Chapter Text
Jaskier knew exactly what that letter was going to say. Damned whoever wrote it! He had recognized the seal soon after that letter had landed in his hands. Why did he have to be royalty? He abandoned that life for a specific reason which was: stupidity. Every noble was stupid enough to randomly get killed during a duel, a hunt or a battle, it was for glory they said… For Jaskier all of that was stupid. He believed that the only reason to die for was love.
He barged into the room, messy hair, startled expression and pale skin, he didn’t even mind that the three of them had already started eating supper “What happened?” asked Ciri worried, carefully watching as the bard took seat next to Geralt “Shit happens”
“Jaskier, please. How come you are always so dramatic?” Geralt asked annoyed by his behaviour
“I’m neither dramatic nor exaggerating: if death had a face that would be Uther Pendragon’s one” replied the viscount playing with the food in his plate
“Stop acting like a child and talk to us about the problem” intervened the sorceress putting her elbows on the table and stared at the raven-haired man in curiosity “I received an invitation…” he began before Geralt interrupted him “Well? I see no problem let’s go”
“It’s not that simple” replied the bard scratching nervously his neck “Why? Can’t you play your beloved lute anymore?” retorted the witcher grunting, he really couldn’t understand Jaskier’s behaviour sometimes.
“Speak to us, Jaskier. We are here for you. We help each other” said Ciri taking one of the man’s hand into hers “You’re never afraid to speak so… spill it out” ordered Yennefer smiling encouragingly.
Jaskier sighed “The city I’m invited is not magic friendly” “oh…” “but I cannot possibly go there alone. Usually it was my brother who fought in tournaments but since he is missing the one to compete should be me” Geralt laughed hard “You? Fight? Is the world upside down?” he asked shaking his head
“Well thank for you opinion Geralt but it’s a real problem for me!” Jaskier yelled at the man
“Guys, guys…just keep calm. We need to find a plan” stated the witch looking at the two men.
Geralt laid against his chair and waited for Jaskier to speak “I used to live there when I was little. My brother was trained to be a knight, but I wasn’t, at all. When we left, I was known for my singing talent…they never asked me to fight but since my brother can’t attend, I suppose the place becomes mine”
“You’ll die” replied angrily the witcher “Do you think I don’t know that? I don’t even know how to use a sword properly” retorted the bard crossing his arms.
Ciri smiled “Well, in Cintra there was a rule” the three adults stared at her impatiently “only knights can attend a tournament. You’re no bound to fight, you can name a champion to do it in your place. If a man who’s not able to use a sword properly endangers all the people around him… then is better not to fight at all”
Jaskier smiled happily “That’s magnificent!” “But you cannot possibly go alone. You may be in danger” intervened Yennefer “Not possible. I have no enemies there” explained Jaskier to the sorceress deeply staring into her purple eyes.
“I suggest we all go to Camelot” said Ciri “No, that’s not going to happen. Magic is forbidden and well…we are quite a combination of all types of it”
Yennefer laughed “Don’t worry. We may have a solution for our appearance. I mean, we have survived worst” Jaskier looked at her “We come with you no matter your useless attempts to keep us here”
Jaskier opened his mouth in disbelief “Oh thanks. So, does my opinion have no worth for you?”
“No, I am just saying that we are three against one. Who do you think will prevail in the end?” questioned the woman getting on her feet “Come on Ciri, time to go to bed”
“But I am not tired”
“Little girl, every respectable princess has her amount of sleep and you won’t escape it. Hop hop, in your room now. I’ll be there in ten minutes to check on you” “yes madam” whispered annoyed the teenager leaving the dining room.
“She’s growing Yenn, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed” Geralt stated bringing a pint of ale to his lips.
“I saw that, Mr obvious but we need to discuss about our plan and she is far too smart for Jaskier” “Well…that’s an insult” observed the bard “It was meant to be in fact” added the sorceress smiling
“Quit it you two! I am done with this bickering of yours” Jaskier and Yennefer smiled sheepishly at Geralt’s comment “okay Geralt. We will sleep without you then” said the witch exiting the room
“You agree with her?” asked to his male lover “Who am I to oppose? See you around witcher”
“Jaskier!” called with rough voice the hunter “If the door is locked, you’ll pay as soon as I catch the both of you!” Geralt yelled and his voice echoed through the empty corridors.
“So, how are we going to enter Camelot?” asked Jaskier playing with his lute strings. They were sitting in their shared bedroom after putting Ciri to bed
“I am not for planning” justified himself the witcher
“We know. That’s why I thought about it” announced proudly the sorceress
“Tell the truth Yennefer. Ciri told you one of her romantic and crazy stories” stated the bard “also. But this one was quiet enlightening” explained the sorceress combing her long raven hair “I may be presented as your wife” Geralt growled in disappointment
“Oh come on, it’s not like I am taking her from you!” snapped annoyed the bard “how jealous you can become…” “Jaskier, come here” ordered the witcher.
The bard rolled his eyes, put away his lute and reached for the man on the bed who took the younger into his arms “you’re suffocating me” scoffed “that was my plan”
“Leave him be, Geralt. We’re trying to have a serious conversation” commented the witch turning so that she was now facing them “Okay and Ciri? Who may she be, perhaps our daughter?” Jaskier suggested
“No, she can’t possibly be. She is a female copy of Geralt” said Yennefer “she will be his daughter. You’re a widower and Jaskier personal guard”
“That’s sound reasonable” said Geralt tucking his fingers between Jaskier’s messy hair “so… that’s our plan?” asked the bard yawning “yep. It sounds great to me” exclaimed the sorceress enthusiastically “not to me though” grunted the witcher
“Oh shut up. We can’t plan the rest, Geralt. We are, yeah I suppose we can say it like this, in enemy’s territory” Jaskier laughed turning on his left side and using the witcher’s chest as a pillow “well, we’ll sort things out in a way or the other…”
“And he’s asleep” added Geralt stretching out a hand towards the woman “come, we are all tired after this afternoon training and tomorrow we’ll be off to Camelot” Yennefer smiled and laid next to the witcher
“He’s such a baby sometimes” they both laughed “But we love him just the way he is”
“That’s true. Without him our day would be more boring than usual” concluded the witch
“Blow the candles for me, mmmh?” asked lazily Geralt closing his eyes “Sure. Goodnight, Geralt”
“Night to you too, Yenn” the sorceress laid his head on the man’s shoulder before drifting off to sleep.