you have more errands you need to run?"
Ciri stiffened for a moment, nervously laughing, nodding while she rubbed the back of her head, keeping his gaze. "Aha… errands… yes, yes I have errands I have to run in town."
"Do you want me to come with you?" He asked, stretching out his shoulders, knowing he had nothing else to do. "I don't really have anything else to-."
"NO!" She said quickly, cutting him off, as Dominik's eyes widened.
He scoffed a small laughed and nervously nodded. "Um… okay… are… you sure? I really don't mind I-."
"No, no… no…" She said nervously again, laughing sheepishly and rubbing her head. "I… just… um… need to get some… feminine things, I… um… don't want to make you uncomfortable."
Dominik scoffed, crossing his arms as he looked at her. "Ha, Ciri I promise I won't be, you know I won't. Remember back at Kaer Morhen? You came to me screaming the first time that you had your-."
"No, no that's not what I mean you stupid boy!" She cut him off again, her face getting red, as her eyes quickly widened, and she shook her head again. "I… just need to get some stuff… alone."
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her again. "Ciri I… understand you don't want to spend every second together, but I mean well… it's the last day before we leave and-."
"I won't be long, I promise! I'll be back in an hour or two, I promise, and then we'll spend all day together I swear, I'll thrash you at gwent as much as you want," She cut him off yet again, smiling this time, before quickly leaning up and kissing him. "I love you, I'll see you later, like I said I won't be long I swear!"
And before Dominik could ask any more questions, Ciri darted out of their room, the bag over her shoulder clunking on her way out. For a moment, he thought that she had taken his armor with her, and that was what he heard. However, he looked over to the table in their room, which they both had taken to throwing their swords and armor on, and sure enough, all the pieces of his armor were there, neatly folded, and ready for him to put on, just like she had done for him each of the days they had been there.
He scoffed in disbelief for a moment, not able to recall a time that she had acted like that in front of him. He was also surprised that he hadn't heard her getting out of bed or setting up his armor. Sometime when they were younger, the two of them would simply be 'off' one day, whether it be one of them simply not getting enough sleep, simply being in a foul mood, or being stressed. Ciri got like that often when they were younger, easily agitated, lashing out from the full weight that was on her shoulders. Dominik had always been there to comfort her, and this seemed similar to one of those times, however never had she denied him going somewhere with her.
Sighing, he looked over to the drawer, where Ciri had placed Fate for him. He picked up the sword, and gently pulled it partly out of its sheath. Sure enough it sparkled from the sunlight, and he gently ran his finger along the edges, quickly pulling back when he felt the pricking pain. Scoffing he managed to laugh, a broad smile coming to his face as he sighed again and placed the sword back against the end table.
"Sharpened and polished… thanks princess…" He said fondly, smiling again as he walked over towards his armor set out on the table. "Wonder what's gotten into her… probably just the nerves."
He ran his hand over his armor, smiling as he went to grab his trousers, realizing that was more then likely it. Ciri had been so busy comforting him the previous few days, that she had barely any time to reflect on what happened herself. Dominik knew what happened with Bella hit her hard as well, combined with still not knowing how to fully control her powers, the final fight with the Hunt coming soon, it was all a lot to put on a person he knew.
But still, she had worried about him. He knew she was struggling with what Bella had said to her, when his sister asked Ciri 'what she ever did for him'. Dominik knew the question was easily answered, at least by him. Ciri had loved him, been there for him his entire life. Even when they were apart, the memories she made for him, the love he knew she still had for him out there, she had gotten him through the years alone. Even then, she was still doing everything for him, despite the weight of the world, the fate of the continent on her shoulders, she was still looking after him, comforting him, reassuring him, being there.
He loved her with everything he had. She was the most beautiful, determined, hardworking, compassionate, loving woman he ever knew, and from the moment he met her, it was never going to be anyone else other then Ciri. To that day he still didn't know what he did in that life or a previous one to deserve having such a woman, such a person period in his life, let alone that kind of person being in love with him.
And he decided then and there that she deserved something for it.
"In the words of the great Dandelion, love… it like a pear, can you describe the shape of a pear?" He said, laughing lightly, as he sighed and smiled, unfolding his trousers. "Speaking of my favorite bard… I wonder if he's home…. And I also need to stop talking to myself so much."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Dominik rounded the steps to the ground floor, and to his surprise, it was empty except for a few people. He had been hoping to find Geralt there, so that he and his father could go and look for something for Ciri in the market, but he grew even more confused, when just as he rounded the steps, he saw Geralt quickly following Ciri out the door. He didn't even get a chance to yell his father's name before he saw Geralt's sword disappear out into the streets. A small part of him wanted to go and follow the two, but whatever it was Ciri was doing, she had made it clear that she didn't want him along. He knew it wasn't for any bad reasons, he hadn't done anything wrong, but it still made him wonder what she possibly could be doing with Geralt alone without him.
He adjusted his sword on his back, sighing as he got to the bottom floor finally. After only having his old steel blade for so long, he had finally gotten silver, but now he only had silver and no steel, which he found as a cruel ironic twist. He knew when they got to Skellige, he'd need to find himself new steel, he thought perhaps to ask one of his friends, knowing that Geralt more than likely didn't have anymore to lend him. He was sure that Faram or George had to carry at least one extra steel sword with them, however, he hoped that day in particular he wouldn't need to draw steel, or silver.
Dominik had one goal for that day now, and that was to find something for Ciri. No object or present, would ever be able to truly express how much she meant to him, but he would try his best.
"Dominik! Haha, barely had time to speak since you been back my young friend," The voice of surprisingly Dandelion, hit his ears.
Dominik whirled around, to see the bard sitting at one of his tables across from Priscilla. The inn hadn't been opened yet, with Dandelion still keeping it closed for them to use. Nobody else, not Zoltan, or any other sorceresses were there, only Priscilla and Dandelion. Freya, Faram and George he assumed were still sleeping off the previous night's drunken games, in which Dominik remembered Freya had somehow, someway defended her arm-wrestling title successfully against Faram, much to the bear witchers annoyance.
He smiled as he saw Priscilla and Dandelion both wave him over, and after seeing the platter of eggs, bacon, pitchers of juice, and bowls of fruit, Dominik was easily convinced.
"Ha… yeah… sorry about that," He said, walking over to the two of them, taking a seat next to Priscilla, looking between them both. "Been… a bit busy you could say."
Dandelion scoffed, a mug of wine in his hand, waving off his statement. "Bah, no need to apologize at all, you got important stuff going on, and having Ciri back? I know… about everything that happened, but that has to be a good thing at least."
Dominik laughed lightly, his face getting red as he nodded. "Yeah… yeah it is."
"I've spoken to her a few times myself," Priscilla said from next to him, her golden blonde curls cascading down her back as she smiled. "Lovely young woman… I can see now why you're so sodded."
"That I am… that's for sure," Dominik said, reaching around his neck and fiddling with the swallow.
He grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit, before pouring himself what he saw was apple-juice upon closer inspection. The bacon fell right into his stomach when he ate it, he savored the taste as Dandelion scoffed and smiled broadly at Priscilla's words.
"Ha are you kidding? You should have seen the two of them when they were younger. Barely left each other's side for a minute," The bard said, getting a laugh from Priscilla, as Dominik smiled and rolled his eyes.
"That we were… didn't mind one bit to be honest," Dominik said, taking a bit of the apple, and down some of the juice before he looked to them both again. "She was… acting a bit weird earlier though, practically ran out of our room."
"Well, she certainly did seem to be in a hurry down here as well," Priscilla confirmed from next to him, looking and meeting his eyes. "We were sitting and having breakfast with Geralt. Ciri came down and said she needed him, seemed urgent."
Dandelion nodded across him. "She's right, Geralt got up, they spoke for a bit and Ciri practically drug him out."
Dominik scoffed, shaking his head, wondering what she could possibly be up too. He looked outside where he saw Geralt leaving, now he knew, being tugged by Ciri. The sun was high, a nice cool breeze shot in through the open windows on the ground floor. He saw Ciri's wide eyes, her insisting that she was okay, and didn't need him to come. He wasn't scared, more so worried that she was stressed to the point she thought she couldn't talk to him.
However, just like she had been doing for him he'd do something for her. Dandelion when they were younger, had always told Ciri and he there's a silver lining in almost every situation, and Dominik found one in that morning then. With Ciri gone for an hour or two, perhaps longer now that she was with Geralt, it would give him plenty of time to find something for her, to figure out something he could do for her. He liked to consider himself a romantic boyfriend, he'd given Ciri surprise picnics, dances and gifts plenty of times before, but in that moment as he sat and thought, listening to Priscilla and Dandelion chat, he simply couldn't think of anything suitable enough.
Nothing that came to his mind then truly felt like it was good enough. Perhaps he could get her some armor? No, it more than likely wouldn't be done in time, he'd need her measurement, and he also knew he didn't have the coin for it. Flowers? No, that was too small, and he had gotten her flowers plenty of time in just the last few weeks alone. Maybe another picnic? No, that wouldn't work either, he didn't know of any real sufficient spot, plus he wouldn't have Freya to help him cook this time. His blonde friend had drunk so much the previous night that Dominik didn't think she'd be getting up before midday.
"Dom? You alright, what're you thinking about?" Dandelion asked, pulling his attention back to the table around him.
Priscilla spoke up from next to him. "Yeah, what is it? We asked you a question and you didn't answer."
"Oh… sorry, what was it?" He asked, looking between them both.
Dandelion nodded and smiled. "We were wondering if you think everyone would be up for one last bash before you leave for Skellige. I'll bring the band in, a few dancers, have them cook us up some good stuff."
"Yeah, just the people we trust, not many," Priscilla said, a smile coming to her face as well as she met his eyes. "We haven't had a live performance since you all got here! We thought we would treat you all before you head off."
And upon hearing them both suggest it, a small idea trickled at the back of Dominik's head, an idea for the last thing that Ciri would expect to receive from him as a gift. Something that could truly express how much she had meant to him, not just the previous few weeks, but ever since he had met her.
The only problem was that he had no idea how… but with some help he thought the idea would be brilliant.
"Yeah… that actually sounds like a fun idea," Dominik said genuinely, the smile forming on his face, as he reached and gingerly held the swallow, looking at Priscilla and Dandelion both. "As for what I was thinking about well…. I wanted to do something special for Ciri, get her something, do something to show her how much she means to me you know… before we leave."
Dandelion laughed heartily and smirked. "Aha it seems like you didn't take after Geralt when it comes to your romantic ways my young friend!"
Priscilla scoffed and rolled her eyes at Dandelion, before smiling back at him. "As overdramatic as Dandelion is… that is incredibly romantic Dom. Did you have any ideas?"
"Yeah, a necklace, flowers, chocolates, Ciri isn't the type to want for much, whatever it is it has to come from the heart!" Dandelion said dramatically, making Priscilla roll her eyes again.
Dominik sheepishly laughed, rubbing the back of his head as his heart thumped. His hand twirled around the silver swallow again, as he normally did when he thought about Ciri. Dandelion may have been joking, but Dominik knew he was right. Ciri wasn't much for material possessions, she enjoyed smaller things, like when he randomly picked her a flower, made her one of the crowns or bracelets he often had. One time in Ellander, he remembered he came back from the market with Geralt to the inn, with a box of chocolate for them both to share, and Ciri had been over the moon, kissing him for it before they proceeded to eat the whole thing in minutes, before getting sick that night from it.
Again it was the smaller things that made her happy, the picnics, the swimming trips, simply being together. He knew some women preferred grand gestures of love, intricate plans and dates, being serenaded, wooed and courted, getting fancy dresses and jewelry. Ciri however, was different, which was good, because he was a rubbish singer, and very rarely had the coin for such elaborate plans. She always told him how happy she was by the simple things, holding hands and going for walks along a moonlit path while they talked was a date for her, sitting by a fire and holding one another, even simply sitting in their room with one another. It was all Ciri ever needed, and if it was what she loved, Dominik would do it for her, because those moments were some of the best of his life.
In that moment however, he wanted to do something bigger, not too big or flashy, but bigger then what he normally did. A gesture that he would indeed need help with, and would take some time, but in the end, would be completely worth it.
He smiled sheepishly again and looked between Dandelion and Priscilla. "Aha… I had a few ideas, but all of them require coin and time, which I have very little of both."
"It doesn't have to be something expensive, Ciri doesn't seem like the type to care. You could knit her a sweater and she'd be ecstatic it seems," Priscilla said.
Dandelion laughed and nodded. "That is true… so, Dom, I know you probably got some idea cooked up, what is it?"
Dominik sighed, and bit his lip, looking at them both again. "I…. was thinking… maybe a song… about us. We can perform it tonight with everyone here! If it's only our friends coming, everybody more than likely knows about us anyway. Problem is… I sound like a wounded wyvern when I sing… and I can write plays but songs? Eh… not so much… I was… wondering if the two of you would help me."
Never in Dominik's life did he see Dandelion's eyes grow so wide so fast, as the bard seemed unable to contain his excitement. He shared a look with Priscilla, who seemed to be just as elated as he was, only serving to make Dominik blush even more.
Dandelion scoffed and smiled broadly as he turned to him. "Ha! You're kidding, I've been waiting years for you to ask me that! It'll be a ballad for the ages!"
"You know you can't perform it again after tonight right? At least not until the Hunt's dealt with," Dominik stressed, looking and meeting the bard's eyes.
Again Dandelion scoffed. "Oh come now, of course I know that! But true artists revel at the challenge, writing a song about you and Ciri… gods the endless possibilities!"
"A momentous task yes," Priscilla said, a small smirk coming to the trobairitz's face as she looked over and met Dominik's eyes with a smile. "If I recall correctly… you said you'd give the writing rights to you and Ciri to Dandelion and me both correct?"
"That I did…" Dominik said with a smile, looking over to Dandelion. "I wouldn't want anyone else doing it…"
Dandelion smiled gently and nodded. "I promise Dom you won't be disappointed, between Priscilla and I, we'll craft a song that'll knock Ciri's, and your socks off!"
"That we will, gods this is exciting," Priscilla said, a bit of giddiness to her tone as she turned and met Dominik's eyes. "He's right, you won't be disappointed, by the song, or the performance, we'll sing it ourselves."
Dominik smiled, his chest fluttering as he scoffed a sheepish laugh as they both smiled at him. He regretted not being able to speak with either of them more than he had. He had said hello in passing, and explained bits about what was happening, but in reality, Dandelion and Priscilla were two of his best-friends, two people who he trusted more than most, and knew if they got the future they wanted, Ciri and he would be seeing much more of.
The Chameleon would always be a place for them to go and rest their heads, a place they could always call home.
"I know I won't be… thank you both, so much, for everything," Dominik said, nodding to them both, his hand still fiddling with the swallow around his neck.
Priscilla smiled sheepishly as well, before Dandelion nodded to him, pushing his wine to the side.
"Of course Dom… I've been waiting a long time for this, but it's finally time, after so many years to pen 'the ballad of the young wolf and the swallow!" The bard said excitedly, with Priscilla nodding in agreement.
Dominik smiled as well, getting giddy himself at the idea, as more of his plan started clicking in his head. The idea of a large party, a night with all of his friends, everyone who had gotten him to this point around them, him and Ciri dancing to their song, good food, wine, friends, it was something that they always dreamed off, and dreams as they often did, would become a reality.
He met Dandelion's eyes and nodded at him and Priscilla both. "Alright, I guess I'm gonna have to accept the nickname… do you two… need anything from me for it?"
Dandelion nodded eagerly. "Of course we will! I'll grab a parchment and a quill, what we need from you my friend… is the story, you and Ciri's story, all of it."
Dominik looked at the bard strangely. "Why? Dandelion you basically know all of it already."
Priscilla shook his head next to him, as Dandelion quickly rose from his seat. He noticed the bard heading over to find parchment and a quill.
"He may already know it all, but I don't," Priscilla said, smiling at him, her blue eyes shining with excitement. "Besides, we're obviously not going to be able to fit every small detail in, song would be hours long if that were the case."
"So… you need to know the important parts then?" Dominik asked, just as Dandelion came back down with a quill and fresh parchment.
The bard nodded to confirm, meeting his eyes again. "Basically yes. But it's important we know the whole story, all the details you can provide, and later on we'll decide what to keep and what to not add."
"You… want to hear about it from the beginning then? From Cintra?" He asked, his heart thumping a bit, as Dandelion nodded, and Priscilla did the same.
"From the beginning, yes…we need to know, and understand the story of you two inside and out if we want this to be a masterpiece like we plan!" Dandelion said excitedly, and Priscilla scoffed at him.
"Oh don't be so dramatic Dandelion, you're scaring him!" Priscilla said, turning to face Dominik again with a reassuring smile. "Tell us what you can, no pressure at all… I must admit, Dandelion has told me bits… but I'm curious to hear the whole story, what you'd like to share of course."
Dominik didn't mind telling his story, because he knew, that the trials and tribulations that Ciri and he had faced were horrible yes, but in the end it made both them, and the bond they shared stronger. It made the love they had for one another grow, despite being apart for so long, the love stayed, it took a special bond to last for so long apart, one that he was blessed every day to have.
He truly considered himself, despite everything that had happened to him, the luckiest man in the world, because all he ever truly needed was her by his side.
"I don't mind, if… you want me to start at the beginning I will… the very beginning," Dominik said, squeezing the swallow, a smile coming to his face as he looked between Dandelion and Priscilla both. "Well… it started in Cintra, eleven years ago… when Ciri was the cities princess, and I was the son of its guard captain…"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Ciri, you're thinking about this too much," Geralt said from behind her, as she looked carefully at the case of gwent cards in front of her.
She rolled her eyes and turned back to her father. "Are you suggesting that I think less?"
Geralt rolled his eyes back at her. "You know… I regret giving you my level of sarcasm… but frankly, yes. Come on, it's Dom, you know he doesn't really want for anything, well, except you that is, and he already has that."
"Which is exactly why this is so hard…" Ciri said, sighing in disappointment, as she looked at the case of gwent cards in the stand again. "Are you sure he wouldn't like new gwent cards? I know he's been saying how if he has a new leader card he would-."
"Do you really want to encourage him to play gwent more, by getting him new cards?" Geralt said dryly, his arms crossed as Ciri sighed again.
She bit her lip as she turned away from the case of cards, facing Geralt again. Ciri loved Dominik she did, but Geralt was right, the less he played gwent the better for him.
"You're right… come on Geralt, there has to be something I could get for him," She lamented, turning back to her father as they stood near the fountain. "I thought I knew him better than anyone, I never thought getting him something would be this hard…. Come on, what does he like!"
"You mean other then you?" Geralt said, smirking as Ciri rolled her eyes in slight annoyance.
"Yes I mean other than me," Ciri said with a shake of her head, as she turned and looked at the multiple market stalls again. "He doesn't wear jewelry… he doesn't need new clothes or armor… why is this so hard…"
Geralt scoffed, rolling his eyes and muttering under his breath. "Know exactly what you could get him… maybe he won't be such a hardass anymore…"
Ciri, knowing exactly what Geralt was implying turned and flared at him again, her face getting red as Geralt's eyes widened.
Her father, for what she assumed was the first time in his life stuttered over his words. "O…Oh…. So… you were… already… well… planning on-."
"Yes Geralt I was," Ciri said, crossing her arms as Geralt sighed.
He held his hands up scoffing and shaking his head. "Alright sorry for the jokes… but Ciri, you know you really don't need to get him anything right? You're all he needs; all he's really wanted for the last eight years…. As much as thought makes me wanna plug my ears… I think sex is more than enough."
Ciri sighed again, turning back to the market stands. "I can't just do that Geralt… it would be shallow of me. Besides… after everything we've been through, what he's done for me… I just need to get him something else…"
She perused through the stand with gwent cards again, gwent cards, other small baubles and trinkets, nothing caught her eye that sunny morning. The merchant at the stand started glaring at her, clearly telling Ciri to either buy something or leave, to which Ciri sighed and turned back to Geralt looking at her as he stood near the fountain in Gildorf. Every idea that she had so far hadn't seemed good enough, clothes, gwent cards, necklaces and trinkets, nothing would really be able to convey what she was trying to say to him. She had felt awful at how she shot him down earlier in the morning, but she had panicked, not wanting him to figure out what she was planning.
The sun was bright that day, a chill wind sent goosebumps up her arms as she bit her lip, for some reason looking at the multiple stands she had already seen and decided there wasn't anything she wanted. Gildorf was bustling that day, and it only made Ciri more anxious seeing all the people around. They were due to leave at dawn the next morning, so she didn't have any time left to put off getting him something.
She had already made up her mind that she would make that night their first time. Quite frankly Ciri was tired of waiting, she understood why they had waited, wanting the moment to be perfect, but Ciri didn't think they'd have another moment as perfect as the one they'd have that night. The last night before going off and leaving for the final stretch of their journey, for the final battle they'd need to win before they had their freedom. Yes, it was the perfect time in Ciri's opinion, and if for some reason it wasn't, then she would make it perfect somehow, perfect for him and for her. After everything she had been through, being raped, having men twice her age proclaim their love for her, attempt to take her to rape her and force her to marry then, she was finally ready to be with a person she truly felt genuine love for, someone who loved her for her and not her title or power, who she trusted with every fiber of her being. That was Dominik, and she wasn't afraid to admit how excited she was.
However, it was as she told Geralt, she wasn't going to just have sex with him, she wanted to do something special, get him something special. She knew what Geralt said was correct, Dominik truly didn't want for anything, he had told her multiple times she was all he ever wanted in his life, and while Ciri loved that about him, loved him for it, it didn't help her current situation. She had felt horrible when she saw the upset look on his face earlier when she left, so she wanted to make it worth it, by finding something, anything for him. She had insisted Geralt come with her, however, so far her father hadn't been much help, only telling her exactly what she already knew.
Her first idea had failed, so now she was desperate for something else. Dominik had given up so much, she knew he had a hard time still trusting Avallac'h, that, along with everything that was happening with Bella, what happened with Fiona, and then of course all he did over the last eight years to find her, she would never be able to truly express in words, or with a gift how much it all meant to her. However, she was going to try her best, one way or another. She wouldn't head back to the Chameleon, until she was sure she had something she knew he'd love, he had fought Eredin himself for her, quite literally was seconds from death, all to protect her. She'd do the same for him, but she still didn't believe she had properly thanked him for that, or for never giving up looking for her, despite him saying she didn't have to say thank you.
Sex was just one thing, she knew it meant a lot to him as well yes, and he would more then likely be excited for it as she was, but still, she needed something else.
Geralt came up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Ciri, don't stress out about this too much. You do know him better then anyone, you could pick a flower off the side of the road and he'd be okay with that."
Ciri scoffed and shook her head. "Geralt after everything he's done… I just need to find something else. He used to do the most romantic little things back for me in Ellander remember?"
Her father laughed and playfully rolled his eyes. "I do yeah, remember all the times he snuck you two off, night and day, Yen and I always knew, followed to make sure you were okay."
Ciri's head snapped back up to him. "You did!?"
"Of course we did, you hadn't really mastered how to stay quiet yet," He said with a smirk, crossing his arms as he looked down at her. "We always left you alone after making sure you were okay. You guys barely ever did anything, most of the time just sat and talked."
"It was my favorite thing… still is…" Ciri said, a fond smile coming to her face as she twirled the ring around her neck. "Just sitting and talking… I could do it for hours."
"With plenty of other stuff in between."
"Geralt!" Ciri said, her face getting red again as Geralt laughed.
Her father finished laughing and smiled down at her. "My point is… you don't gotta think too hard about it, he already loves you, he knows you love him, it's the little things that he likes the most you know that."
Ciri was the same way herself. She had never been one for enormous gestures of love, she knew Dominik loved her, she didn't need him to get her a wagon full of roses and plan an elaborate hours long date for her to know that. The closest he had ever done to that, she would never forget, was about a week before she had left for Aretuza and Thanedd. He had woken her up, in the dead middle of the night, and Ciri, with her hair all ragged and frazzled, with a hastily thrown on outfit had followed him towards the forest, towards the lake that they normally had gone to swim at, that was right off of the meadow they loved.
She would never forget the astonishment, the wonder, the love she felt for him when she saw what he had done. Yen had obviously helped him, the spot where they usually had their picnics, was filled with dozens of small floating lights, floating balls of fire, and candles that somehow hadn't burned anything down. The lights had been beautiful, casting their glow over them both, as he laid out food for them both, an assortment of all of her favorites, dumplings, potatoes, a bowl of fruit and somehow he even convinced Geralt and Yen to let him bring a very small amount of wine for them both, along with apple juice, and of course a crown of white roses that he had made for her.
Despite the wonder and love she felt, Ciri remembered being extremely flustered, since she was in nothing but a night gown, a cloak, with her hair a complete bird's nest. Dominik had been dressed in a similar manner, but she particularly remembered him kissing her under those lights, telling her she was still the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, which made Ciri nearly cry on the spot.
That night had been one of the best in that year, despite it being so close to her leaving for Aretuza. They hadn't talked about it, her powers, anything, they had simply talked about their memories, the new ones they'd make, before eating, and simply laying beneath those beautiful lights together.
Dominik had done multiple other things like that, she even remembered one day he surprised her, by bringing a box of exotic chocolates he found in the market back to their room, and the two got sick eating them so fast. That was a date for her, Ciri got excited even when he simply picked a flower he thought was pretty for her off the side of the road. And even in the last few weeks he had been doing it. Despite how the night ended, she had loved the night they spent in the cave with one another. He had picked her flowers from the side of the road, complimented her at every opportunity, and she had lost count of the magical nights they spent simply huddled in each other's arms, talking about where they'd go and what they'd do when it was all over. The night he had pleasured her with his mouth had also been very high on the list for her, and she was giddy at the prospect of spending another intimate night together, finally, after waiting for so long, for that right moment.
But the bottom line was, she knew he deserved something more, and she was going to find something for him if it killed her.
Ciri sighed and met Geralt's eyes. "I know… but I just need to find something a bit more for him. We're going off to battle soon and well… I want to get him something special."
Geralt finally nodded, meeting her eyes and looking wonderingly. "Alright, alright, if you insist, we'll find something…. You really didn't think of anything else?"
She bit the inside of her cheek and sighed, reaching to the bag slung around her shoulder again. Ciri had gotten it from Faram the night before, and luckily enough had hid what she needed inside of it before Dominik had woken up.
"Yeah… I went to every smith in the city the last two days, I brought it with me in case I found another but… they all said it was broken beyond repair," She told Geralt, pulling out the half a sword.
Geralt scoffed and shook his head. "His sword? He still has the broken half?"
Ciri nodded, running her gloved hand along the corroded steel. The edges were still sharp on the sword, and Ciri was surprised that after so many years the blade still held such a fine edge. Dominik had told her how he had meticulously cared for it from the time he was fifteen, and it certainly paid off then. She remembered how distraught he was seeing it snap in half in their fight against the Crones. Some nights she saw him looking at it before bed, she knew it was much more than a sword to him, so it had been her first idea, having it repaired despite him saying they didn't have time.
"Yeah… he's still pretty upset about it. He… didn't really like the sword you gave him, said it was too heavy, and the grip didn't feel right," She told Geralt, fitting her hand around the handle of the sword.
The brown leather grip on the old steel blade was worn, but fit snuggly in Ciri's hand, and she understood then why Dominik had loved it so much. Geralt looked wonderingly at the blade, gently taking it from her and examining it for a moment, before meeting her eyes.
"Yeah, the one I gave him was older… know what he means about the grip just feeling right in your hand, some swords are like that. Sure you feel that way about your sword," Geralt said, gesturing to Zireael on her back.
He was right, Ciri loved the sword she had. Despite the fact it had been given to her by a madman, it had saved her, and she assumed she'd act the same way Dominik had if she lost it.
She adjusted the swords strap and met Geralt's eyes. "I do yeah… I wanted to get it fixed for him, I thought maybe a talented enough smith could put a new blade on it, so he could keep the grip. Apparently however, none are skilled enough here…"
A smirk came to Geralt's face as he handed the broken sword back to her. "Actually… there is. Most talented weaponsmith I ever met, no doubt he could fix it, probably make it better than before even… and it just so happens he owes me."
Ciri scoffed, a smile coming to her face. "Do… I want to know how?"
Geralt laughed and gestured for her to follow. "Long story… come on, let's go see him, his shop isn't far from here."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"So… you think you can fix it?" Geralt asked the elf.
The elf, Hattori Geralt told her his name was, examined the broken blade before looking back to them. "Well… the blade is obviously damaged beyond repair, I'll have to weld on a new one, luckily for you, I have one already made, was supposed to be for some rich Redanian aristocrat, but the bastard hasn't paid me yet, I think that blade will be put to better use here."
A smile came to the elf's face, and Ciri felt one soon come to her as well. The elf's shop was smaller, but she had already seen the quality of some of the blades and weapons he had out on display. One such blade had almost put a hole in her glove from the softest of touches. The elf's shop hadn't been far from the Gildorf square, and overall, she and Geralt hadn't been out long, just like she had promised Dominik before she left. And now, the idea of truly being able to get his sword fixed, which had been the first real material thing she knew he wanted in a long time, she was absolutely giddy.
The elf wasn't very tall, not exceptionally large, but Geralt had promised her he was the best and after almost putting a hole in her glove, she was ready to believe him finally. The forge was hot, and she held her hands out over it as the chilly wind blew on that sunny day. She looked and realized the Chameleon wasn't far off, she had already began thinking about the next part of her plan. She'd go to see Triss when she got back, and then would spend some time with Dominik before the night came. She looked over at Geralt who smiled and turned to back to Hattori.
"How long do you think it'll take?" He asked the elf.
Hattori nodded, still examining the blade, before smiling back at them both. "Not long at all, for you and your wards Geralt, I'll gladly make this my first priority!"
"Thank you, so much, it truly does mean a lot," Ciri said, thankfully, giving the elf a small bow as the excited smiled grew on her face. "The… the grip will still be the same right? That's what he misses most, how the grip fits in his hand."
Hattori laughed and nodded reassuringly. "No problem at all my dear! I'll simply weld a new blade onto the edge after getting this one off. Same grip and all."
Ciri smiled and looked at Geralt. She loved it when he smiled, and he did so often whenever her and Dominik were together, when they all were together. Her father looked over to Hattori, and to Ciri's surprise, reached into his back pocket, and pulled out an older looking piece of parchment, meeting Hattori's eyes and handing it over to him.
"Think you can make some improvements?" Geralt asked, a small smirk coming to his face as Ciri looked at him wonderingly.
Hattori examined the parchment and scoffed a smile. "Well well well… I certainly think I can. A blade worthy of a master witcher, I'll begin working right away!"
"How much will I owe you?" Geralt asked, smiling as he crossed his arms and Ciri right away scoffed and looked at him.
"What? Geralt, no, I'll pay for it!" Ciri said.
Geralt scoffed at her now. "Ha, you're telling me you've been saving up crowns in your trips between worlds?"
"No, but I can certainly trade something for-." Ciri started, but Hattori laughed and cut them both off.
"Oho none of that now! Geralt, if not for you I'd still be hidden away rolling dumplings. For you and your wards, free of charge my friend!" The elf said, folding the parchment, and holding his hand out for Geralt.
Ciri's mouth went agape, as she smiled, the corners of her lip upturning as Geralt nodded thankfully to the elf.
"Thanks Eibear," Geralt said, shaking the man's hand.
"Truly, thank you, it means a lot," Ciri said, reaching and shaking the man's hand as well, giddily smiling at him. "About how long do you believe until it's ready?"
Hattori nodded with a smile to them both, picking up the broken sword again. "Well, considering I already have a worthy enough blade, I simply need to weld it on, and make the improvements. After that, I need but polish and sharpen it, should only take a few hours or so, should be able to have it done by sunset."
Ciri nodded excitedly, it would be perfect timing, and again she thankfully bowed to the master swordsmith, with Geralt doing the same.
"Bring it by the Chameleon later tonight, Dandelion had the idea of having a big bash there, come by and get yourself a drink, I'll make sure it's on the house, thanks again Eibear," Geralt said thankfully again, before the elf gave them both a bow.
"I'll be sure to stop by once it's ready, see you both in a couple of hours," The elf said, before looking down at the sword one last time, and returning quickly into his home.
She and Geralt both took this as their cue to head back. Ciri looked up and smiled at him before they both turned to started walking back towards the Chameleon.
A chilly breeze shot through her, but Ciri felt so warm them, that it didn't bother her at all. She had loved these moments in the previous few weeks, where she had felt like a giddy little girl again. In those moments, the moments she spent with Dominik, Geralt, and all of their friends, she felt what it was like to be a normal young woman. She wasn't a child of the elder blood, didn't have some great destiny, she simply was living her life, the people around her making it the life she had always dreamed of.
Dominik of course was a large reason for that, he had been making her feel that way, feel that intense, passionate love, the love that made her feel like she was a normal person since they were children. Of course there had been some boys and men she had been infatuate with as a young girl, Hjalmar being the most notable among them, however, it all changed when she met Dominik. Over the years of course there had been Mistle, more men and women both that she had been infatuated with for a short while, just like other than just Freya, she knew there had to be at least a few that Dominik had been infatuated with as well.
She had always known deep down however, that it was always going to be him. Ever since she first met him, even at eleven-years-old, while even if it wasn't romantic, he had made her feel special. When Ciri was around him, she wasn't a princess, didn't have to act prim and proper, Dominik didn't like playing with her because she was a princess, but because she was who she was, her own person, not all what the title said she was. It had started out as simple infatuation, a childhood crush. Dominik looked like just like his father Gregory even then, both being extremely handsome, handsome yes, but also extremely kind and compassionate, and Ciri simply felt safe when she was around them both. Gregory had promised her, all the time growing up, that one day she would meet her son, when the time was right.
And after that night on the balcony at that ball, the first time she had met him, she knew that what Gregory had always told her was true. She would always have Dominik with her, he'd always be there for her. And he was, even during the years they spent apart, his memory, the thoughts of him, the way he made her feel, it had been one of the driving forces to get her through all those dangerous times. She had wanted that life, the life that they always planned together.
They didn't want power; they didn't want to go and rule lands or work to gain more power for themselves. All she wanted, and she knew all he wanted, was to have their freedom, together, with their friends and family there, and now there was also Fiona as well, Dominik's child surprise.
No… their child surprise. It was only another thing on the list of things they would finally get when they dealt with the hunt, when they finally got that life they wanted. They could give Fiona the exciting, loving life that Geralt and Yen had given them while she grew up, and just like Geralt and Yen as well, they would always be there for her. The sight of Dominik, Fiona over his shoulder, the two of them pelting snow at each other, their laughs, the smiles on their faces, it brought one to Ciri's face then as they walked, the ring trembled, and she twirled it in her hands, her cheeks getting red as the thought had her heart fluttering.
However, their journeys with Fiona and their friends were a ways off, for that night, she'd make it about the two of them. She'd never be able to show him the extent of how much she loved him, how much he meant to her, but she would do everything she could.
And she would d belying if she said that over the previous few weeks, and the previous few years, she didn't imagine and dream about their first time together when it finally came. She was going to make it perfect, just like she always had promised.
But first, she needed to talk to Triss, the first one she had ever admitted her feelings for Dominik too. Yennefer was her mother, she loved the sorceress with everything she had, but just like Geralt, she assumed the idea of her and Dominik having sex would make her slightly uncomfortable, and she'd start fussing over them both. With everything already on her plate, Ciri didn't want to add that to her mothers list of worries. However, what Yen had said two days prior when she thought Ciri was pregnant, when in reality Ciri had simply worded her the news about Fiona wrong, was something that she had planned for when she was planning out the night for Dominik and her. She knew there had to be some kind of spell that could stop her from getting pregnant, so that no accidents happened.
That was the last thing she wanted to add to her and Dominik's list of problems.
"So… been meaning to talk to you actually," Geralt said, pulling her out of her thoughts.
She blinked a few times and looked back to her father, as they both were only a block or so away from the Chameleon now. The streets were slightly emptier, but Ciri made sure to keep her hood pulled up, as protection from guards and the cold wind. She met Geralt's eyes, and her stomach began to churn, she had seen the look in her father's eyes before, and it normally meant a serious talk.
Ciri sighed and bit the inside of her cheek. "And… why haven't you? You've seen me all day the last two days."
Geralt narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "Needed to talk to you… alone, without Dom around."
Her eyes widened, her face getting redder as she sighed and quickly shook her head. "Geralt look, you've known that we were going to have sex eventually basically our whole lives, I understand the thought makes you uncomfortable, but-."
"No… it isn't that," Geralt said, his tone lowering, as Ciri looked up and met his eyes.
She could see the wondering look in her father's eyes. She recognized the look he got when he wanted to talk about a serious topic. Ciri quite frankly wasn't in the mood for a serious talk, wanting to focus simply on the last night they all had there. However, she knew that Geralt wouldn't have that look in his eyes, unless it truly was serious.
Ciri carefully nodded as they walked. "Okay… then what is it?"
Geralt sighed and looked deep into her eyes. "So… you know how Avallac'h and I went to Tir'Nala? Met with Ge'els, brought him here to see Eredin poison the old king?"
All the warmth built up in her body dripped out of her like a leaky pipe.
"Yes…" She said, goosebumps traveling up and down her arms.
Geralt narrowed his eyes at her again. "When we got back here, Ge'els asked me if I really trusted Avallac'h. I don't, but I know we need to trust him to beat Eredin."
Her hand went up to the ring, squeezing it as Geralt loudly sighed, putting a soft hand on her shoulder, and pulling her to the side of the street. The two of them stopped between two buildings, and when Geralt looked back at her, his eyes softened. Despite it however, when Ciri met his eyes, she had to cross her arms to stop them from trembling, her one hand still held around the ring.
"He asked me if I even knew what Avallac'h did to you…" He said, sighing and reaching a handout onto her shoulder and looking softly into her eyes. "Ciri… why didn't you tell me and Yen?"
"I thought you would try to kill Avallac'h… and as much of an ass as he is… we need him," Ciri said, the cold wind suddenly chilling her bones to the core.
Geralt scoffed, his eyes suddenly growing hard. "You're lucky I've mastered the art of self-control over the last hundred years… even then, I almost cut his fucking throat right there."
"Did you tell Yen…" Ciri said, her voice smaller and lower.
"No, you kidding? She'll definitely kill him for it, without a second thought, doesn't matter what we need him for," Geralt said, crossing his arms as he sighed and slowly shook his head. "Ciri… you know I trust your intuition better than anyone… but how the hell could you have trusted him after that? I know for a fact you're not that naïve."
Ciri had asked herself that question multiple times over the previous few months traveling with Avallac'h.
'A pear in pig shit,', 'A diamond on the finger of a rotting corpse,', 'your repulsive human skin'.
The words had often played in her mind. Months upon months she was forced to hear them, over and over again, being degraded, forced to feel like trash on the side of the road. All of this, while she was promised salvation, promised to be able to go back to her world. However, the entire time, Eredin, Ge'els, and of course Avallac'h were planning on keeping her trapped their forever. Geralt was right, trusting someone who had done that to her before seemed like a foolish thing, especially since Ciri knew for a fact that even to that day, Avallac'h was using her for something. The sage didn't care about her, only the power in her blood, and what she could do for him.
She bit down on her bottom lip, gripping the ring tighter around her neck. The ring, she remembered looking at it every night while she was trapped there. It not only reminded her of Dominik, but of Geralt, Yennefer, their life in Ellander, that brilliant life she had missed so much. She had yearned for it, craved it, wanted that love, that feeling of safety and family back.
However, Avallac'h, Eredin, they had taken it from her, all under the guise of protection, telling her it was her 'destiny' to bare Auberon's children, to right Lara Dorren's mistake. The truth of the matter, however, was Lara Dorren had done nothing wrong, there was no mistake she made for Ciri to correct, and her destiny wasn't in Tir'Nala, her destiny was next to her, Geralt, Dominik, her family.
She looked and met Geralt's eyes, sighing and shaking her head. "I had no choice Geralt. I didn't trust him either, I still don't, why would I? But… as much as I hate to admit it… Eredin was on my heels, Avallac'h was the only chance I had for some form of protection, so that maybe I could learn control of my powers and could head back off by myself… maybe come back. He told me that he could help me… that one day I could control my powers, and maybe go back home…"
"He told you basically that exact same thing the first time you met didn't he?" Geralt said, his arms crossed as he looked at her.
Ciri sighed again, nodding as she met his gaze. "He did yeah… and I was a foolish little girl then to believe him. But this time… I needed him as much as I hate to admit it."
"You know he's using you Ciri, he isn't teaching you control of your powers for your own benefit, he wants something out of it, you're not naïve enough to think otherwise."
"You're right, I'm not. I'm well aware he wants something from me… just like he did back then," Ciri said, shaking her head, as her annoyance started to grow. "Bastard hasn't even apologized for it, doesn't think he did anything wrong. I know he has some plan… I don't know what it is, could be bad… could be nothing but, well…"
"We need him, if we want to eliminate the bigger threat…" Geralt said with a sigh, shaking his head. "I know you can take care of yourself… but if I see him making one move to harm you I'll-."
"I know… and I'm thankful for it," Ciri said, shakily sighing as she composed herself and looked down at the ring. "I… I spent months there… every day I was forced to go to his bed chamber… made me feel like nothing… gods it was horrible, my mind was in shambles afterwards… all because Avallac'h and Eredin sent me there, and wanted to keep me trapped…"
Geralt reached out, and put another hand on her shoulder, before pulling her in for a hug. Ciri shakily sighed and wrapped her arms up around him. The warmth his hug sent through her was reassuring, comforting, and as she always did around Geralt she felt safe, like nothing would ever harm her.
Her destiny, one of her destinies.
Her father pulled back, holding a hand on her shoulder a smile coming to his face. "You know… always said, you and Dom, you're the two strongest people I know."
Upon hearing Dominik's name her eyes widened, and her gaze darted up to him. "Dom… he… does he-."
"No he doesn't," Geralt said, shaking his head, before scoffing and crossing his arms. "You saw what he did to him two days ago. If he figured out about this… don't even think you'd be able to stop him from killing Avallac'h."
Ciri bit the inside of her cheek, it had been a debate inside her mind for weeks. She knew that she'd have to tell Dominik about what happened. She wouldn't keep something so huge, so scarring, so horrible that happened to her from him. However, it was as Geralt said, Ciri had been lucky she was able to stop him from killing Avallac'h after the news about Bella.
If he learned that Avallac'h had been the one to force her to Auberon's bedchamber… then she knew nothing would stop him from killing the elf.
"I know he would… but Geralt I… I have to tell him, I can't keep something like this from him, I won't lie to him about it," Ciri said, looking and meeting her father's eyes.
Geralt sighed and shook his head, "Ciri… you know I'd never advocate for that unless it was serious… and this is one of those times. It's just like why I won't tell Yen… you know how they both get; how protective they are."
"I do… to be honest it's one of the things I love about them both," She said, looking down at the ring around her neck again.
"Same with me… and hell, Avallac'h deserves it," Geralt admitted, crossing his arms and looking down at her. "But like you said, we need him as annoying as that is… so let's hold off telling Dom and Yen about this, for as long as we can."
Ciri bit her lip, the very idea sent uncomfortable tingles down her spine. However, she did remember Dominik saying he understood why she hadn't told him. Eredin had talked about it at the battle of Kaer Morhen, so Dominik knew Avallac'h had done something to her, and he understood why Ciri hadn't told him about it.
However, Ciri also knew she shouldn't give him any other reason than he already had for wanting to kill the sage. One of the things she loved most about Dominik truly was his protectiveness, he inherited it from Yen, Geralt and his parents. She loved it because it was the perfect balance of him letting her fight her own battles and being there when he needed to be. She had always safe around him, he gave her that feeling of safety and assurance. She was the same for him, it was what she believed made them feel like a perfect team. They cared, loved, and trusted each other with every bit of themselves.
She also firmly believed, that over the years he had been alone, Dominik became one of the most levelheaded people she knew, besides of course Geralt and other witchers. It was a contrast to herself, where she would admit many times she'd let her anger or annoyance get the better of her. Normally it was Dominik holding her back, it was something that she also appreciated greatly, knowing he was always there for her int hat sense as well.
In the previous few days however, the rolls had bene reversed, it was part of the reason she was so stunned by his anger a few days prior. It wasn't because he didn't have good reason, or that she believed he was in the wrong, but simply because she had never seen him in such a state.
And if he learned the truth about what Avallac'h did, Ciri knew she'd see an even worse rage. He would never harm her she knew, but she assumed he'd have no problem shoving her hand of his shoulder and cutting Avallach's throat for what he had done.
She sighed and met Geralt's gaze. "You're right… I love them for it, but I know how what he'd do…. But as soon as this is all over-."
"As soon as this is all over, the three of us will all sit down… and tell each other everything," Geralt promised, the sun glinting off his silver hair as he smiled. "We never really had the proper time… so once this is over, it's what we'll do."
A small smile came back to her face. That was something she had been wanting to do for the longest time, even after she had come back. She wanted to sit down, all of them, her, Dominik, Geralt, cups of wine, a fire, and simply tell what had happened. Geralt had known small bits of what happened to her after Thanedd, and Dominik did as well, but neither of them knew the full extent. There was so much she'd need to tell them both, and while she had started explaining bits to them, the whole entire story would need much more time, and a decent amount of wine if she was being honest.
Geralt and Dominik both as well, she wanted to hear everything. Geralt she knew had gathered a group of his friends to save her, she had again only heard small bits, but she wanted to hear more, why each of them came, what they were like. And then of course there was Dominik, who spent eight years on the Path of a witcher, starting at sixteen, because he had refused to stop looking for her for a moment. She had heard about some contracts of course, some of the leads he had followed, but she knew there were still dark moments, dark times that she hadn't heard about.
And when she finally sat down and heard the stories from both of them, she knew it would only increase her love for them both more.
She nodded, smiling up at Geralt. "That… sounds amazing… as soon as it's all over…"
Geralt smiled back at her, a hand going to her back as he gestured for them to move again. "Yeah… but let's just focus on tonight. Dandelion's planning on having a few people by, good wine, food, music, dancing… perfect opportunity for… well…"
"Geralt!" Ciri said, scoffing a smile, her face getting red as Geralt laugh. She heard him laugh and did the same, reaching and hugging around his shoulders again. "Thanks for coming with me…. I'm… really excited for him to see it."
He hugged her back, smiling at her while he did. "So am I… the two of you happy, safe… all I ever wanted. So… got anything else you need to do?"
Ciri's heart felt warm, as she pulled back and nodded. "Yes, I wanted to talk to Triss when we got back. She should still be there right?"
Geralt slightly narrowed his eyes and nodded. "She is… why do you ask?"
Her face got red again as she quickly shook her head. "I just… needed to ask her something is all. Come on, let's get going, I'm actually really looking forward to tonight."
Again, Geralt seemed to understand what she meant and sighed, nodded to her. "Lead the way."
The two of them both set back out towards the Chameleon again, which wasn't far from where they had stopped. Ciri despite the serious nature of the conversation they just had, simply couldn't stop the giddy smile from coming to her face. From her heart, all the way through her body she felt the excited tingling, like she was really a normal woman, looking forward to a night of drinking with her friends, spending the night with the man she was in love with. She told herself then and there, that she wouldn't think about anything else, anything other then that night she wanted to spend with Dominik.
And if anyone tried to make her think about anything other than that, she'd show her claws.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Um… guys?" Dominik asked oddly, gently twirling the ring around his neck, as Priscilla scoffed and shook her head over towards Dandelion.
"No! We can't not include a bit about their time in Ellander, it's critical to the story of them both falling in love!" Priscilla argued, her hands on her hips as they both stood up now.
Dandelion scoffed and shook his head. "Oh come on this isn't a play we're writing! We establish early on that they loved each other! Their time alone needs to be emphasized, so that the reunion is more emotional!"
"Dandelion… Priscilla, I really don't think it-." He tried again, but Pricilla cut him off again by scoffing and shaking her head.
She met Dandelion's gaze with wide eyes. "The love story is the crux of the song! The time alone won't feel like anything if we don't emphasize the time they spent together!"
"You didn't know them when they were kids, anyone who looked at them could tell that they loved each other," Dandelion said with a disagreeing shake of the head. "We need to make sure it flows correctly and-."
"You always do this!" Priscilla said, crossing her arms.
Dandelion scoffed. "Do what!?"
"Patronize me! I know what I'm talking about, the love needs to be emphasized," Priscilla said with another scoff and shake of her head. "Adding in a bit about their time in Ellander will also contextualize who they are! They fell in love and trained with Geralt and Yennefer!"
"But we also need to save room for everything up till now!" Dandelion argued back, as Dominik's eyes kept darting between the two of them. "The Battle of Kaer Morhen will take up a decent chunk as well, in case you didn't realize, Dominik fighting Eredin to save Ciri was a big deal!"
"You mean got my ass kicked by Eredin…" Dominik mumbled from his spot on the table, the scar running down his right cheek suddenly trembling.
Dominik had indeed told Dandelion and Priscilla the entire story. He began all the way back in Cintra, meeting Ciri on that balcony of Cintra's castle, the year they spent together before escaping the cities sack. Dandelion had been aghast to learn Cahir had been the one who killed Dominik's mother, and supposedly Bella, and tried to argue the man's good nature to him. Dominik however ignored it, and went on, telling them about he and Ciri's time on the run, before they both eventually found Geralt. He even told them both about the multiple conversations he had with Geralt on the way to Kaer Morhen.
He leaned back on the table and sighed, darting his eyes back and forth between Priscilla and Dandelion again as they argued, decided it best not to intervene at the moment, as the memories all came flooding back to him, helping him realize just how far they had come.
As his father was dying, Dominik would never forget the words to find Geralt of Rivia, to find Ciri, and then find the witcher. However, even after finding Geralt, Dominik had been hesitant to trust him right away, even with Ciri's assurances. Too many people had tried to kidnap her, to take her away, and with nightmares getting worse and worse every night, he slept very little on their trip to the witcher keep. Multiple nights he'd stay up with Geralt, simply eying the witcher and the fire, keeping watch over Ciri as she slept. In his hysteria at that age, a small part of him thought that if he did fall asleep, Geralt would take Ciri, and leave him there, that he'd lose her, the last person he had left.
One night when Dominik was awake, after not having slept for a good two to three days straight, he remembered being up around the fire, next to Ciri lightly snoring next to him. Geralt had almost scared him out of his shoes when the witcher came back with a few pieces of firewood, and that had been the first time Dominik ever had a proper conversation with him. Geralt had told him he should sleep, that the journey to Kaer Morhen was still days away, but Dominik had quickly responded that he didn't need sleep, and that he was alright, that he needed to look after Ciri.
"I'll make sure nothing, or nobody gets her," Geralt said. "And you as well, I'll look after you both."
"We looked after ourselves fine," Young Dominik snapped back. "I'm not going to ever let her be taken again… by anyone."
"You think I'm trying to take her?" Geralt said.
"I don't know, I just met you," Dominik said, his young eyes narrowing. "I could sleep, and then you'll take her away and leave me here… and I'll be alone again."
Geralt shook his head. "I'm here for you both, not just her."
"And you're saying you would have taken me, even if Ciri hadn't insisted I come?" Dominik said.
"I would have," Geralt said, shaking his head and meeting his eyes. "Wouldn't have left you alone there, and I don't think you would have let me."
"I wouldn't have! I would have chased you, caught you and got her back," Dominik quickly responded, looking over at a snoring Ciri next to him. "I… I'd do anything to keep her safe… she means more to me than anyone… especially now… now that everyone's dead…"
"I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry for?" Dominik said, his eyes tearing up, the thoughts of his father, mother and Bella all coming back to him. "I have Ciri still… I'll always have her, and she'll always have me."
"Yes… but you still lost your family," Geralt responded. "That type of loss hangs with you, eats at you, you won't forget that night for a long time."
"I don't want to forget!" Dominik snapped, his head shooting back to meet Geralt's eyes. "I'm going to make sure Ciri's safe, and then… and then I'm going to find that knight in the helmet… and I'm going to kill him for what he did to us both!"
Geralt slowly shook his head at him. "That's just your anger talking, you won't want to do that."
"And how would you know!? I don't know you, you don't know me, what I've been through, what me and Ciri have been through!" Young Dominik snapped again.
Geralt's yellow eyes softened as he shook his head. "Maybe not exactly no… but I know what it's like to be consumed by revenge, a thirst for vengeance. I've been through it myself; I've seen it tare men apart at the seams. It's a never-ending cycle. Let's say you find this knight in the winged helmet, and you do kill him, what then? What if he had a brother, a cousin that now wants revenge on you, and you have to fight even more? Let's even say you kill that next person that comes to avenge the knight, what will you do then? Do you think you'll be able to live your life after that? You won't. Because then you'll have to live with the knowledge that you killed a man who wrong you in no way at all.
No, no Dominik, you can't let yourself be consumed by anger and vengeance, no matter who it's directed at. You don't trust me? I can understand. You've been through much, you and Ciri both, lost much, and at every turn it seems that someone else is trying to capture or kill you both. You're young, and you're responding by lashing out, being mistrusting. This is a good thing later in life, it's smart to be careful who you trust. However, if as a person, you let hate, vengeance, anger and mistrust completely overtake you, then how will you ever move forward in life? You may not trust me… but do you have someone who you do trust?"
Dominik looked aghast at the witcher, before looking down at a sleeping Ciri. "I trust Ciri… more than anyone."
"That's good, you need that, you need that in life," Geralt said, looking deep into Dominik's young emerald eyes. "I understand, it may take a while, but I hope to not only gain your trust, but teach lessons that you'll remember a decade from now. And let this be one of them. Don't let yourself be overtaken by hatred, a thirst for revenge to the point where it stops you from being able to trust people. Because… if we lose our ability to trust and to believe in others, then we risk becoming less human then even the monster you'll learn about."
"I… I think I understand… my… my father always said, the true measure of a person, is the choices they make…" Young Dominik said, as he tried to suppress a yawn.
Geralt smiled at him and nodded. "Your father was a smart man…. A brave and honorable one as well."
"You… you met him before?" Dominik asked.
"I have yes…" Geralt said, slowly nodding and meeting Dominik's eyes. "And it may have been brief… but he taught me many things…. I think you'll grow to be just like him."
Young Dominik yawned again, looking down at a snoring Ciri, before looking back to Geralt again. "I… I think I'll sleep but… but just for a bit, after that, I can keep watch!"
Geralt laughed and smiled at him. "Alright… sound like a plan, rest now Dominik… I'll keep watch for now."
Dominik would never forget that night, that first conversation with Geralt. He had been thinking about it a lot the previous two days. It helped him realize, that he was teetering closer to that edge Geralt had been speaking about with revenge and anger. Two days prior, while he still held the belief that Avallac'h did in fact know about Bella, he had almost finally let his anger get the better of him. If not for Ciri, all of their plans would have been ruined, all the hard work towards gaining their life together would have been gone. He had wanted with every fiber of his being to kill the sage in that moment, but Ciri had been right in the end.
Their life, their future, him, Ciri and Fiona, that was more important then his anger at the sage. Besides, it made little difference now if the sage knew or not, because he was going to get Bella back, he knew it.
"Dom, did you hear us!?" Dandelion said, making him jump in the seat he was in.
Dominik let go of the swallow and looked over at the bard. "Um… all I heard was you two arguing, what is it?"
Priscilla glared and rolled her eyes ta Dandelion before looking to him. "We wanted to know, if you wanted us to include a part about the child surprise you and Ciri found, what was her name again?"
"Fiona," He said, a smile coming to her face as he could see the girl's excited eyes. "And let's hold off on that for now."
Dandelion's eyes widened and he shook his head. "But it's so poetic! We sing earlier in the song about Geralt and Yennefer raising you and Ciri both, and then you two go off to raise a child surprise yourself!"
Dominik rolled his own eyes at the bard. "As poetic as it is, I don't want any unwanted attention brought on her. Hold off on singing about her… do you two need me still? I still want to go and see Triss."
"What do you need to see Triss for?" Priscilla said, as Dominik finally stood from the stool.
He felt himself get slightly red. "Well… I have the song yeah, but well… I wanna get her something else. Something special, and I know Yen's busy keeping the sorceresses from killing each other, my friends are all hung over, Geralt's out with Ciri, and well… Triss was the first one I ever told I loved Ciri, thought it would be poetic as you put it."
Dominik would never forget that night. Ciri had confided in him, that she as well had told Triss that she had feelings for him. The sorceress came at a critical time in their lives, and he truly didn't know if he every would have had the confidence to kiss Ciri for the first time if not for the sorceress.
The first time that Ciri kissed him, the first time they kissed overall had of course been when she saved him from falling off the pendulums. However, as elated as he was she had kissed him after that, in the few days following, the two of them both had both been incredibly awkward around each other. He knew what it was now, the two of them had both of course wanted to kiss each other again, but the both of them were too incredibly nervous to do so. It was after one awkward dinner, and awkward hug before bed, that Dominik had finally broken down and went to Triss.
He asked the sorceress what she thought he should do, and Triss had laughed at him, telling to simply 'do it'.
"Just do it!? How in the world am I supposed to do that!?" Young Dominik said.
Triss laughed and shook her head. "Well… you go see her, you put your lips on hers, move them, and that's what we call-."
"Triss!" He cut her off.
Triss only laughed more as she looked down at him with a smile. "Alright, alright I'm sorry for the jokes… but I'm serious Dominik… you both kissed already right?"
"Yes…" Young Dominik said, fondly feeling his lips tingle.
"Exactly," Triss said, smiling and putting a hand on his shoulder. "You go to her, compliment her, give her a hug, and then… you just kiss her."
"But what if she doesn't kiss me back?" He asked nervously.
Triss rolled her eyes playfully. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that Dominik."
"And how do you know?" He asked her.
"I'm a sorceress… but also a woman, with eyes, and have been watching you both for months," She said, holding a hand on his shoulder and smiling. "I don't think she'll mind if you kiss her at all… now go on."
Young Dominik's eyes widened. "Now!?"
"Yes now, go on! I'll make sure nobody knows your out of bed, head to her room before she goes to sleep, hurry now!" Triss said, urging him out of her room.
Triss had indeed kept her word, and Dominik had done exactly what she said. He remembered his hands nervously shaking as he walked the few steps up towards Ciri's room that was above him. He had even stopped in front of her door, practicing what he was going to say, and finally worked up the courage to knock on Ciri's door, which was odd in its own right, because she had told him multiple times he didn't have to knock.
"Who is it?" Young Ciri asked from behind the door.
"Ciri it… it's me," Dominik said, followed by him hearing a scoff.
Ciri came and opened the door for him. She poked her head out, looked both ways down the steps, before quickly pulling him in her room. Young Dominik had blushed, seeing she was in just her trousers, and night gown, as she looked at him and laughed.
"Ha, I thought I told you that you didn't have to knock you stupid boy," She said, with a smile, before they both laughed.
Young Dominik bit his lip, before looking deep into her eyes. "Ha, sorry I… I just… needed to.. um… tell you something."
Ciri saw him looking at her like he always had, like she was the most beautiful person in the world. Her cheeks got slightly flustered, only inches from him already.
"Okay… what is it?" She asked him, her eyes widening.
Everything he had practiced before he knocked went completely out the door as he bit his bottom lip nervously.
"I… um… wanted to say that… today at um… um training, you… you… um…" He said, rubbing the back of his head.
"I… what?" Ciri said, her own face getting red as she looked at him.
Young Dominik shakily sighed and nervously laughed. "Ha.. you… you were… really good at well… that four step- half-turn combo Geralt showed us!"
He had rapidly spoke towards the end, his words jumbling. Upon hearing his words, he remembered looking at Ciri, and seeing her face slightly fall.
And when the sad look appeared on her face, just like it always did, he wanted to do everything to make her feel better. So, he took Triss's advice to heart.
Ciri bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. "Oh… um… well… thank you. You were good too… tomorrow do you want to-."
He kissed her yes, but it was the most awkward kiss certainly they ever shared. It lasted a second, and he almost missed her lips, kissing the corner of them. However, when Ciri felt it, she froze, her cheeks getting red, and Dominik right away felt his own face get red. He bit his lip and took a step back.
"I um… I'm sorry, I'm really, really sorry," He said, shaking his head as young Ciri still looked completely stunned. "I… I just thought… thought that well you would-."
"Dominik… you… you can kiss me again…" She cut him off, looking deep into his eyes, the red hue stretching all the way across her cheeks.
"I… I can?" He said, his own face hearing up.
Ciri nodded, stepping closer to him, her hands slowly going to his shoulder. "Ye…yeah… yeah you can…"
Dominik nodded as well, his small arms going around her waist, before leaning in and kissing her, properly that time.
After that had happened, they kissed for another minute or two, before Triss knocked at Ciri's door. The sorceress had simply smirked at them both, before telling Dominik he should get to bed. Neither of them had wanted to kiss in front of Triss, so they resigned to hugging one another, before Dominik had gone back to his room. He remembered being so elated, so happy with what happened, he hugged Triss before he entered his room, thanking her a hundred times over.
And now, over ten years later, he thought that it was, as Dandelion liked to call it 'poetic', that Triss help him find a gift for her, on the eve of their final quest.
Dandelion looked and nodded in understanding. "No problem at all. Priscilla and I will have this done soon, and as soon as Freya gets up, we'll start on dinner."
Dominik scoffed. "With how much she drunk last night… you may wanna try to get her up now."
Priscilla's eyes widened and she nodded in agreement. "Yes… you do have a good point. I never thought she'd be able to put so much back…"
Dominik and Dandelion both grimly nodded, remembering that Freya had almost drank Faram and George under the table the previous night. George and Faram were from Toussaint and Skellige, two places where wine and ale were practically a religion.
Priscilla jogged up the steps towards the room, and Dominik looked at the light streaming in through the door and windows. It was a few hours from sunset, and he was sure that between Triss and himself, they could find something for Ciri in sufficient time. Finding something for Ciri wasn't the only thing he needed to talk to Triss about however, he simply hadn't spoken to the sorceress as much as he would have liked since they had been back. He was so pre-occupied with what happened at Claywitch, Fiona, Bella, his anger at Avallac'h, that he hadn't taken the time to talk to her, or even Ida and Keira, who came at his request for more than a few moments.
He wondered however where Ciri could be. He knew of course that she didn't wish to spent every second together, however, he couldn't help but feel slightly left out that she and Geralt had gone off without him. However, the idea of setting up the perfect night for her when she got back spurred him on, and a smile came to his face, turning back to Dandelion, the idea in his head starting to formulate more.
"Dandelion do you… have extra candles?" He asked the bard.
Dandelion nodded, eyeing him curiously. "Yes I'm sure I could find some… why do you ask?"
"No reason!" Dominik said quickly, shaking his head. "No reason at all, Ciri and I were just… cold last night… and do you maybe… know a good florist in town?"
"A few yes…." The bard said, crossing his arms with a small smirk coming to his face.
Dominik's own face got red, but he trudged on. "Good… and um… what about sweets, chocolate, candy… oh and um… wine?"
The bard tried to contain himself but couldn't. Dandelion laughed; the smirk ever present on his face as he looked at Dominik wonderingly.
"Well, well, well… a song, a gift, candles, flowers, chocolate, wine…" The bard said, the smirking ever present. "Could it be that… you're planning… a bit more than just an exchange of gifts with Ciri this evening my young friend?"
"Shut up!" Dominik hissed, his face getting red as he shook his head. "That's none of your-."
"Hey! Excuse me, sorry but the inn is closed, did the both of you read the sign?" Dandelion said, coming up next to him, a hard tone coming to his voice.
Dominik wondered what had the bard in such a changed mood, but the voice he heard mad Dominik whirl around himself quickly as well.
"Kid said I could come by for drink for you know… saving his life and all," The slightly smug, playful tone rang in his ears.
Dominik scoffed a smiled shook his head as he finally turned. "Ha, Elise! No need to worry Dandelion she's a friend but… who's that with-."
Elise had showed up in all her glory, both sabers at her belt along with her crossbow, dressed in her black combat armor. Her frizzy red hair was tied tightly back in a bushy ponytail, and at first he saw only her, but soon someone else stepped up from behind her, making Elise smirk wildly as she looked back to them. He expected Elise to say something, but the person, who turned out to be a person Dominik knew as well spoke up.
"I… do apologize for the intrusion on your fine establishment master Dandelion," The now sole ruler of Redania said, a smile coming to her face at the stunned looks on both Dominik and Dandelion's faces. "However, I did hear great things, and well… I'm quite thirsty, I'd love to have a cup of wine before the long treck back to Tretogor."
"Adda!? I mean… um… your majesty," Dominik said, hastily bowing, with a stunned Dandelion doing the same next to him.
The bard quickly shook his head, meeting Adda's eyes. "Your majesty, forgive my rudeness, if I knew it was you I would never have-."
Adda laughed, throwing her own red hair behind her head, waving the comment off.
"Oh it's no trouble at all, I should be the one apologizing. My father always told me I had a flare for the dramatic," The Queen said, smiling and turning to meet Dominik's eyes. "Dominik… it's good to see you again. I'm glad you seem to be recovered well, Elise told me quite the story of what happened at Kaer Morhen, and two days ago."
Dominik looked deep into Adda's brown eyes, and he saw the genuine nature of her comment. Seeing Adda with Elise dutifully behind her however, speaking of Kaer Morhen, it reminded him of Arno, and suddenly the crossbow at his waist felt heavy. He remembered that no matter if he believed he could truly trust the Queen yet; she was still a reason he and Ciri were both alive.
If Adda hadn't sent Arno, Arno never would have been able to make that sacrifice for him and Ciri. She also remembered what Elise had said, that Arno had been protecting Adda since the first time her curse was lifted, that they were good friends. So Dominik gave her a small bow.
Along with all of this, owing her in the end, Dominik knew that Adda still had wanted his aid. The woman in front of him now, was currently the second most powerful person politically on the continent, so he knew it wouldn't be smart to make an enemy of her. Despite what Elise had told him, about Adda being different, he had met too many rulers, seen too many let power and control get to their head, that he couldn't not keep his guard up. Her husband had just been assassinated, and she was the one who orchestrated it, her husband had been one of those crazed rulers, and while she seemed calm and composed now, she knew that was how most turned out.
Queen Calanthe would always be the greatest ruler he ever had known. It could be just because he knew her personally, but Dominik truly believed it. She was hard on her enemies, but kind and caring to the ones she cared about. She was a fair and just in her rule, and what Dominik thought every ruler should strive to be.
'Still keeping an eye on Ciri for me?' She would always ask him that question, before ruffling his hair, and smiling at him.
Ciri as well was something he needed to think about. While the idea of helping Adda tear down everything Emhyr had built was appealing, it would be up to Ciri what they did. Of course as well, he had to consider Fiona as well, he wouldn't go about bringing her into a war. To top it all off, the more he associated himself with Adda, the more likely Nilfgaard would figure out. After everything was over, Ciri, Geralt, Yen and he all planned on hiding her from the Emperor, which he knew would be easy enough with them traveling. However, that could be compromised if he wasn't careful what he agreed and didn't agree to help Adda with.
Because, whether the new Queen was genuinely worried about his wellbeing or not, he knew that was what she was there for.
He bowed to Adda and rose to meet her eyes. "It's good to see you as well your majesty… and well, I have to thank you. If not for Elise I'd have died and… if not for.. Arno, I'd be dead as well."
At the mention of Arno, Adda finally faltered, her gaze going to the floor for a moment, as behind her he heard Elise shakily inhale. The Queen recovered first, meeting his eyes and grimly nodded. She was wearing near the same thing she had worn when Dominik first met her. A long red dress, brown gloves and a black hood that she had pulled down around her shoulders. Her red hair shone in the sunlight streaming in as she sighed.
"Yes… I share in your sentiment, I'm glad I sent them as well," Adda said, composing herself and meeting his eyes again. "As I am sure you're aware… things are changing Dominik of Cintra. I must return to Tretogor, and well I was hoping that we could speak one last time privately, before we both leave on… much bigger journeys."
Dominik looked to Dandelion, who slowly nodded at him, before bowing to Adda and returning towards the bar. He turned back to Adda, seeing that Elise had come up next to her as well, and he slowly nodded with another bow.
"Of course," He said, looking and meeting her eyes. "I… assume Elise has told you what Geralt and I are doing next?"
Adda nodded. "She has yes…. And I promise I won't try to sway you from that goal… I simply wish for the same thing I asked when we first met. Simply a moment of your time. I won't be asking you to make any commitments… I simply ask you listen."
The Queen spoke with such composure and grace, he felt the need to bow again. However, he stood tall, knowing that he owed Adda that much, and wanted to do that much as well.
"I can do that yes…" He said with a nod, gesturing towards the stairs leading up. "I have a room upstairs."
Adda smiled and turned to Elise. "Elise, would you mind bringing some wine for the three of us?"
"Of course your majesty," Elise said dutifully bowing, before Adda scoffed.
"Elise, how many times do I need to tell you, that you don't have to call me that when others aren't around?" The Queen said, a genuine smile seeming to come to her face.
Elise laughed and smirked. "Force of habit, I'll meet you both up there."
Elise went off towards the bar, and Dominik turned to Adda, a small smile coming to his face.
"You let people call you by your name?" He said.
Adda scoffed a smile. "Well our names are given to us so we can be called them correct? You can call me Adda as well if you'd like, 'your majesty' gets grating to hear after a while."
He genuinely laughed and nodded. "Ha… Ciri was the same way back in Cintra… I want you to know before we start talking… that we're a package deal now. I don't only have myself, but her to think about as well."
And to his complete surprise, Adda didn't get angry, or raise her voice. She simply smiled and nodded to him.
"I understand, I give you my word to respect your decision," She said, before her smile grew wider. "I also must say, you and your Cirilla are quite adorable, nothing is more precious than two young people in love."
"You aren't that much older than us yourself are you?" Dominik said, a small smile coming to his face as well.
Adda scoffed a laugh. "Never ask a woman to mention her age Dominik of Cintra… come, I hope soon… that you'll see me for who I truly am."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"So… I've been meaning to ask," Dominik said, holding the cup of wine in his hands as he met Adda's eyes. "How is it you've been in Novigrad so much? Shouldn't you be in Tretogor since Radovid was busy here?"
Adda smirked, sipping a bit of the wine she had before meeting his gaze again. "A simple enough process. The nobles back in Tretogor believe me to be in Kovir, trying to convince King Tankred to join in our struggle against Nilfgaard."
"Kovir and Poviss have been neutral this whole time," He said.
"Yes… and my husband wanted that to change," Adda informed him, sighing and shaking her head. "As much as I loathed him… and know it was for the best… a small part of me is upset it had to come to this."
Dominik scoffed, and heard Elise, who was sitting in one of Ciri and he's spare chairs near the door with a mug in her hands as well. After getting the wine form Dandelion, he, Adda and Elise all had retired up to he and Ciri's room. The rays of sun pierced in through their window, as Adda, who he expected to sit with proper posture, regally one of his chairs, or even remain standing the entire time, right away sat and leaned back on his bed, the woman sighing and yawning as if the situation were perfectly normal.
At first he had thought it odd, but after a moment found it refreshing, because he too wasn't one for all the royal formalities. It had felt to Dominik in that moment, that he, Adda and Elise were simply three people having a normal conversation, not one that could pertain to the future of the continent.
Seeing Adda had taken off her black cloak and knowing that he more than likely wouldn't have to fight the rest of the day, took his own armor off as well. He kept Fate in its sheath near him, just in case, but he decided that he was going to be comfortable for the rest of the day.
He met Adda's eyes and shook his head in disbelief. "Radovid was a madman, power hungry, ruined the few good things about the North… got what was coming to him."
"He did yes… he was base, cruel, vile, he spread nothing but prejudice and hate the continent is a safer place without him," Adda said, looking down into her mug of wine and sighing. "But… he was my husband whether I liked it or not… and I already have a… reputation I wish to be shirking… being involved in his assassination does nothing to change that like I want…"
Elise sighed and shook her head, scooting her chair closer to them. "Adda we've been over this, nobody suspects a thing, everyone thinks you've been in Kovir, everyone will think it's Eilhart extracting her revenge."
Adda's eyes fell as she looked at Elise and shook her head. "Yes, nobody suspects me… but I must live with the fact I'm a regicide for the rest of my life."
"But it was Eilhart who killed him," Elise assured her, shaking her head, reaching out and holding a hand on the Queen's arm. "And believe me, she didn't feel any sympathy, everyone will believe it's just her getting her-."
"Yes Elise, but that also doesn't help my goals at all," Adda snapped, sighing in frustration and standing up from the bed, pacing in the room. "Eilhart killing him, will only serve as a rallying cry for his staunchest supporters… they'll believe he truly was right.. that magic and mages are evil… the true enemy."
"The north has thought that for years…" Dominik said, his stomach churning as he looked up at Adda. "Elise told me you want a better continent for everyone… but I hate to tell you, it won't be easy trying to convince the North to simply change their prejudices after so many years of hatred. Been in the North for years, two things they hate that will never change, the Black Ones… and non-humans… seems like you can add mages to the list as well."
Adda fiercely shook her head and met his eyes. "Is that truly okay with you? With the both of you? Is that the Northern Realms you truly wish to live in? A place where people are judged off the color of their skin, circumstances of their birth, or whether they can use magic or not?"
"You know I'm with you Adda, but Dominik's got a point, I'll fight for you till my dying breath… but it won't be easy to change years of prejudice," Elise said, leaning back in her chair.
Dominik nodded in agreement, meeting the Queen's eyes. "She's right. People have tried… and it'll take more than just a few speeches to change people's minds."
"And you're exactly right about that Dominik," Adda said sharply, turning back to him, holding both her hands around the mug of wine as she met his eyes. "Actions speak louder than words, and nothing unites people like a common goal… you fought at the Battle of Brenna did you not?"
His eyes widened and he shook his head, standing up as well. "How the hell did you…. Fucking Dijkstra…"
Adda smirked and nodded. "Yes… some of his workers… overheard you mention you fought in the battle when you were there that day we first met."
"Should have fucking known…" He said, sighing and shaking his head as he met the Queen's eyes. "But yes, I fought in the Battle of Brenna, what's that have to do with your point?"
The Battle of Brenna was something Dominik had truly wanted to forget. However, for a moment he was more worried about what else Dijkstra's workers 'overhead' him and his friends talk about. In the end however, it didn't matter. Dijkstra more than likely already knew that Geralt and he were looking for Ciri, that the Emperor was looking for his daughter.
In the end it wouldn't matter, if he and Ciri wanted to disappear they would after it was all over.
Adda was continuing to surprise him. She spoke so passionately about what she wanted, that Dominik was almost inclined to believe her. However, when she spoke again, was when Dominik saw her claws come out, the fiery side of the queen, the determination that made him believe, that perhaps she would be able to stand toe to toe with the Emperor.
"At the Battle of Brenna, I'm sure you're aware, on the other side… fought bands of Scoitael. Elves who Emhyr had promised their own lands," Adda said slowly, sipping more of her wine again before she narrowed her eyes. "And like the degenerate he is… he went back on his word years later, the same thing happened recently with the band Geralt and Roche clashed with in Flotsam."
"Iorveth… one of the most infamous leaders they had," Dominik said, remembering the story that Geralt had explained to him. "They worked with the witcher who helped kill your father, but Emhyr turned on them, just like he did that witcher."
"Exactly," Adda hissed, shaking her head, placing the mug of wine down on the table in his room as she paced. "Emhyr, is the source of this conflict…. From what Elise tells me, and from grumblings I've heard, many of the nobles are seeking to depose him, they want an end to this war as well… but his vanity keeps pushing him forward… and to save himself, but also assure his blood still rules over the entire continent…."
"That's why he wants to abdicate to Ciri," Dominik finished, his eyes narrowing as he fiercely shook his head. "I'm sorry but that's not happening. Ciri's already told me she doesn't want anything to do with Emhyr or being Empress. After this is all over, the two of us are going off ourselves…"
Adda looked and met his eyes, gently shaking her head at his slightly aggressive tone. "And you have nothing to fear from me. I won't use this knowledge for any plots or schemes… Cirilla had been through much, you've been through much, I won't use people the way my husband did, the way Emhyr does… you know, I remember meeting her once when I was younger."
Dominik breathed out a sigh of relief, his beating heart finally calming as he met Adda's eyes. That had been one of his biggest fears, that Adda would use the knowledge of Ciri to try and lure Emhyr into a trap, or worse, try to take Ciri for herself, to have the heir to the imperial throne in her possession. However, even with Adda's assurance, he made sure to keep his guard up. Everything Adda had been saying so far, he truly believed as well. A continent where humans, non-humans, and mages could all live-in peace, where everything Emhyr had built was ripped to the ground, it sounded as if he and Adda should get along great.
However, too many times had he fell for the same song and dance over his years alone. He had heard about a lord rallying against the Black Ones, or that would swear to bring peace between humans and non-humans. And each time he had been fooled. He had seen too many rulers go mad, too many get his hopes up too high again. He didn't only have himself to think about, but Ciri as well, and now there was also Fiona to think of.
He met Adda's eyes and shook his head. "If you met her then… you probably met my father."
Adda smiled and nodded. "I did yes, the famous Sir Gregory, just as handsome as they said…. And of course there was Ciri, she was younger, but still… the thought of that poor girl, being tossed around like a piece of meat, pulled one way or another…. Elise mentioned how she was lost for a time… I shudder to think what happened to her… so no. I won't be like Emhyr, try to use her to save my own arse, I won't burn her at the stake for having magic that was completely out of her control like my husband would have…. I won't worsen her suffering; I will be different…"
Again, it was everything Dominik wanted to hear, so much so that he was taken aback. He looked over at Elise sitting down below him, and she smirked, as if the red head were saying 'See, I told you so.' He looked back to Adda, who's determined eyes were dripping the truth. While he didn't have the ability to hear heartbeats like Geralt did to tell if someone was lying, he had considered himself a great judge of character, it had taken him years, but in that moment he considered himself excellent at it.
And when he looked at Adda, he believed he was telling the truth, however, one question kept eating at him.
"I… thank you for that… you're right, too many people have used her, I won't let that be the case, never again," He said, shaking his head, before meeting her gaze. "But… I need to know… what is it you want from me, and well, from me and Ciri now?"
Adda straightened herself. "I need someone, who shares the same hatred for Emhyr as I do, who loathes him even more than I do. As I said, there is no better way to unite people, then through a common goal, and who would be one person that both humans, and non-humans hate? The Black Ones, Emhyr himself, the man who's brought about all this strife."
"I hate to tell you, but humans and non-humans have been at each other's throats since well before Emhyr's time.." Dominik said.
"Yes, I'm aware, but this current generation, is still feeling the effects of two wars that he started all for his own vanity and power," Adda snapped back at him. "He's wronged humans, non-humans, and even mages. Nilfgaard claims to give them 'freedom', but you know as well as I, freedom for mages in Nilfgaard include a dimeritium collar stuck around their neck."
"And you think their hatred for Emhyr is enough to erase years of prejudice and hatred? Before the Scoitael joined Emhyr, they had fought for years with the North," Dominik said, again remembering the stories Geralt told him. "You expect that to just be forgotten? You want to unite them against Emhyr?"
"I do yes… and that's why I'm asking for your help," Adda said, her voice growing softer as she shook her head. "I have my reasons to hate Emhyr yes, he ordered my father killed for his invasion. But you? You and Ciri… he took everything from you both. He burned Cintra to the ground… and from what I heard, he hunted Ciri for years afterwards."
Dominik felt his skin tingle, as the night came flashing into his mind. He heard the yelling, saw the blood, the arrow from Cahir hitting his mother, and then Bella. He saw his dream from earlier, his sister awaking, the Black Ones about to take her away. Yes, Emhyr had taken everything from Ciri and he, destroyed everything that they had known, and forced them onto the run, before Emhyr chased Ciri for years afterwards… all while he couldn't find her himself.
Adda knew exactly what to say to tug on his heartstrings, to get his emotions in a flux. He would have wanted nothing more then but his sword through Emhyr's throat. Adda was right, the man had started two wars, all for his own vanity and power. The one that was going on now, had been unprovoked, the North hadn't done anything, but Emhyr simply wanted more, so they had attacked, but made sure to destabilize the realms by ordering King's assassinated. Now, he was finally pissing off enough of the nobles back in his mainland, and they were seeking to depose him, to end the war. He felt the tiniest bit of sympathy for the ones in Nilfgaard who wanted the war to end, but Emhyr's vanity was keeping that from happening. Now, with Emhyr knowing the nobles were planning this, wanted to give the throne to Ciri, so she could come in and right all of his mistakes, so that he could save his own hide. He cared not for her, or for the good of the continent, only himself, and his own power.
And the first war he started, the one he started by sacking Cintra… was to get Ciri. It was to rape and impregnate his daughter, to force her to marry him. He stood by what he said, that if he was even in the same room as Emhyr Var Emrys again, Dominik was going to kill him. Whether it was a sword through the heart, casting Igni to set the man alight, or strangling him with his bare hands while the man was taking a shit. One day. Dominik was going to make sure he died, he didn't know how, but one day… he would. What Emhyr had done, would come back to haunt him.
Adda it seemed, wanted to make that a reality. Dominik did as well, more than anything he would have loved putting a dagger into Emhyr's neck. He even believed Ciri could get behind the idea if he told her about it, she had already told him that if he wanted to go and help Adda, then they would. However, he knew that if he brought Ciri too close to Nilfgaardean lands, then there was a bigger chance that she'd be noticed, and even the two of them weren't strong enough to fight off the entirety of the Empire. Ciri would be taken, he'd be killed.
And nothing, not even his want for revenge was enough for him to take that risk, unless they were absolutely sure that they would both be safe.
Dominik sighed and met Adda's eyes. "He did take everything from me… he even ordered me, my father, my mother and sister hunted down in Cintra. Only I escaped… me and Ciri, and for years… he did chase her… and probably will after we deal with the Hunt as well."
Adda nodded again, grimly smiling at him. "And you'll do everything to keep her safe, this I know…. I understand the personal risk it puts you both at, but I believe that you have the ability to inspire. Elise… told me about Kaer Morhen. As much as you may not believe it Dominik… you're a powerful speaker, you can inspire, lead like both Geralt and Sir Gregory could… you stopped Arno and Elise from murdering the man who killed my father."
His eyes widened and he shook his head. "I'm sorry, but Letho was tricked just as much as we all were by Emhyr, and in the moment, we needed to band together and-."
"Just like we must band together now…" Adda said, cutting him off, and sighing as she met his eyes. "As much as I don't like to admit it…unless all of us, humans, non-humans, mages, Skelligers, northerners, unless we can all band together… we're all going to be crushed under Emhyr. Nilfgaard claims they let 'vassal states', keep their own government, their own customs… but when you were in Vizima… or even in Velen… how many white lilies did you see?"
A cold chill cooled his skin, as he sat back down next to Elise and shook his head. "None… and in Vizima, he was taking all the lilies down…"
"Exactly!" Adda snapped, her nostrils flaring. "And even in kingdoms that have been 'vassal states' for longer, Toussaint, Cintra, they govern themselves for the most part yes… but those decisions must be in favor of the empire, not their own people! They fly lion banners in Cintra yes, but do you what they're dwarfed by? That fucking golden sun. No, I will not allow the North to be put in indentured servitude. It's as I told you Dominik… I swear, I will not stop until either I'm killed, or until I pushed Emhyr back south of the Yaruga, Aedirn, Cintra, Lyria and Rivia… Temaria, will all be free once again!"
Elise smirked from next to him. "And we want your help for that kid. Come on, you can't tell me you don't want to stick it to that fucker!"
Dominik did 'want to stick it to that fucker'. The idea of a free Cintra, one that flew the golden lions again, that knew what it was truly like to be Cintran, it was something he had dreamed of from the minute that he and Ciri both set foot outside the city.
He looked and met Adda's eyes. "If you do… I hope you don't expect Ciri to become Empress of Nilfgaard, or Queen of Cintra… that ship's sailed…. And I hope you know… we're not soldiers, we're witchers."
Adda nodded in understanding, the sun gleaming over her brown eyes. "I understand this, and I understand that after so many years of fighting, that the two of you… may not be eager to get involved in something like this."
"You're right…. Besides, as much as I hate Emhyr, as much as I hope you're successful with saying what you want to do…" Dominik said, sighing as he fiddled with the swallow around his neck, closing his eyes for a moment before he met Adda's eyes. "It's going to be up to Ciri what we do. For too long, people have been chasing her, trying to take her, control her, tell her what she should be doing, trying to force her into things… not anymore. After this is done, she'll have control of her own life for once, and she will choose what she wants to do, and I'll be right by her side."
A silence passed between them for a moment. He expected Adda again to get angry, invoke Arno's name, tell her that he owed her for that, that he owed Arno that much. Or he expected her to possible try and hold the information about Ciri over his head. She was a Queen; she could order him to do whatever she liked. He wouldn't obey of course if she did, but it was what he had come to expect out of most rulers he met.
Outside the sun continued to get lower, his goal of focusing solely on he and Ciri's night together wasn't going well, but he knew the conversation with Adda was important. It concerned their future, his, Ciri's and even Fiona's now. And again, hearing Adda's words, finally hearing someone who had helped them so much already, say things he had wanted to hear from so many over the years, a part of him did truly want to help her. A much larger part of him however, wanted Ciri to have her choice, and for the two of them to simply go off and avoid everything and anyone, with Fiona by their side, training her, seeing every part of the continent like they had always wanted.
He looked over to Elise, who had stood up next to Adda across him, seeming to realize that the conversation was coming to a close. She and Adda both knew what Dominik would say, they had too, Elise in particular. Why she wasn't angry, demanding things of him, he just couldn't wrap his head around it. From what Geralt had said, Adda was out for power in Vizima when his father saw her last, before curing her curse a second time. However, in the span of the last month or two, Adda had been nothing but kind and courteous to him. Elsie and Arno, her friends had both saved his, he trusted them, and both had spoken her praises to him. Dominik knew that if he really asked Ciri, that she would more then likely say yes, that they could go and help Adda, however he had no desire to put her in any additional danger.
Dominik had always believed simply in the power of destiny, of chance. It was his destiny to meet Ciri, to be with her, to protect her. Fiona was his destiny, it had led him and Ciri both back to Claywitch, where he had felt the connection straight away, just like he had with Ciri. It wasn't just going to be him anymore, if it had been, he would've gone to help Adda damn the consequences. However, that wasn't what he wanted anymore. All he wanted was Ciri, her, Fiona, their family, their friends, and the life they had always dreamed.
He also scoffed at the idea of him being able to inspire. Convincing Elise, Roche and Arno not to kill Letho at Kaer Morhen hadn't been easy, but it was another thing to try and erase years of fierce prejudice. Cintra, thanks to Dominik's father influencing Queen Calanthe, had become one of the most progressive kingdoms on the continent. Men, women, all were allowed to serve under his command. His father had told him about fighting Scoitael before, how he offered mercy to all who surrendered, and always tried to end the conflicts without bloodshed. Dominik had always asked him why he did that, and his father had given a response, that he always carried with him.
"Why should I hate them? This was there land first; us humans were the ones to come and take it from them. I believe they'd have a right to be angry, and if I were to execute them, kill them without a second thought, then I become exactly what they say that I am. And it's the same thing in reverse. Why should they be mad at me? I wasn't the one who took over their homeland centuries ago, why should they hate me, and try to kill me for it?
It's because I'm human, my ears aren't pointed. But I believe, and your grandfather believed, that it's the content of one's character that determines who they are. It matters not if you're human or non-human, we're all on this continent now, it matters not how we got here, where we came from, all that matters is that we're here now. And if we keep perpetuating a cycle of violence like we have been, what will that achieve? Thousands upon thousands of humans and non-humans both dead, with the one remaining standing at the top of mountain of corpses, alone, wondering if it was all worth it. It may be small, but offering mercy, trying to avoid conflicts without bloodshed, is a step towards what is hopefully world where we judge off the content of one's character. Again, it may seem small, insignificant what I do… but it has to start somewhere, so why shouldn't it be me?"
The more he thought about the things his father taught him, the more he wished that he had been alive to meet Geralt again. Dominik never thought he would ever be even half the man Geralt, and his father both were. He tried every day to do things that would make them both proud, and he hoped that he could carry their lessons with him, and pass them to not only Fiona, but everyone he met for a long time. However, the idea of himself, being able to end that cycle of perpetual violence, to achieve Adda's goal, the idea was ridiculous. Either way however, the Queen still smiled at him, despite his refusal at the moment.
She bowed to him and nodded. "I understand, and as I promised, I won't try to pressure you. You're looking out for the one you love. Doing what you believe is best for them, and I respect that…. I do hope however, again… that this isn't the last we see of each other."
Dominik didn't mean to, but a scoff escaped him, and he shook his head. "Thank you… please… don't take this the wrong way but how are you so… calm about this? You could order me to help you, tell me I owe you. I could have just thrown your plans into jeopardy but you just… don't seem to care."
Adda shared a smile with Elise, before turning to him and laughing. "Aha… I take it that's what you have come to expect from most rulers?"
"Most that I meet yes…" Dominik said.
She laughed again. "Answer me this Dominik… who is the best ruler that you've ever known?"
"Queen Calanthe," He said without a second thought. "She was hard on her enemies, but just, kind, and cared about every single one of the people she ruled… every ruler should strive to be like her."
Adda smiled and nodded. "Yes… she made Cintra the jewel of the North….. I mean no disrespect to her memory… but you do know what led to her downfall, correct?"
His skin crawled, and he sighed. The truth of the matter was that he did. Geralt had told him about what had happened, Queen Calanthe refused to let Geralt see Ciri. She refused the aid of any who offered help and didn't react to the Nilfgaardeans fast enough. A spy was in her court yes, Dominik had suspected for years it was Visegard, however, no matter who it was, he still wasn't blind to Calanthe's faults, no matter how much he had loved Ciri's grandmother.
He met Adda's eyes and sighed again. "Yes… she was stubborn, refused aid… I'm not blind to her faults."
Adda nodded grimly. "I have faults myself, that I've been trying to correct. Every ruler does, none is perfect, but I learn things from everyone I encountered. Learn things to do and not to do. I learn from Emhyr, I learned from my husband, my father, Calanthe, King Tankred, Queen Meve of Lyria and RIvia, King Henselt of Kaedwen… and I'm determined to be better than all of them."
"That's… a tall task," Dominik said. "Your father helped fight back the Black Ones, Radovid was an ass but Emhyr would have the continent by now if not for him. Queen Calanthe as you said made Cintra the envy of the North, Queen Meve took back her entire kingdom from the Black Ones…. Tough acts to follow."
"It is yes, I know…. I'm aware you know Dominik, I'm sure Geralt had told you, that… I used to be a much different person," Adda said, folding her hands in front of him.
He nodded and met her eyes. "Yes… he told me about what happened with the Salamandra…"
Adda shakily sighed, seeming to lose her composure shortly. "Yes, I am… not proud of this, of how I was, the way I acted…. And what did it get me? My worst nightmare… I was transformed again into a monster."
Elise put a hand on Adda's shoulder, and Dominik said the Queen get slightly flustered for a moment, before looking at her thankfully and smiling. The sun reflected off their red hair, as Adda slowly sighed and turned back to him.
"But… thanks to Geralt, I was given a second chance, a chance to do things differently," Adda said, sighing to compose herself again. "I was excited when I first married Radovid, I thought I could help him make a difference… but I was wrong. He did nothing but use to help rally Temaria to him after my father's death, before pushing me aside. All suggestions I made, plans I laid out… shoved to the side. I was forced to be the quiet dutiful wife, and for a while I was… I sat back, watching him turn the North into a haven of hatred and prejudice… all while he dreamed of a great northern empire, taking away the freedom that made the Northern realms what they were…."
"Yes…. He really was quite the fucking cunt wasn't he?" Elise said, making Adda and Dominik both snort a laugh.
Adda laughed joyfully, and again, Dominik for a moment saw not a ruler, but a normal woman, with real emotions and dreams.
She finished laughing and look at him again. "My point being Dominik… I want to be different then my husband. I won't fearmonger to get people to follow me, I'll treat them with respect, and kindness when I can. I could try and order you to help me… but what would that make you think of me? You'd get angry, more than likely not even listen, and then go about hating me for it."
"You wouldn't be wrong no…" Dominik said, crossing his arms as the sun from the window hit the back of his neck.
Adda nodded again. "Exactly… I was once as cutthroat as my husband… but I will be different. And I hope that my kindness, and respect one day pay off…. I wish to be remembered as a good ruler… but an even better person."
Dominik was taken aback; he shakily scoffed and shook his head in disbelief. It only made Adda and Elise both smile as well. Adda was right, her attitude wasn't one he had come to expect of rulers he met. For a moment he was worried people would simply walk over the Queen, however, he remembered the fierceness in which she had spoken about Emhyr, about her dreams of pushing the Black Ones back. No, Dominik had seen the Queen's claws, how she could fight back herself, nobody would be walking over Queen Adda of Redania.
And Dominik hoped she went and walked over Emhyr. However, all he was focused on then, was Ciri, and the fact the Queen understood that in itself, said much about her character. Remembering all the proper etiquette, he bowed to the Queen, and again like she had been doing, Adda bowed back to him, like he was her equal.
He came back up, and nodded, reaching out his hand. "Thank you… for your understanding…. I think your approach is one more rulers should consider… and I never said it but… congratulations."
Adda smiled broadly and Elise smirked at him. Adda reached and firmly shook his hand as well, looking deep into his eyes. "Thank you… but now is where the real work begins…. As it does for you. I have incredible respect for you Dominik of Cintra… I can't think of many men who would fight the King of the Wild Hunt for the woman they loved."
Dominik scoffed a smile and looked over to Elise. "I take it Elise told you then… it wasn't anything special, I was just protecting Ciri… like I always will."
Elise rolled her eyes, shaking Dominik's hand as well. "Oh come off it kid, it's a big fucking deal all right. Fought the King and lived to tell the tale…and next time I think you'll kill the fucker."
"I hope so… I need to thank you both for your help," He said, before his heart thumped loudly in his chest as he met Adda's gaze again. "And I… I'm sorry… about Arno."
To his right Elise stiffened slightly, shakily sighing and closing her eyes, her hand going to the hilt of the man's saber at her belt. He watched curiously again as Adda held a hand on Elise's shoulder, and a slightly flustered Elise quickly sighed and was calmed before she met Adda's eyes and nodded.
Adda smiled grimly and nodded, looking back to him. "Yes… Elise told me what happened. Arno he… he was a good soldier… and an even better friend, and I'll miss him dearly… but it does give me some solace knowing his sacrifice was for something greater… and I know now that the threat we face is true."
"It is…" Dominik said, looking between Adda and Elise both and shaking his head. "I won't let his sacrifice be in vein… I swear it… I owe you both my life and Ciri's."
Adda smiled lightly and shook her head. "You owe me nothing… I would have sent more help if I knew it was really true…. I would send you aid now were I in a position. I even asked Elise if she would go with you but… she's being her normal stubborn self."
"Oh you love it," Elise smirked at Adda, before turning to him. "I'm sorry kid, you know I'd love nothing more than to help you blow those icy fucks to hell but… I can't leave her now."
"I can take care of myself you know," Adda said with a hint of amusement, as she smiled up at Elise. "Your protectiveness is incredibly sweet, but I assured you I'd be fine."
Elise whirled back to her. "And I told you that I don't trust any of those cunts around you fully. Won't let you go back to Tretogor alone!"
Adda got flustered again, and Dominik saw her unable to form words for a moment before she sighed and turned back to him.
"Elise… has a point. I must apologize again, I would send help if I could," Adda told him, and Dominik quickly shook his head.
"You don't need to apologize, I understand," Dominik said, quickly shaking his head as well. "And I… wanted to say, that well, Ciri and I have talked a bit about it, but after everything is over… if we think we can help you without tipping off Emhyr… we will."
Adda smiled curtly at him and nodded again. "I appreciate that very much Dominik… good luck, I'll be wishing you the best."
"Aye, the same with me kid… be careful, and keep your woman close," Elise said, shaking his hand again, before she turned back to Adda. "Alright, you ready to head out? Sigi has an escort waiting for us, set to take us back."
Adda smirked, before turning back to Dominik. "Well… I was actually hoping we could spend the night, buy a few drinks. I saw kegs of Temarian rye being moved downstairs, I haven't had that in years, and I saw dancers, a band… planning a party are we Dominik?"
Dominik hadn't thought about the party that night, and his plans for he and Ciri since the conversation started. His eyes widened as he remembered all the things he still wanted to get, he looked out the window, and saw that the sun was setting. The markets would be closing soon, and he was sure Ciri would have to be back soon. He didn't want her to hear Dandelion or Priscilla planning the song or see her yet and possibly tell her about what he had planned. That had happened several times when they were younger, when he simply got so excited for something he did for her and blurted it out beforehand.
He looked to Adda and Elise and quickly nodded. "Yes, we're having a few friends and a bit of a party, we leave for Skellige tomorrow to fight the Hunt. You're both more than welcome to stay, but I need to get going, I meant to get something for Ciri and-."
Adda and Elise both cut him off by laughing. Elise laughed from her gut and met his gaze. "Ahaha, you best get going then kid!"
Adda laughed as well, looking and waving for him to leave. "Haha, yes, yes, what Elise said, get going! Forget about all of this for one night, go, get something for your woman, and enjoy yourselves, Elise and I will seek you out before we leave."
Dominik sighed in relief, his heart racing as he bowed to them both again. "Thank you! Thank you both, sorry to rush out but I… need to get moving!"
"Ahh it's as I said… young people in love, nothing is more precious," Adda said fondly as Dominik rushed to grab his sword leaning against the nightstand.
Elise scoffed as he did, smiling over at Adda. "Aha… he brought up a good point to me the other day… we aren't older than them are we?"
Adda smiled and looked at Elise, slowly nodded. "No… I suppose we aren't you know what they say though, ruling ages you twice as fast, I'll have grey hairs soon."
"You could pull of the grey hair look," Elise complimented, looking at Adda as Dominik struggled to find the head hole of his armor. "Me on the other hand, gods, this could use a comb."
The Queen quickly shook her head as she moved Elise's red curls. "I like it like this i must admit, it has a beautiful shine…"
Elise looked at Adda flustered for a moment, Dominik had time to catch her trying to stutter out a response, just as he pulled his head through his armor. After hearing the clunking of his sword strapping to his back, both Adda and Elise turned to him, and they both smirked. Adda laughed and waved him on.
"Are you still here? No worries we'll get out of your room and get ones of our own. Go on! Might I suggest a necklace? Something special, but simple," She said, as Elise scoffed and nodded next to her.
"Ha, first gift Arno ever got me was this crossbow," Elise said, patting the crossbow on her waist, before smirking over at him. "A necklace yeah, or maybe something she could use."
The thought of gifting whatever the present was to Ciri, already had his heart fluttering. And just like that again, all he was worried about was her, and enjoying that last night they were going to have together.
Dominik looked to Adda and Elise both and nodded. "Thank you… thank you both again, I'll see you both later, I need to get going!"
Elise and Adda nodded to him both one last time, before Dominik took off through the door, heading down the stairs towards Triss Merigold's room.
A/N: Helloooo ladies and gentlemen, I'm gonna address an obvious fact right away, I 100% meant for this whole final day in Novigrad to be one single chapter. However, it got kind of long with Adda's part at the end, and I thought that after such a serious moment with a lot of future implications, it would be a bit of a weird tone shift to go back to what I have planned for the rest of the chapter. SO, I decided to split it up haha, next chapter will be the true final chapter in Novigrad, before we head to Skellige for the final stretch, where so many moments are going to finally pay off! Let's break down this chapter first however!
First, we have a dream of Bella, and how she survived the sack of Cintra. I felt we got a really good view of how powerful Bella is, even at such a young age. We haven't seen the full extent of Bella's power yet, not by a long shot. She's been so conflicted with everything that it's been hard for her to focus it all. Bella truly is going to end up being one of my favorite characters in this story, and I hope that you all enjoy what I have planned for her. We'll be seeing more of her soon through more dreams… then of course the final battle.
After that we get a cute, funny moment with Dominik and Ciri, where we get the premise of these two chapters! Dominik and Ciri are both going out to get something for the other, along with finally planning their first-time making love with one another. This has been a moment that I've had a couple people ask when this would happen, and as I've stated before, it's going to happen next chapter and one or two more times this story. I've never wrote sex scenes before, so I'm gonna try to make them as realistic and passionate as possible, a fitting first time for them both, after so many years in the making. I think I've built up enough romantic and sexual tensions for it to be a good pay off.
So, after that we get a bit of split POVs, first we go with Dominik heading to talk to Priscilla and Dandelion where we see Dominik come up with his first idea of what he's getting for Ciri. A song, the 'Ballad of the Young Wolf and the Swallow'. Now, I'm not good at writing songs at all xD I'm going to try and find a way to at least write a few verses I'll try my very best I promise xD
Switching over to Ciri, her and Geralt are out on the town! And after confirming that indeed Ciri is planning on making that night the first night they make love, and we also see her idea, which thanks to Geralt becomes a reality. Dominik's steel sword is going to be repaired by the master elven swordsmith Hattori, where she orders Dominik's faithful weapon repaired and improved!
After that… we have the first of a few serious conversations in this chapter. Geralt learned while with Avallach, the truth about what he made Ciri do. Now, I will die on this hill, I cannot STAND Avallach in the Witcher 3. His character is completely changed from the book, which I normally don't mind, but they made it out to where Ciri, who hated and didn't trust Avallach in the books suddenly trust him more then even Yennefer, seeming to worship the ground he walks on. She even KNOWS AND MENTIONS THIS IN THE GAME when you go and bring Ge'els back to Novigrad. I know a few years have passed, but I know for a fact Book Ciri would never trust him again, not like she does in the game. In the witcher 3 as a whole, while I love Ciri in it obviously I always believed she was a little bit more… naïve, then I believe book Ciri would be if that makes sense. So, in this story I have her acting as I believe book Ciri would act, where she only went with Avallach because it was her only choice, and certainly would know that he was up to something.
Either way, Geralt now knows, and brings up a good point, they love Dominik and Yen both, but they will kill Avallach without a second thought if they know. So yes, they both will find out before the story ends, and I can't wait to show the reactions.
With Geralt and Ciri on their way back, we cut back to Dominik. And in this first scene we have a few flashbacks with Dominik while Dandelion and Priscilla plan the song. I loved writing those flashbacks, the second time Dominik and Ciri kissed, the first conversation he had with Geralt, I hope they were fun to read, but after that the real big part of the chapter comes, as we meet again with Queen Adda of Redania.
Dominik meets with Adda and Elise, and we get a lot of implications about the future of the continent. Now of course, as we know this isn't one of the endings for the game, however, I wanted to make my story unique in a way, so enter Queen Adda, who after this story is over as we see… won't surrender easily to the Black Ones. As I've said before, the mini sequel after this story will be the 'The Great Northern Gambit: The First Steps', go to my profile to see the story description, it is a story I'm SO excited to bring to you all!
SO, next chapter we have a few more things, we'll have Dominik and Triss going off to find Ciri one last present, as well as everything else he needs for their last romantic night before they head for Skellige. Meanwhile Ciri comes back to the inn, and has a meeting with the Lodge of Sorceresses, where the swallow will bite back against the lodge, and we get one last moment of bliss before the final stretch of the story…
BIG NEWS, I have more fanart for this story, including Dominik Ciri and Fiona! Go on Instagram and follow dominik_of_cintra for more fanart and awesome behind the scenes writing! Also I post writing tips, have witcher discussions, and overall it's just a really great time if you love the witcher!
As usual everyone, please stay safe, please, please review if you have time! And as always, make sure to follow and favorite this story to stay updated! We're almost finished, and I am so, SO excited to show you guys the end, see you all next time!
