So they turned towards Trusek. Eskel brought her a bedroll, and a new dress (the one that the spring gave her was beautiful, but not designed for traveling). Jael insisted that they should buy the cheapest one, but Eskel set up his bristles and bought a beautiful blue dress. To make up for the costs Jael started selling salves and brews, for simple uses like headaches or manly problems. She searched for the herbs while Eskel hunted, and smashed them together in his potion-making mortar. She was glad that her aunt made her help with the potions because after countless hours of work she knew exactly what the ingredients were and how to turn them into medicine.

Eskel became quieter, so Jael filled the silence with songs and stories. It took her an entire week to make Eskel laugh, but when he did it felt like her heart would prise open her chest. Whenever he returned from a fight she made sure to check him for injuries and rub salve over the bruises and cuts. Eskel insisted that he didn't need it, he would heal, but Jael just waved her hand.

"I know you will heal, but this makes it quicker and less painful."

So she took care of Eskel and chatted, and by the third week, Eskel spoke to as he used to, like nothing changed. But everything changed. She was running out of time, to tell him how she felt, what she wanted. And that's when that rainy night came.

It was a particularly cold night, with sprinkling rain, and no matter how long they searched, there was no shelter. They settled under the trees, where the leaves provided a little dryness. Jael let out a tirade of curses as she laid her bedroll on the wet grass. This was going to be a long night. She kept most of her clothes on, then slipped under the covers, shivering. She tried to sleep, but the cold and the wet kept her awake for what seemed like hours.

"Can't sleep?"

"Too cold."

"I can hear your teeth rattle from here. Want to huddle?"

"Huddle?"

She imagined being in Eskel's arms, resting her head on his chest and she blushed.

"For warmth."

"Yeah, for warmth, of course, sure."

Eskel dragged his bedroll next to hers. He lied down, lifting the blanket and covering her with it. Then he scooted closer, lifting his arm.

"Is this okay?"

"Yes."

He put his arm over her, and his body against hers. Jael blushed, afraid Eskel would smell her arousal, but then the warmth of the witcher's body permeated her, and she quickly drifted into sleep.

She was still half asleep, snuggling closer to the warmt when she opened her eyes and blinked. She was resting her head on a chest, her arms hugging a man. Not just a man, it was Eskel, she remembered now. She must have turned around in her sleep to end up in this position. She slowly retreated, not wanting to wake him up, then just lied there, marveling at him. She hoped she wasn't being creepy, but it was so rare that she could see him like this. His face was calm in his sleep, a rare state for it. Jael wanted to run her fingers over his eyelids, his scars, his lips, but she didn't dare to move. After a while, Eskel started moving. Jael averted her eyes, not wanting to get caught staring.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Hmm, yes. You are warm."

After that night they always huddled if it was cold, and sometimes even when it wasn't that cold.

One morning Jael woke up to the pain of a hundred needles stabbing her abdomen at the same time. She moaned in pain, and curled up, clutching her stomach. She could hear Eskel getting up, his hand on her back and his voice was full of worry. Jael knew he smelt her pain and the blood.

"Are you alright? Are you bleeding?"

"It's nothing serious, Eskel, just my womanly problems."

His face was still confused, so Jael tried to explain, but a new wave of pain came, and she had to shut her mouth or another painful moan would have come out, and she didn't want to worry him even more.

"It's alright, just bring me some water to wash up, then I'll change my small clothes. I'm afraid I can't accompany you today.

"I'll find a healer for you."

Jael grabbed his arm before he could hurry away.

"Nonsense. I'm fine, I told you. I go through this every month, every woman does. No need to waste your coin on a healer. I just have to get some rest."

Eskel didn't seem too sure about that when he left. As she heard the door close, she returned into fetal position, whining to herself. Usually, her monthly illness was manageable, and only a few times a year was it this bad, and of course, it had to be now. She was too distracted by the pain to notice how much time has passed since Eskel left, so she was surprised to hear the door open.

"It's her."

Jael looked up, seeing Eskel being followed by an old woman, who carried a big basket.

"I told you not to get a healer."

"Oh, don't worry about it, deary, I'm not even a real healer, more like a medicine-woman. Now son, don't just stand there, make yourself useful. Bring a bucket of warm water and tell the kitchen maid to make a good strong tea from these."

She took one good look at the bed and shouted after Eskel.

"And bring some sheets, too."

Once he was gone she stepped closer to Jael, murmuring commiseratingly. She gently pushed on her stomach, making her hiss.

"I told him not to waste your time. It's just my illness, it's often like this."

"It's not a problem. I'm Emese."

"Jael."

"Well Jael, is there any chance you were with child?"

"No! We haven't…I haven't, not in months."

"Good, I just asked to make sure, because this is a heavy flow of blood."

Eskel soon returned with the bucket, then left the room immediately. Emese helped her stand up and clean herself. She changed the sheets and brought her more rags to stuff them into her smallclothes. Then she maneuvered her to sit on the bed, and she sat behind her, with her arms around her body. She started gently kneading and massaging her lower stomach. Jael let out a relieved sigh and leaned against Emese.

"This is good."

"I learned it from my aunt. You have got yourself a good lad, you hear me? Most men would only care that they can't stick their cock into you during bleeding, but this one was truly worried about you. He is a catch, that's for sure."

"We aren't…Eskel and I are not…"

"Oh, sure. I can see how he looks at you. He came early to my house, banging at the door. I came running in my nightgown, cause he sounded like someone was dying. When he told me what it was about I almost laughed into his face. Kind lad, but a bit dense. Asked me all sorts of questions about our illness, like he has never heard of it. Men! Someone should teach them these things."

There was a knock on the door, and Eskel came in with a mug of steaming hot tea. He placed it on the cupboard.

"Can I help in anything?"

"Yes, come here lad, take this over from me. My old hands get tired fast, and I have to prepare some other herbs for her."

Eskel pitter-pattered in one place, embarrassed. Jael knew he would be crimson red if he could blush.

"I don't know how."

"It's easy, I can show you."

He guarded Eskel's hand on her stomach.

"You press here than go around in little circles. Yes, just like that."

She stood up and Eskel scooted into her place. Jael tried to calm her fastly beating heart, because Eskel was here, right behind her, his hands on her stomach, even if it was because he wanted to help her, not because he cared like that. Emese smiled at them.

"I put the herbs in little bags, make tea and drink one if it starts to hurt. This should be enough for the next three months."

"Thank you. The coin.."

"What you gave me before we arrived here should be more than enough."

They stayed like that long after the pain was gone, Jael leaning against Eskel and him gently forming circles on her stomach.

"You must think I'm terribly stupid that I didn't know about all of this. I knew women have their monthly illness, I just didn't quite know how it went down."

"No shame in not knowing things if you are willing to learn. I suppose, if you didn't have any women around your fortress there were no one to explain it. I can't imagine Vesemir giving a talk about it."

They both chuckle at that.

"And you have to suffer this every month?"

"Yes, to have babies. A horrible price if you ask me. But everyone wants them after a while, so you tell yourself it's worth it."

"I can't have them."

"Can't have what?"

"Children. The trials make us infertile."

"That's horrible!"

Eskel just shrugged.

"Being a father isn't fit for a witcher's lifestyle. Better this than having to leave your kids behind."

"That's fair. But it's still sad, that they took away even the chance of it."

"I never thought about it that way."

She couldn't even scream before the griffin sank its claws in her shoulder and snatched her up in the air. She could hear Eskel scream and a powerful wave of magic hit them, and it made the griffin drop her. She landed on her back and rolled over to see what was happening. Eskel already had his silver sword in his hand.

"Get out of here! Go!"

She scrambled to her feet and ran. She hid behind the rocks, watching the fight unfold from there. Eskel wasn't dancing around it this time. He was a dangerous predator, with only one aim: to kill. The griffin didn't stand a chance. When he pulled his sword out of its chest he rushed to her.

"Jael! Are you injured, are you hurt?"

"I'm alright, just the claw marks, and my back hurt's a bit. But you are injured."

Eske glanced at his bleeding arm as if he only noticed it for the first time.

"I'm a witcher, it'll heal. Let me see your wound."

He examined her sshoulder, and Jael noticed his hand was shaking.

"You have to be more careful, and you can't be so reckless! Promise me not to do anything stupid like this ever again! I can't lose you, because I lo.."

He shut his mouth tight, lifting his hand to rub his scars, as he always did when he was embarrassed or distressed. But this time Jael caught his hand, grabbing into it tightly. She sat up, her face inches away from his.

" Finish it. Finish what you were going to say."

Eskel tried to pull away, but Jael didn't let him, and her gaze never left his eyes either.

"Because I love you."

It was only a whisper, but enough to make her heart nearly explode with happiness. She cupped his face and leaned forward, claiming the kiss she has dreamt about for so long.

The first week after Eskel's confession was straight out of a fairy tale. Eskel was exactly the gallant knight his poems were about, who brought flowers and carried her in his arms when a splinter got into her feet. He was still shy, but with every kiss and every hug, he seemed to believe it more and more that he could be loved. And Jael found flowers all over her pillow when she woke up and although she scolded Eskel for it he always bought her something when they traveled through a market: sweets, ribbons, buttons. They slept next to each other every night, limbs and arms tangled, although nothing else happened between them.

One night as Eskel rested his head on Jael's lap and she was playing with his hair. They managed to get a room in an in, so the bed was more comfortable than usual and there was a lovely fire burning in the fireplace, heating the small room.

"Sing me that song you sang when you saved me. About the willow fairy. I can't remember much, mostly the tune, but I want to hear it again."

"Are you comfortable? Okay, I'll start, but fair warning, my voice isn't a bard's."

"Don't be shy."

She cleared her throat and started singing.

"A young man walked through the forest

With his quiver and hunting bow

He heard a young girl singing

And followed the sound below

There he found the maiden

Who lives in the willow

He called to her as she listened

From a ring of toadstools red

"Come with me, my maiden

Come from thy willow bed"

She looked at him serenely

And only shook her head

See me now, a ray of light in the moondance

See me now, I cannot leave this place

Hear me now, a strain of song in the forest

Don't ask me, to follow where you lead

A young man walked through the forest

With a flower and coat of green

His love had hair like fire

Her eyes an emerald sheen

She wrapped herself in beauty

So young and so serene

He stood there under the willow

And he gave her the yellow bloom

"Girl, my heart you've captured

Oh, I would be your groom"

She said she'd wed him never

Not near, nor far, nor soon

A young man walked through the forest

With an axe sharp as a knife

"I'll take the green-eyed fairy

And she shall be my wife

With her I'll raise my children

With her I'll live my life"

The maiden wept when she heard him

When he said he'd set her free

He took his axe and used it

To bring down her ancient tree

"Now your willow's fallen

Now you belong to me"

She followed him out the forest

And collapsed upon the earth

Her feet had walked but a distance

From the green land of her birth

She faded into a flower

That would bloom for one bright eve

He could not take from the forest

What was never meant to leave"

They were silent for a long time after the last chords of the song died on Jael's lips. Finally, Eskel spoke.

"Poor girl."

"Foolish boy."

Jael noticed that Eskel's behavior started to change. It wasn't anything big, just how he didn't initiate kissing or hugging anymore, how he let go of her hand whenever they walked into a town or leaned away from her touch. He didn't put his bedroll next to hers when it wasn't especially chilly, and he slept on the side of the bed instead of cuddling when they slept in an inn. Jael didn't understand it. Maybe he reconsidered his confession, but was too nice to admit it? Was it only a passion of the moment thing? Has he grown bored of her and her constant chattering already? Or was he ashamed of her, a simple village girl, who couldn't even read? She couldn't wrap her head around it, so one night, when he put his bedroll far away from hers again, she spoke up.

"What is it, Eskel? What's your problem with me?"

He looked up, scarred as a child caught stealing sweets.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Oh, really? Don't think I haven't noticed. You don't touch me, you don't sleep next to me, hell you don't even speak to me that much anymore. Have you grown bored with me? Do you regret saying you loved me?"

"Jael, I…"

"Spit it out, because I'm not spending another night shivering."

Eskel put down his bedroll and walked over to her, He reached out for her hand, but changed his mind halfway and dropped his arm.

"You don't own me anything, you do know that, don't you?"

"I don't own…What are you talking about? You saved me, but what has that do with this?"

"I know what I'm, how I look. Don't think I can't hear what people whisper about you whenever we enter an inn."

She heard those, too. "Witcher's bitch." "Slut." "Monster's whore.", just to mention a few. It hurt, sure, but what was Eskel getting at?

"I'm a mutant, an ugly one at that. I don't want you to…to be with me just because you feel like you owe me."

What? He thought she was with him because he saved her? How could he think that?

"How could you say that?! Do you think I'm that vain, that I'm only with you because of what, I feel obligated to? Fuck off, Eskel. You don't know me at all if you say that."

He grabbed her hand, a desperate look in his eyes.

"Why else? I'm horrendous to look at, people spit at me whenever they get a chance and they would happily kill me if they didn't need me. Why do you want to be with someone like me?"

"Because I love you! I love how gentle you are, how much you love poetry, and that you help people by risking your own life. And I like looking at you, even at your scars, because I love you."

Eskel lowered his head, ashamed.

"I'm sorry. It's just hard to believe that you can love someone like me, someone..."

"Don't finish that sentence, I won't let you disparage yourself. Just bring your bedroll here and hug me close."

Jael was sitting by the inn's door, mending one of Eskel's shirts, eyeing the door. No matter how many times she has seen Eskel fight, she was always worried when he went out to hunt. Finally, the door creaked and Eskel stepped in, covered in bloody, reeking guts. Jael jumped up, and many of the guests did too.

"Are you injured? Are you alright?"

"It's just the monster, not me. I'm okay."

"Bring a bath to our room, please."

The innkeeper didn't protest this time, probably because he didn't want the reeking witcher, with monster guts dripping off of him, standing a moment longer in his inn.

Jael prepared the bath with an oil she has made a few weeks ago when she noticed how much Eskel liked the smell of lavender. By the time she was finished Eskel already got rid of his armor, putting it away for later cleaning. She stood by the tub, waiting for Jael to leave the room, as she usually did. But this time she decided to stay.

"Let me help you."

Eskel's head snapped up.

"Come on, strip away those dirty clothes, the sooner the better. I'm not even sure I'll be able to wash them clean if I soak them right now. And I should definitely help you wash your hair. Are you sure you aren't injured?"

"Just a few scratches."

Eskel started to hesitantly strip. Jael turned around as he stepped into the water, and she gathered his clothes and dunk them into a bucket of hot water. She stood behind him, trying not to eye his muscled shoulder too much. Eskel's body was tense as her fingers started to work on his hair. There were guts and blood, which made her want to puke, but for his sake, she stopped herself. She concentrated on the feeling of Eskel's warm skin under her fingers instead.

"Tell me about the fight."

As he started to talk and he got cleaner and cleaner the tension slowly left his body. He even leaned into her touch when she washed her hair.

After he was all cleaned up, Jael brought a fresh set of clothes and put them down next to him. She turned around, but she could still feel her cheeks getting red as he emerged with a splash and dried himself off, and she had to resist peeking. When she finally turned around he hasn't finished dressing, his shirt still in his hand. She has seen him half-naked before, many times, as being in the wild didn't offer much privacy, but this time was different. She stepped closer and put a hand on his arm, stopping Eskel halfway in movement. She didn't know what to say, she just took the shirt from him, dropping it on the floor, then took him by the hand and led him to the bed. They lied facing each other, so close she could feel Eskel's hot breath on her face. She hesitantly touched his body, tracing a scar with her hand.

"How did you get this one?"

"Bruxa. It took me by surprise."

Jael laid a kiss on the scar, then moved on to the next one.

"How about this one?"

"Werewolf. I couldn't save his victims."

Jael didn't stop until she counted every scar with kisses. By the time they ran out of them, Eskel was breathing hard and her cheeks were flushed.

"You didn't ask about one."

"I assumed you didn't want me to."

Eskel turned to his back, staring at the ceiling.

"It was a girl, my child of surprise. I should have never invoked that law. I wasn't there for her when she needed me, and even when she sought me out I didn't want to help her. She left me with these as a parting gift."

Jael didn't say anything, she just kissed his facial scar, starting at his forehead, down to his mouth. By the time she arrived there, Eskel wasn't speaking either.

They walked, hand in hand, leading Scorpion by the reins. The sun was shining, and although the weather is chilly, it was still nice to feel the sunbeams on their face. Jael, as she often did, asked Eskel:

"Tell me a poem."

This time he hesitated more than the usual, but then cleared his throat and started reciting.

"Lady of green eyes,

Young, not yet wise,

Hands full of pinks, lilies, and lilacs,

Red poppy, tiny crocus, sweet rose.

Out comes the which whose

The flowers were and cries:"

Wait, that sounded very familiar.

"Lady of green eyes,

Here is your prise!

For stealing my flowers,

And trampling my garden

There is no pardon.

You shall be a goat

All day you'll bleat

Run around and eat.

Lady of green eyes,

That shall be your prise."

Jael could feel tears prickling her eyes as she realized that was her story, their story. Eskel wrote the whole thing into a poem, how they met, how she saved him, everything. She grabbed onto his hand tightly and listened to his voice.

"Lady of green eyes,

So beautiful, so wise

With eyes like emerald

Such a thing I never held

So close to my heart before."

Eskel stopped talking and he looked anywhere but at her. Jael entwined her arms around his neck and forced him to look into his eyes.

"Eskel, love, did you write this?"

"I know I'm not a poet or a bard…"

"This was the most beautiful thing anyone ever said to me."

She kissed him, a long, passionate kiss and Eskel let go of the horse's reils so he could hug her.

"I'm so glad you liked it. It took me weeks." He whispered into her hair.

"Eskel, promise me something." Jael said between kisses.

"Anything."

"Please don't let this thing between us, whatever it is, end when we arrive at Trusek."

Eskel didn't answer, just hugged her closer.

They walked into the village, leading Scorpion behind them. Eskel once told her he felt less intimidating like this, instead of riding. She could hear the gasps and murmurs as people stood on the side of the road, and their gazes burned her back. But none of them dared to approach, not even her friends, they just stare aít her, their eyes wide and disbelieving. She felt like a freak. This is must be how Eskel felt every time he arrived at a new place. How can someone get used to this treatment?

"Jael!"

She heard her aunt's voice before being crushed in a hug. It was overwhelming, being in her arms after such a long time. Jael could feel tears gathering in her eyes.

"Aunt Tasha!"

When she finally let go of her she cupped her face in her hands and looked her all over.

"Are you all right? Are injured? Where have you been? We were worried sick."

Before Jael could get a word out she turned towards Eskel. She stepped in front of Jael, as if shielding her from him.

"What did you do to her, Witcher? I swear if you hurt her…"

Jael grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"It's all right, Aunty. This Eskel. He saved my life, multiple times. It's because of him that I'm here now."

The suspicion in her eyes disappeared after a few seconds, and she extended her hand towards Eskel.

"In that case, I would be honored if you joined us for dinner."

Eskel seemed surprised by the invitation but followed her. Tasha made Jael's favorite, chicken paprikash with noodles, and had Oleg bring up a bottle of the good wine. Jael told them the story from the moment she stole the flowers to the magical spring and their journey back here. She didn't mention how close they got, but from her aunt's gaze, she suspected she knew. Eskel was very quiet at first, staring at his bowl, but then Jael's hand found his under the table and squeezed it reassuringly. After a little encouragement, he chimed in with his parts of the story. Oleg and Prisca sat at the very end of the table, barely touching their food. After a while Oleg warmed up, asking Eskel about his swords and the monsters he killed. Prisca didn't say a word, a wry look on her face. After they finished the meal Tasha stood up.

"You should stay with us for the night, Maester Witcher. It'll be a cold night, and the inn is probably full."

"Thank you for your generosity."

Tasha just shook her head.

"You brought back my niece. No coin in the world can repay that."

She led Eskel to the guest room. The moment they were gone, Prisca grabbed Jael by the arm and dragged her to the pantry.

"What the fuck, Jael?"

"I'm happy to see you too, Prisca."

"Did he put a spell on you? Cursed you? You disappear for over half a year, then you waltz in with this creature, batting your eyes at him, holding his hand. Mother is too happy that we got you back, but I could see the way you look at him. What will people say if they notice, too? That you're a witcher's whore?"

"Stop it, Prisca! Did you hear a word I said at the table? I was cursed, almost died several times and all you can think about is what people will say? Eskel isn't a creature or a monster and he didn't curse me. Yes, I love him, because he is the bravest and kindest man I know. And now, if you forgive I have to go unpack."

She bumped into her aunt on her way upstairs. She stroked her face and smiled at her.

"I'm so happy, Jael. Almost as happy as I was when you were born. I thought you were dead, I grieved and now here you are, alive and well, and with a man you love."

Jael blushed.

"Is it that obvious?"

"I have been in love, deary, I recognize the signs."

"And you aren't angry?"

"Why would I be? He seems like a good man. But you know it won't be easy, do you?"

"Yes. But I love him."

She sneaked into the guest room at night. Eskel was waiting for her, sitting on the edge of the bed. Jael sat next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"This went well. My family really likes you."

"Not all of them."

Jael's head snapped up.

"How do you…You heard us!"

"Yes. I didn't mean to, but enchanted hearing and all of that."

"Well Prisca is just being a bitch, but I'm sure she doesn't mean it."

"Did you mean it?"

"Mean what?"

Eskel didn't look at her, but his hand tightened around hers.

"What you said to Prisca and later to your aunt about how you feel towards me."

"Oh, Eskel. Of course, I did, and I will repeat it as many times as you need it to believe it."

She stood up and took both of his hands and forced him to look her in the eye.

"I love you."

"But…"

"No buts. This is how I feel, and nothing will change it."

Eskel pulled her in a kiss, his lips seeking hers as she was the last drop of water in a desert. When they parted he pulled her in his lap.

"I'll have to leave tomorrow."

"That's okay. Just promise that you will come back for me when spring comes."

"I swear on my life, Jael. I'll come back because I love you."