In the Eye of the Wolf Chapter 9, a witcher fanfic

CHAPTER 10 - RIDDLE

Roni

The sharp, freezing wind cut deep into my bones as I'm following the path to the woods. It is foggy and murky. Gray ash falling from the sky, slowly but surely covering the ground. I look around , but I see nothing familiar. I have no idea where I am or what I am doing here, but somehow I'm sure I have to keep going on to find something or someone.

It is very important. A matter of life or death.

All that is gold does not glitter

Suddenly I hear the voice again echoing in the air. I stop in midstride, searching for the source.

Not all those who wander are lost.

"Where are you?" I ask turning around to check all directions.

The old that is strong dos not wither
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

"Show yourself!" I raise my voice getting desperate, but I see no one.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring
Renewed shall be blade that was broken
The crownless again shall be Queen.*

I close my eyes as I listen to him, trying to lean on all my other senses but my vision. Maybe I can catch something telling, something that would revile this person's identity.

Remember, Roni. Remember and find me.

He adds and his voice is coming from a greater distant now.

"Wait! What should I remember?" I ask one last question urgently but the scene slowly fades away and I find myself back in the palace.

It was a dream.

What the bloody hell is that suppose to mean?

I sat up in my bed, hiding my face in my palm for a few seconds. Things are getting worse. Now I know that the voice at the party was real, not just my exhausted mind, playing tricks. At least it's too much of a co-incidence.

I have to talk to Geralt. The sooner, the better.

He said he has to talk to Mousesack before returning to me, so I stayed to rest, before we leave to Kaer Morhen.

I know, it would be easier to wait for him here, but that never was my strong suit. Besides, Geralt was the one who said he wants to know every little thing that happens to me. And I think it fits the description more than well.

I get up immediately and even though I feel a bit dizzy at first, I manage quite decently on my two feet.

I wander through the corridors following my suspicion about their location and I find the two man soon.

They are having a heated discussion about something, so I decide to wait behind a pillar, of course, close enough to hear them.

"Geralt, isn't it clear that Roni has access to immense primal power?" Mousesack says lowering his voice and I hear Geralt's annoyed groan.

My heart starts racing in my chest. They are talking about me. Finally. I might find some answers here.

"I don't think she's ready to control it" Mousesack adds sounding genuinely worried.

"She learnt a lot, she will be fine" Geralt says with not too much reassurance.

"She should stay here" Mousesack introduces the idea.

I have to put my palm over my mouth not to yelp in disagreement. There is no fucking way I let Geralt leave me to someone else again. He made a promise, I kept my end of the bargain, spent years with learning from Triss. That's where this whole magic story ends.

"She can master it with Pavetta. I'll be here, to guide her." The mage builds his case cleverly.

"You're a good man, Mousesack." Geralt sighs eventually.

I can't help but peak out a bit. He is backwards to me as he places his hand on the mage's shoulder before continuing.

"But it's not going to happen" The Witcher closes the dispute adamantly.

"You should stay too." Mousesack tries with a different strategy now. "Roni is definitely stronger than our Princess, who knows what she is capable of. Think about the possibilities!"

"She can handle more than you think." He dismisses Mousesack's concerns confidently. "That was enough partying for the both of us. We are getting out of here as soon as she's strong enough" Geralt declares persistently.

"So you say" He accepts it eventually as I an involuntary smile creeps across my face. I knew I can trust Geralt!

Then I hear the Witcher's low growl of disbelief.

"Did I pass the test?" He asks loudly, addressing the question obviously to me, just noticing my presence in hall. I support my head to the pillar before stepping into the light. I'm not proud of eavesdropping, but I didn't have to do it if they told me the truth at the first place...

"With perfect score" I admit it still smiling, walking up to them. I beckon to Mousesack slightly, then I turn back to Geralt more seriously. "We need to talk. Alone" I add as Mousesack clears his throat.

"I'll leave you to it" The mage nods understanding, walking away discreetly.

We leave soon too, getting back to my room. These things are better kept private.

Geralt

I rub my face feeling despondent. Did any conversation starting with 'we need to talk' ever ended good anyway?

I had a hunch it is a serious matter, but what Roni just told me... Fuck! It's even worse.

"Geralt?" Roni calls me and I can easily tell, she is lost an confused. "What's happening to me?"

I shake my head cluelessly. I don't want to scare her with theories when I don't actually have any proof. I'm really not sure what's exactly this is about.

"I'm not-" I start reluctantly, but she cuts me off impatiently right at the moment.

"Then what do you suspect? There must be something you think of" She corrects herself almost panicking. "No more lies, please. Not even white ones" She adds quietly and as hard as it is to admit, she is right. She deserves full honesty, even if it's not too bright.

"Are you familiar with the power of Elder Blood?" I ask her eventually, looking into her eyes. I see she is searching in his memories, then she slightly shakes her head.

"It's ancient elven magic, isn't it?" She makes a decent guess. "I know Triss told me about it, but history was never my strongest suit."

"It's a genetic program initiated by elven mages" I nod agreeing. "They wanted to create an extraordinarily gifted child whose power would exceed their own. According to the prophecy, the Child of Elder Blood will one day save the elves from annihilation." I continue slowly, letting the information settle. "However, the last carrier bonded with a human instead of an elf, thus shattering all plans regarding her offspring." I sum up the story in nutshell.

"Are you saying-" She starts, trying to wrap her mind around the idea "Is that mean that I-" She rephrases it, putting the pieces together.

"Just like Pavetta" I confirm her suggestion. "Well, more than Pavetta."

"How?"

"Pavetta's grandmother and mother had the gene. However, Calanthe's is dormant, it didn't stop her from passing it on to her daughter. The threat to Duny activated it, causing the eruption of force." I note what I know for sure. "About you... That's why I asked about your parents." I confess.

I knew many tried to track the bloodline, yet for a real check we had to wait till we arrive to Kaer Morhen. Hopefully we will find some sources and books there.

Nonetheless, the urge to get to Kaer Morhen as fast as possible isn't because of some old papers.

"Alright" She folds her arms around her chest and leans back to the wall, looking concerned.

"What I'm more worried about, Ron, are your dreams" I continue reaching out for her hand instinctively. I want to feel her close, that she is here and alright. I am terrified to the core what her visions could mean.

"Why?" She leans forward, embracing my hand in hers warmly, probably sensing my deep trouble. "Who do you think it is?" She asks openly, as her delicate fingers caress over my hand, trying to comfort me.

How should I break it down to her that the most bloodthirsty, fearsome elven commander might be after her?

"Eredin Bréacc Glas" I say his name to start with. "King of the Wild Hunt, an infamous elven battalion, ready to fight and follow its leader anywhere. Eredin is obsessed with that prophecy of the child and I'm afraid he's willing to do whatever it takes to get it" I explain, feeling the tension of anxiety building up in me. Fucking bastard thinks he have anything to do with Roni? He couldn't be more wrong. I'll fight till the end, and I know Vesemir and the others will help too. In Kaer Morhen we will be safe.

"What exactly does he want from me?" Roni asks barely audible. My words got to her and I managed to scare her.

Nice work, Geralt!

"Using your abilities some sort of way" I answer carefully. "But it doesn't matter, Ron, because I'm not letting him anywhere near you, you hear me?" I quickly add ensuring. "I promise" I vow genuinely, locking eyes with her. "I promise" I repeat it murmuring while I adjust her hair back behind her ear.

A relieved, insightful smile spreads across her face before she folds her arms around my neck.

"I know" She says, her body snuggling close up to mine. "I trust you" She adds and I realize, she truly means it.

I let out an exhausted breath, finally feeling at peace again even if it's for a few moments. I tighten my arms around her waist relishing these few stolen seconds of tranquility.

I deeply inhale her calming orange and jasmine scent. I can sense her ribs moving up and down as she breathes evenly, her hair gently tickling my face and her upper arms lightly pressing on my shoulders.

She is here, unharmed. Nothing is lost. Whatever is about to happen, we can get through this together.

"When are we going?" She asks loosening the hug.

"In the morning, when you feel strong enough." I answer, reminding myself not to push her for a quick start, not even if we have to get to Vesemir as fast as possible. She needs rest.

"It's fine, we can go now." She says just like reading my mind. "I know you want to and I had enough of this place already." She tries to part from me, but I grab her hand.

"Roni, no. Tomorrow will be perfect. You are not missing out anything" I try to convince her, however I'm pretty sure it's futile.

"Why of course I am" She disagrees with a smug smile. "I'd really like to meet your mentor I've heard so much about" She notes triumphantly as I let her go to pack.

I can't help but feeling excited too. I haven't been home for quite a while now. It will be great to share this reunion with Roni this time!