AN: Sorry that it took so long to post another chapter, but I had a writing block and then no time to write. But now I was finally able to do so-hope you like it!
His-Lady-Outlaw: Glad you like it and welcome to the story :)
Him becoming a father was more or less a spontaneous idea, but I think it turned out well :)
„Where the heck is my shoe? How the fuck can a left shoe disappear on its own?", Vesemir grumbled, walking around the great hall searching. Like everyone dressed in thick clothes and furs.
"Getting memory loss old man? Where did you see it last?", Eskel teased his mentor.
"Shut it Boy. It was there when I laid down to take a nap and when I woke up it was gone.", the older Witcher bite back.
"Haven´t seen it, sorry. Maybe it slipped beneath the bed?", Milli piped up from where she was feeding Kili some puree she had made. Thankfully the two of them where both able to eat real food now. She was glad, the breastfeeding was exhausting her to no end.
"I already checked there! It´s gone.", the owner groaned.
That was when a big mountain of fur moved closer, his head hung low in shame, catching everybody´s attention.
"I think Fili has something for you.", Letho laughed upon seeing the leather sticking out of the bears mouth, Lili laughing happily on his lap.
Upps.
"Give it to me you stupid bear! I swear if you destroyed it, I – You are worse than a fucking dog!", he hissed nearly ripping the shoe out of the cub`s mouth. Though Fili let it drop in his hand at once.
"Don't be that harsh. See he is already sorry.", the mother scolded the old man, motioning for the bear.
"It´s soaked. He better keeps his mouth away from it and my other things!", and with that he turned around and left. The bear shuffled towards Milli to rest his big head on his knees seeking refuge, looking at her with sad eyes. His nose was gently nuzzling Kili´s face like a dog would do and the toddler happily gurgled.
Lili, who was sitting on the Vipers lab opposite to them, reached out for the huge ball of fur, struggling against the man´s hold.
"Looks like the little Lili is jealous of the attention Kili gets from Fili.", the Witcher laughed.
Eskel shook his head in disbelieve on how much the bear behaved like a dog and not like an apex predator.
He remembered one time he had prepared himself a hot bath after an exhausting day of readying the castle for the winter, when he had to get something out of his room. When he had returned, the floor was wet and the big ball of fur was sitting in the basin; tongue hanging out and looking very proud and happy. Or when he wanted to cuddle (while the Witchers slept or relaxed during the day) and climbed on the laps and bodies of the men like a little lapdog would do. Only that he wasn't one and Milli was barely (mostly not at all) able to supress her laughter. He had grown quite a bit since he began living in the castle and now reached the men´s hips while standing on all fours and even though it was winter, he not once went into hibernation.
She trained him to stay in the great hall and not to go up the stairs (after the bath incident) and so he stayed at the foot of the stairs during the night, guarding them. His fur (even though it was blond) caused most of the men to not see him in the mornings when they walked down to start their days (and feed the fire that kept the great hall from freezing over) and so every other morning curses echoed through the old hallways of the castle when once again someone half asleep stumbled over him. He would greet them every time with a wet doggy-kiss when that happened.
The twins were now big and old enough to crawl around (in their fur sleeping bags -those that left the arms free) and they did that whenever possible. Their favourite destination: the big fluffy bear.
The two of them loved to climb on him and play with his hair. Fili holding still the whole time.
Lambert had gotten to terms with the big furball during the cold months, even though he was still weary of him when he was too close to his children, fearing he might squash them accidentally with his body or turn and bite them.
But it never happened, and the father had to admit the bear listened (well) to the commands Milli was teaching him.
She had trained him to sit, lay down and follow; as well as fetching things like shoes and bowls and bring them to whoever send him off to do so.
"What got the old man´s knickers in a twist?", Lambert asked stepping closer to the young mother, before placing a kiss on her lips. Since the day Fili had became the mascot of Kaer Morhen, neither of the parents had talked about what they were exactly. The two of them simply were Lili´s and Kili´s parents who loved each other. There was just no label on them. There was just no need for it. They belonged to each other and the important people in their lives knew that (even though Milli wished she could let her friends and family know some time).
"Fili stole on of his shoes while he was napping.", the mother explained with a smile, "Fili was sorry, though."
"Was the shoe destroyed?", he asked, grabbing a piece of bread to eat.
"Nope, just wet. Vesemir will come around soon, I just know he loves or at least likes Fili.", she explained, watching Fili move to snuggle against Lili.
"If you say so.", he chuckled, taking Kili from his brother before sitting down next to her.
"What are you going to do today?", the asked the assembled Witchers.
"Checking the parameter, the snow will be disappeared fully soon and then the beasts and monsters will come out of hibernation and hiding again. Vesemir will stay back and remake oils and potions. What about you?"
"I think I will check on the basins in the basement and then the usual: cook, tent to the furs, watch the kids.", you sighted already sounding bored.
"I will wash my clothes tonight. Will do yours and the kid´s as well.", the father declared, before kissing her again, sounding sorry about the fact that she would do the same like every other day.
"Thank you, Lambert.", Eskel shouted from his seat, where he was sharpening one of his many knives.
"Wasn´t talking to you idiot! You can wash your own stuff.", Lambert snapped back with a growl.
"But I don't want to. Please?", he whined.
"Yeah. Please Lambert?", Letho piped in, jumping on the opportunity.
"Fuck you two.", he glared.
"And don't even try to ask me. I will already be cooking for you and have no time or desire to do clean after you.", Milli intervened before the two men could ask her.
"What will you make.", Letho asked, putting the wiggling infant on the floor, who snuggled into the bears fur at once.
"Stew, some fresh fish or crab – roasted and potatoes. By the way, I am all for getting a cow and a bull to breed them. That way we can have milk – and fresh meat occasionally.", she explained playing with her son (who had grabbed some of her blue hair).
"Are you trying to start a farm?", Letho chuckled, shaking his head.
"Maybe? Come on, it will be cheaper in the long run and I and the kids won´t be able to go to a market every few weeks to get provisions. Other than moving to a village, there won´t be any other way. I already spoke with Vesemir about starting a garden with herbs and vegetables and trees and he said he would help me.", she explained, and the looks on the male faces knew she was right, "And truth is, I don't really want to move somewhere else. I like it here, it feels like home. Minus the things that want to eat and kill me, of course."
Lambert wanted to say something, but that moment their teacher returned and send them off to do their duties of the day.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Milli had visited Vesemir in the stables (he was too stubborn to ask her for help cleaning them), bringing hot tea (that was cooled down by the time she arrived at his side) before letting the bear play in the snow that was covering the courtyard and joining the man for a little break. The twins tucked into thick blankets and furs, sleeping in their basket, that she had placed on a pile of hay.
"I heard what you had said to the boys earlier.", he spoke up between bites.
"What exactly?"
"With you being at home here and that you want a cow and a bull."
"Oh that. Well, it´s true. This is my home- now. And there are no villages close enough by to get fresh milk every other day."
"I know what you mean, it´s just- this is no place to raise children. This area is literally riddled with monsters. Monsters that would have no problem with hunting down any livestock that would enter this area, nor would they hesitate going after you and the little boggers."
"That might be true. But this whole world is riddled with monsters. Our chances of survival are best here. And tell me, what village would accept a Witcher, a woman with blue hair and their children in their mists. And even thought Lambert almost hate being what he is, he doesn't know any other life and he won´t be happy caught in one. Neither of you would. You all would get bored."
"But still. Promise me, should there be a way to life a live away from this stony grave, you will take it.", he said, suddenly sounding old and tired.
What the- why are you –
"I promise- but only if you do the same. Should we do that, you are all welcome there- you all are family.", you smiled taking the empty cup from the old man´s hands, "As soon as you are finished, there will be hot stew waiting for you. You mind if I leave Fili out here with you? He seems to have fun and I need to get the twins back into the warmth."
"Let the little spawn of hell have some more fun. I will get him inside once I am done here.", he smiled, and you grinned. He liked the pup, just didn't want to admit it.
That had been around four hours ago, and she started to worry for the old man. It was cold outside, and she feared he had stumbled and was now freezing to death.
Better take a look.
Opening the huge doors, she looked around until she heard the distinct laughter of the teacher and growling of the bear. Turning around the corner to the main courtyard, her eyes fell onto the sign of a disturbed field of snow, with two big figures rolling in it.
Are they playing?- They are- better let them. Let´s get the food ready.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
The three younger Witcher had returned when the sun started to disappear behind the mountains. It was obvious to the two left behind, that they were cold and so they had warm soup in their hands before they were even able to properly enter the great hall. Fili had informed Milli and Vesemir about the men´s arrival, sitting in front of the closed doors.
"Warm water is already ready if you want to warm up and I will put the meat over the fire now. Put your cloaks and furs next to the fire to dry and grab a pair of warm ones to change into so you don't get a cold.", the young female ordered the men like a worried mother would.
"Will do, thank you Milli.", Letho sighted, already changing in one of his spare clothes, "That warmth feels good."
"No problems. How are the monsters? Staying away I hope.", she casually asked, grabbing Lambert´s spare shirt and giving it to him.
"They do- for now. Only a few wolves were close to the castle. We came across a pack of three hounds the hunt must have left behind, but we were able to kill them fast. A fiend is apparently roaming the north end of the lake but should stay far enough that we don't need to take care of it. The draconids and griffins are not returned yet, as it is for most of them. Though the air is getting warmer and the snow should start melting within the next three weeks.", Eskel answered the question between spoons of soup.
"Sounds good to me. Though we need to keep an eye on the hounds. Not that there are any more left.", Vesemir hummed.
"Where are Kili and Lili?", the father asked, sitting down next to the mother.
"Sleeping in their crib. Now eat, I can hear your stomachs curse from here."
AN2.0: So, what do you think will happen now? Will the family hit the road as soon as the snow is gone, or will Milli and the kids stay at the castle with Vesemir?
Thank you all for reading and until next time :) Don't forget to let me know what you think ;)