AN: I AM BACK. Sorry, University kicked my ass, so I had no time nor motivation to write something. This is a long one though…
Marmottine:
Yeah, the only thing missing now is a Fili- but who knows *innocent smile*
For know they will stay calm I think…
Johng23: You are forgiven ;)
Ambrosialyn: *innocent whistling* I think you know what will happen in this Chapter.. HEHEHE
The battle of Kaer Morhen had been two month ago.
Gerald, Ciri, the Sorceresses, the Elf had left for the final battle that was to take place on the Islands of Skellige. Hence the Vikings had left themselves, but not without another invite for the little family to visit them there.
That left only Letho, Eskel, Vesemir, Lambert, Milli and the new born twins at the old castle. Winter was fast approaching, so every free minute was used to get the castle and themselves ready for the cold months that would be longer and harsher than what she had been used to due to the alpine placement.
Eskel had left with Gerald, though he went to get provisions and things like clothes they would need. Especially for Milli, Kili and Lili. That task had costs nearly a month time until he returned with salt, clothes, dried fruits, clothes and other things they might need and he had found.
Milli felt a bit ashamed that the man had to pay for the things she and the twins would be using, although every man had told her it was fine and that they had some money laid back that was to use for the School in all and she was now part of it. Especially if she held to her statement she wants to learn things about their work and how to fight and kept caring and cooking for them like she was doing.
While Eskel was away, the others had begun to hunt to make dried meat, while Milli tried to patch up the old winter clothes for her and the others. Though this task got even bigger after the Witcher´s return, because of the furs and leather he brought back for her to sew together into usable forms.
Vesemir had informed her, that usually, they would sleep in the great hall during the winter, because they had only one big room to heat then, though he said that wouldn't be working this time, because the twins (and her) would need all the rest they could get. What wouldn't be much with four others living, sleeping and working in one room.
Even if that meant they had to get more fire wood than usual. The blue haired woman offered to help with the task but was quickly shut up with the statement she was already taking care of the little Babies and the big ones (like Vesemir grinned) and that was already enough.
She wasn't too mad about that; her body was still a bit sore and weak from the birth (it had taken nearly the whole moth of Eskel´s departure for the pain to stop). The first two weeks Lambert did not once leave her side and literally carried her a few times when he saw her unfit to walk on her own and once or twice Eskel and Letho did that as well. Usually she would felt manhandled, though she knew they had only her wellbeing in mind and not the thought of her being helpless and to be honest, she was glad those ruff and grumpy looking (an acting) men were acting and helping her like that. They enjoyed looking after the twins when she needed a little rest or need to go to the toilet, though not one of them felt able to change the woollen diapers. Milli had laughed about the fact that they had no problem with standing and nearly bathing in monster insides, but weren´t able to stand the smell of baby poop.
At night the twins were generally calm, only waking up when they needed to get fed or changed, though the parents had a feeling it wouldn't last like that, so they were enjoying the silent nights as long as they could.
The clothes Eskel had brought back for the twins were too big for them at the moment, though they quickly would grow into them (at least faster than in the hold shirts of the Witcher she was using to keep them warm before).
Feeding them was something she cursed and praised at the same time. Cursed, because during the first month she wasn´t able to subdue the pain with the help of a swallow potion, like they had after the attack by the vampire, of fear it would poison her milk and harm her children. The herbal tee she drank instead was not as good as painkiller as the potion while being as disgusting at it at the same time.
Praising, because if she wouldn't be able to breastfeed, she would have no idea how to nourish her babies. There was no supermarket with Baby formula anywhere in that world and so they would probably have died.
Milli had lost all the weight she had gathered during her pregnancy within the two months, though her skin wasn´t as smooth as before. More stretching marks than before adorned her skin and more than once did she caught herself faring her fingernails over them. Just like she had done with those she got from her slight overweight times.
"What´s wrong, Milli?", Lambert mumbled into her ear, one of his hands stopping her movements, his eyes staring into hers (at least as much they were able to with him laying behind her).
"Nothing.", she mumbled, snuggling farther into his chest and warmth.
"Didn´t look like nothing to me. Your eyes looked a bit sad. What is on your mind? Maybe I can help- Let me help.", he whispered, and she saw the worry shimmering in his eyes.
"It´s just- you know- I was heavier before my time in this world. It felt nice for once to be ´small´, to have the ´perfect body´- and then I got pregnant. Not that I didn't felt good in my skin before- well most of the time. And not that I feel unwell how I am now, but with all these stretching marks- ", she breathed awkward and slightly uncomfortable with her confession and situation. Those moments were very rare, and she didn't want the man behind her feel guilty.
"I know I shouldn't feel like that, and I usually don't care. But sometimes-", she sighted and turned around in his arms to face him, "-sometimes those thoughts just appear. Just ignore me then. It usually doesn't last for long."
"Not happening.", he mumbled, "As cheesy as it sounds. You and the Twins are the best that happened in my whole live. I don't want you too be sad because of some stupid thoughts and minds."
His caramel orbs bored into hers with so much love and passion, that she started to feel guilty.
"There is nothing wrong with you or your body. You know that right?", he declared and a warm feeling filled her heart upon hearing those words.
"Yeah, I know. So- what is your plan for today?", she tried to change the subject.
"Hunting and Firewood. Maybe some fish to dry."
"Do you have a Spring inside the castle? One that doesn't freeze during winter."
"Yes, in the cellar, why? Irrigation lines bring it up to the washing room."
"We could make a pond and keep fish and crabs there as livestock during the winter. At least we could try. Feeding them with dried bread and the crabs eat whatever fish dies."
"How do you get those ideas? That might work and would be a lot easier than catching them now and drying them."
"I will talk with Vesemir about it later. What else will you guys do?"
"Check the path and monsters one more time. Don't want them to take refuge to close to the castle. What about you?"
"Preparing more meat for the winter. Maybe getting some wild apples and berries to dry, so we all have vitamins during the cold months. Though I don't believe there is much left with the snow so close."
"It will take a month at most for it to reach us.", the man mumbled, his lips slightly brushing over the sensitive back of her neck. Resulting in shivers of warmth roll down her spine.
"Mhmm,", she moaned and a tingling feeling (that she hadn´t felt in a very long time) gathered between her legs. It had been too long for the two of them to have some adult fun. Hearing that noise, Lambert´s hand began to roam over her body. Caressing her breasts and sides, only to move over her thigs, squeezing here and there. His Lips nipped on any skin he could reach with the way she was pressed against his chest. His own need was pressing against her stomach and a small growl escaped his lips.
Milli wasn't able to register the strong grip around her waist, when he had already turned her on her back. His body hovering over her. His warm and soft lips crushed down on hers and warm hands cupped her face.
Their need grew with every passing second and they would have been able to suffice it, wasn't it for the hiccup and loud scream coming from the crib; making both parents groan and stop at once.
It didn't take long for the girl to wake her brother and now both twins were screaming their little lungs out.
"You or I?", she mumbled.
"Each one?"
"I Kili and you Lili?"
"Yeah, she seems to calm down faster with me."
"She seems to be a Daddy-girl and Kili a Mommy-boy. At least at the moment."
As soon as they were in their parents arms, the babies calmed down and greeted them with toothless smiles. Though the mother knew they would be screaming as soon as they were awake enough to be hungry. When a knock sounded from the door.
"Come in.", Milli called and Eskel stepped in.
"Heard the little ones. Water is already warm, so you can change them.", he grinned, playing with Kili´s little hand.
"Thank you Eskel.", the mother smiled, glad she wouldn't have to do that now.
"Anything else you want?", Lambert growled, staring at the man standing in his room.
"Yeah. You. Now hurry up. Letho and I don't wait all day for your sorry ass. We need to check the path and beasts, get meat and make more firewood. And that all in one day.", the man growled back.
"Yeah, yeah. Idiot. Now get going we will be out as fast as possible.", the dark haired Witcher with the Baby on his arm stared, "Ass.!
Should have make a swear jar. Well- never to late with this lot. Though I might have to put something on there as well once in a while.
"Eskel, why don't you get me a bucket with the water and he can get ready while I feed these little monsters.", Milli smiled, trying to diffuse the situation- she had no nerve to deal with the men´s antics this early in the morning.
"Sure thing. By the way, Vesemir grumbled something about being sick of dried meat during the winter and being bored. That man gets grumpier with every day. Be right back.", and with that the man was gone.
"Alright, give me Lili and I will see if I can feed her without starting to fuss. You can get ready in the meantime then.", she smiled sitting back down on the bed and leaning against the wall. As soon as she was seated, she laid down Kili in her lap and opened her sleeping shirt to be able to feed them without taking of the shirt. She had changed the sewing and buttons in the front of most of her shirts, to make that possible.
Shirt opened and in place, she motioned for Lambert to hand over her daughter and he obliged. A smile parted the little girl´s face, as soon as she realized she would be able to eat any moment, her hands reached towards her mother.
"Someone is hungry.", Lambert laughed.
"When aren´t they hungry? I swear I am happy as soon as they are able to eat solid food like mush and puree. Or otherwise they will suck me dry.", the mother answered, enjoying the feeling of her daughter drinking, seething the pain in her full breast with closed eyes.
"Stop staring and get ready.", she rolled her eyes behind her closed lids.
"You would stare as well if that would be one of the last things you see, before spending a whole day in the wild with those ugly dumbasses.", he answered, causing the female to laugh.
"Paint a picture, it will last longer then.", She called back, shaking her head in amusement.
"Here is the water Mi- Shit sorry.", Lambert cursed as soon as he entered their room again without knocking.
"There is a door for a reason. Ever heard of knocking?", Lambert growled sending glares towards the other man, pulling the bucket out of his grip. "We will be out soon." And with that, he closed the door into the other man´s face.
"One could think he would have gotten used to this. Wasn't by far the first time he walked in on me feeding these buggers.", the young mother chuckled.
"Yeah. Can´t blame him though. Isn´t like you go hiding-"
"Why should I. It is natural and nothing sexual about me feeding them. You cant even see my tits because of their heads. And come on, have you seen the cleavage of Triss´s dress, that almost reached her private parts. It´s not like I walk around naked or bare chested all the time.", she answered.
"You better not.", was his answer.
"Why not? Because you don't want to let the others see what you saw, or because you think you wouldn't be able to do and concentrate on your tasks?", she teased back and his reaction showed, probably both were the reason. ´
"Alright, Lili is satisfied fir the moment. Can you take her, so I can feed Kili and then change them and then get myself ready?"
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Twenty minutes later, the little family joined the other Witchers at the table in the great hall.
"Morning Gentleman.", Milli greeted the other three Witchers, who on return greeted her back.
"Can you take Kili for a sec, so I can eat something Vesemir?", she asked and the man in question immediately reached for the little bundle of joy. "So, I had an idea that I wanted to talk through with you."
"Alright. Let me hear it.", the man answered in his fatherly voice.
"Lambert said you have a spring in the cellar that doesn't freeze during the winter. I thought maybe to get a little pool going down there with fish and grabs from the river. Like some kind of livestock for the winter. We could try that over the next weeks. It would spare us the work of fileting and drying all those fish.", the young mother explained her idea while eating some bread and cheese.
"Mhm. We could see what we have down there to keep them in. But how do you want to feed them?"
"Dried bread and the crabs would just eat the dead fish. I mean-"
"Mhm. Lambert eat got dammit, you three have a lot to do today!", the mentor scolded his old pupil who send him a half-hearted glare in return.
"Calm down old man. We will get that finished. Don't get a stroke."
"I give you old man. As soon as this stump is fully healed I will kick your ass!"
The all too familiar bickering made the breakfast go over quickly, and soon the three Witchers had left to do their chores.
Milli placed the twins into the casket that served her as a carrier and she and Vesemir started to make their own chores. They checked onto the meat they were drying before making their way towards the cellars.
"Let's see if we can get your idea working. I can´t see all that dried meat anymore.", the eldest Witcher grumbled motioning for her to follow him into a cellar what she did.
The stairs were old and dusty. The air old and humid, just like one would imagine the air inside of an castle cellar to be. She imagined huge kegs of Wine waiting at the bottom of the stairs alongside an iron maiden, though she had no idea where the last part came from.
"The Spring is around that corner.", he stated turning said corner, igniting some torches with Igni.
The sign that opened in front of her was a perfect. In this part of the Castle was build straight into the mountain (or at least against it). The water came out of the wall and was caught in a stone carved pool, which was divided into three parts that could be separated form one another. Each one had a overflow at the end that let the water flow into a dwell, from where pipes went up and disappeared into the castle.
So that's where our water comes from.
"That's perfect. We can separate the pool on the right and put the animals in there. It has its own drain and everything, even a few plants.", she stated exited.
"Yeah. We had some plants in there we needed for the trial. I think that really might work. The only things we need now are fish and crabs."
"Well, let´s go."
"Milli we can´t just go to the river.", he sighted sad.
"Why not? It is only a few minutes away and neither of us had left the castle in almost two months."
"because it is dangerous, you know that. I can´t fight with only one arm. Not jet at least.", he sighted and the young woman´s heart clenched.
"I could ask the Chort if he wants to join us. I don´t think anything will happen if he is around. I know you want to get out of here as much as I do. You could sit on the bank and watch over these two, while I try and catch some animals. The big guy can later even help us get them back.", she told him with a soft voice, she knew Vesemir had it hard to not being able to fight like before. His life had changed drastically after all. She knew he felt useless sometimes, and she wanted to change that.
"Come on. I promise I will take the blame. Please?", she pleaded, hoping the old man would say yes.
"Fine. But only because I know how hard Chorts are to kill and that I really need to get out of this stupid walls.", he huffed, motioning for her to go back up first.
"So, how do you want to transport and catch them?", he asked when the entered the great hall again.
"There is an old unused chest over there, big enough to carry a dozen fish or so. I bet my Guardian can carry it without problem, even if it is full. And to how to catch them. I read about some traps back in my world we could try, otherwise like bear do. With bare hands.", she smiled walking over to the chest she had in mind.
"Sounds like a plan. I will grab some proviant while you call your friend and get that thing ready. Let me take Kili and Lili.", the old Witcher stated.
"Alright. Yo Guardian, what you think. Want to join me and those three on a little Expedition to the river?", Milli called into thin air and not a second later, the white furred beast stood in front of her, "I take that as a yes. Alright. Can you somehow carry this chest with one of your paws? Or do we need to secure it somehow on your back?"
The beast only regarded her with a look that said `course I can´ and a moment later the Chort had the chest in his hand walking towards the main gate.
"Looks like we get out of here.", Vesemir smiled next to her, making her jump a bit- he had made no noise and startled her. "Sorry. Old habits die hard."
"it´s alright. Come on. I cant wait to get wet in the river.", Milli exclaimed and laughed alongside Vesemir.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
During her time in this world, Milli had learned to tell the time by the movement of the sun and moon. They had reached the river after a short half an hour walk and while she build the traps, Vesemir looked after the Twins. The Guardian resting behind them, securing the perimeter and having a watchful eye on the little party. A slight breeze let his fur dance and he looked relaxed- at least for Milli. She had joined Vesemir a short while ago to eat and feed the twins, when her eyes saw a little blondish ball of something drift in the stream. It looked a bit like a Golden Retriever and she couldn't but get interested into what she was seeing.
"What are you looking at?", Vesemir asked her. He had caught her staring at one point in the distance and followed her gaze.
"There is something drifting in the River. Looks like a Puppy. I think I will go and check it out. You can stay here with the Twins."
"Forget it. That could be everything. I don´t want to see you in harms way. Not to mention how Lambert will react if he learns I allowed you to do something this stupid."
"I wouldn't tell and it can´t be too dangerous or otherwise the Big Guy weren´t so relaxed and had already killed it. Am I right?", she asked the Chort who snorted, "See. I will be careful. I promise!"
And with that she skipped towards the little ball of fur. Crouching down next to it, she realized it was indeed a pup. But not a dog, it was a blondish bear pup. No cub. Bears have cubs.
"Ohh you. What happened? Where is your Mommy?", she breathed slowly reaching for the drained and exhausted baby. It was obvious to her that it couldn't be older than a year and without its mother wouldn´t be able to survive the winter.
If it makes it till then. It is so thin. Must be alone for a while now.
"Come on I will get you out of the cold stream. Maybe we have some meat you can have. You are so cute and alone. I think I will keep you. At least till the next Spring.", she mumbled, her mother instincts kicking in. She couldn't leave it here.
Milli was glad for all the work she had done since coming into this world, because otherwise she wouldn´t have been able to lift the cub and carry it to where Vesemir and her Babies were waiting for them.
"That´s a Bear cub.", the man stated in disbelieve.
"It is. I think I will call it Fili. Fili meat Vesemir and my Twins." , she smiled down to the scared and exhausted looking cub, "Now, do we have some leftover meat? He is thin and weak."
"A bear? Milli – no- that is dangerous.", Vesemir breathed in disbelieve.
"Milli yes. It needs help if it wants to survive. And I will not let a baby die because the mother was killed or something.", she stated with a tone there was no changing her mind and to him, she sounded a bit like Yennefer when she wanted something.
"I just want it to make it to the next Spring. See him as a living fur heater or something. Maybe we can train him like a dog? No one would mess with us."
"Not that anyone in its right mind would mess with a Witcher."
"And what if you aren´t around and the Twins and I are alone?"
"Then you have the big guy. But I think there is no way in getting you change your mind at the moment. Let´s just wait what Lambert and the others have to say to it.", he sighted, "let´s check your traps and then return to the castle. My stump starts to hurt and I am sure you wants to be back before Lambert and the others return."
"Alright. Fili, stay with Kili, Lili and Vesemir!", she ordered the pup, which laid exhausted next to them, "Good – boy- girl- whatever."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
The Traps had worked and caught ten fish and two crabs, that the Chort had carried to the great hall in the chest (with water!), Vesemir with the proviant pack and Milli with the twins walking in front of him. Fili stumbling along. She had given him some meat and fresh fish, so he had been able to get a bit strength back.
They were currently sitting at the table in the great hall. Kili and Lili sleeping in their little wooden box crib, while Vesemir cut some meat for them all to eat, while Milli tried to untangle the cubs fur and getting it used to her touching it. It hold still and not once tried to harm her; if it was because of her caring for it or because it was exhausted and afraid she didn´t knew.
Hearing the other three Witchers before they even made it through the door, she put on her most innocent face and cuddled the cub against her body. She was sure she looked like a little kid that wanted to convince her parents to let her keep whatever animal she had just found.
"I said I am sorry, ok?", Eskel groaned.
"Shut up. You did that on purpose.", Lambert growled back. "My ass hurts."
"Come on. You didn't fell that high. Your horse ain´t that fit anymore. Should get a new one soon."
"Don't you think I know that already? It still hurts when I fall of it, because you startled it so much it lets me fall."
"Yeah we know you tried to get a new horse. Little advice: buy one next time. I don't think Milli would appreciate it if you return with another pregnant woman.", Letho piped in with a deep heartly laugh. He had become to love to tease his brothers in arms.
"Like I would do that. Now shut up. Or you calm the twins down if they wake because of- what is that in your lap?", he asked as soon as he saw the caramel animal.
"Looks like a bear to me.", Eskel stated disbelieving.
"That´s Fili.", she smiled innocently and she had to supress to laugh out loud when she saw the realization hit the man´s face.
"No."
"Yes. It is all thin and wouldn't make it to the winter alone. I like it. It is cute."
"You will not keep that bear.", he stated.
"I already named it- so, too late?", she battled her eyelashes, causing Eskel and Letho splutter in laughter about their brothers situation.
"Milli. Bears aren´t pets. They are very dangerous.", he tried to reason.
"He was well behaved until now and my Guardian didn't think him a threat so I will keep him as long as he doesn't harm anyone."
"What about Kili and Lili? They could get in harms way with it around."
"They won´t be alone with him and we can make a nuzzle for it. Please Lambert. It is just a baby and AAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL alone in this world.", she sniffed looking at the Witcher in front of her with huge doe eyes, making him sigh.
He couldn't see her sad or upset, though he would need to make sure his children wouldn't get harmed and he knew she wouldn't let that happen.
"You will be the death of me one day. Fine. But it is gone as soon as it harms anyone of us!"
"Only when it is on Purpose.", she argued back.
"Milli-"
"Love you too.", and like that she put the cub on the floor next to her and began feeding Lili, ignoring the baffled looks of the man around her.
AN 2.0: Soooo a slightly bigger chapter.
Please let me know what you think!