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One would say, nowadays Vesemir led a happy and peaceful life. He ultimately retired from his Witcher life, having the perspective to die in his bed. He was reunited with his lover, lived in a nice house and had neighbours that respected him.
Ciri was alive and now ruled Nilfgaard. Geralt and Yennefer had retreated to Corvo Bianco in Toussaint. Geralt mostly accepted contracts that were close by. They were happy.
But was Vesemir happy? He knew he should be. However, he wasn't, not fully. Too much was lost. Well, some would say it was only two people, two Witchers that had died, but Vesemir had seen those two Witchers grow up. Had seen them get scars, had up and downs, had heard them talk about friends and romantic encounters. While Vesemir would never say it out loud, he felt for them like a father would for their sons. And which parent wanted to outlive their children?
Eskel's death had been unnecessary and Vesemir still blamed himself. The scarred Wolf had been overwhelmed by Warriors of the Wild Hunt and neither he or Geralt had been fast enough to come to his aid.
Lambert, the youngest Wolf, had sacrificed himself. First he had saved Ciri from the frost then he had looked death in the form of Imlerith right in the eye and if he believed what Ciri told them, which there was no reason not to, he had not shown fear. No, Lambert had grinned. Then Imlerith had just snapped his neck and thrown him away, like he was trash. Just thinking about it made Vesemir angry and wanting to kill Imlerith all over again.
If he could choose, if he could relive that day all over again, Vesemir would try his best to prevent those two from dying. Even if that meant his own death. They deserved to live. They deserved a chance to live a happy and peaceful life as he did right now. Just like he got the chance. Maybe they deserved it even more than he did.
However, there was no use in thinking about it. Vesemir knew this. He couldn't turn back time. Couldn´t assure that all his pups survived the encounter with the Wild Hunt.
Obviously that didn't change the fact that those thoughts, this wish, came to him from time to time. Just like now. He had to distract himself, before he could get totally lost in them
So the old retired Witcher stood up from his seat at the window. It was time to buy some groceries anyway.
Like most days the market place was full of people. Some were in a hurry to get first to a stand, some just in a hurry to get it done with so they could go home. Some people took their time, looking around. It was loud too. Conversations were held, merchants were yelling to get attention, arguments ongoing about prices. It always gave Vesemir a headache if he stayed too long. Thankfully he didn't need much. A few vegetables, a good salami and maybe he would buy a good wine if he saw one.
It was when Vesemir had everything he needed and actually wanted to go home, that he saw a strange merchant. He wasn't trying to pull attention, had his stand a bit away from the rest. There was nothing special about him. The merchant himself looked like a normal simple man from where Vesemir stood.
Maybe that was what made him curious as he went to check what this man had to sell. Whatever it was, Vesemir felt strangely drawn to him.
When he got closer, he saw that the merchant seemed to sell all kinds of clocks.
Said mechant smiled at him. “Well, well, if that isn't exactly the customer I was looking for.”
Vesemir raised an eyebrow. While it probably wasn't an unusual thing to say for a merchant, something about how it was said, gave him the feeling it was more than just an empty phrase.
“I don't need a clock.” Vesemir finally said, yet making no move to leave.
The merchant´s smile only widened. “Oh,but you do! I even go further and say you desire one.”
“Desire? Are we still talking about clocks?” the Witcher asked warily.
“Of course! Because what is a clock if not a symbol of time?” retorted the merchant, “And while time may just be a concept, it is a quite meaningful one to a lot of people, am I right? Who hasn't wished at least once to control it? Had the desire to turn time back?”
Now Vesemir was rendered speechless. This merchant´ s words hitting too close to home. Of course it could be just a coincidence, because it was true, many people, if not everyone has thought about it at least once in their life.
As the Witcher didn't reply, the merchant continued, “And, you know, I think I have the perfect clock for you!”
The merchant didn´t take a clock from a table but out of his own pocket. It was smaller than any clock Vesemir had seen so far, but other than that it didn't seem special.
Not wanting to show his curiosity Vesemir simply questioned:”And what exactly made you think this clock is for me?”
“It´s a special one.” was the answer he received, “Legends say, if your wish to return to a certain time is strong enough it will take you there. As often as you need.”
Only thanks to countless years of being an active Witcher Vesemir managed to mask his shock and surprise. How did this merchant know such things about him? He's never seen this man. Though, again, it could be a coincidence. A lucky guess of a merchant.
“Do you truly think I believe such legends?” Vesemir got out after a moment of silence.
“Does it hurt trying out?”
The Witcher crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Well, have you tried it?”
“No.” the merchant replied honestly, “I have no desire to travel to the past.”
Again Vesemir raised an eyebrow. “Didn´t you basically say before that everyone has the desire to turn back time?”
“Exceptions confirm the rule.” the merchant explained with a wink.
“Or you just know that it doesn't work.” Vesemir stated. “What is this thing supposed to cost anyway? If it´s so special I guess you want a big sum for it.”
The answer came immediately:”You get it for free.”
Vesemir blinked, stunned. “What?”
“You heard me right.” the merchant chuckled, “I am not interested in your coin.”
“What kind of merchant are you that you give such a supposedly valuable item away for free.” Vesemir asked skeptically.
“I am not giving it to anyone for free, but to you. Because you need and want it. But don't worry I don't do my business like this everyday.” the merchant replied. “Furthermore, let me tell you this, I do get paid in a way. Although not in a materialistic one. As I know somebody´s not going to be happy about this arrangement.”
This did not do much to erase the Witcher´s concern. “Did you steal it?”
“No. However, said person is not happy about this clock's existence in general and would rather have it destroyed, than having somebody use it.” was the explanation, “And since I don´t have a need for it, I give it to you.”
“Do you really hate this person so much that you rather give the clock away than keep it in case you need it?” Vesemir wondered.
“I don't really hate them, I just like to annoy them from time to time.” the merchant said with a grin, “You need to stop overthinking and enjoy the opportunity it gives you.” The merchant suddenly reached over the table and grabbed Vesemir´s wrist, to just put the clock in the surprised Witcher´s hand.
Vesemir looked at the clock in his hand. It looked still so normal and small. Could it really be magical? Nevertheless an item that held such powerful magic, like time magic? It seemed barely possible and in all his life he had never heard of an artifact even similar to this.
He looked up again, wanting to give it back or at least ask more questions, but his eyes widened as he saw that the merchant, including the stand were now gone.
He looked around, but there was truly no evidence that the merchant ever had been there in the first place. Well, except the little clock in Vesemir´s hand.
Lost in thoughts about the encounter, what it could mean, who this merchant had been, what was up with that clock, Vesemir finally went home.
He didn't tell his partner anything about it, acted like nothing was wrong. He even hid the clock.
Only when he was alone he took it out of his pocket again. He examined it carefully. He couldn't help but wonder if the strange merchant, if he even had been a merchant in the first place, had told him the truth. But why him? Why would somebody give this to him? Did somebody want him to change the past? But that was ridiculous, right?
Vesemir sighed. It probably had just been a stupid joke. Maybe the man had been a sorcerer and either disliked Witchers or it had been coincidence that it had been him.
As the Witcher ran a finger over the clock's side, he could feel a little bump he hadn't noticed before. At closer examination he discovered that there was a little, what looked like, button.
Something told him he should push it. It was a similar feeling like when he felt drawn to that strange merchant back on the market. So, against better judgment but with the sudden overwhelming hope that the clock actually worked and he could change the past, make sure Eskel and Lambert lived, he pushed the button.
After he did so he the pointers of the clock started turning incredibly fast. As though hypnotized Vesemir watched them, until he felt lightheaded. Then a tingling feeling started in his whole body. Just a moment later there was a bright light flash, blinding Vesemir. When the Witcher could see again and felt no longer dizzy, he was no longer in his house he shared with his lover. No, he was in Kaer Morhen.
It only took him walking to the entrance hall to figure out he really was in the past, as he saw Lambert there. Seeing him made the old Witcher´s heart ache. It took all his willpower to not run over and pull the young Wolf into a hug.
Seeing Lambert alive and muttering to himself as he made bombs just made Vesemir´s determination to change the outcome stronger.
The first try didn't work.
While Eskel survived this time, Lambert still died.
Vesemir didn't even wait for the funeral, as he did not want to go through this again, before he hurried in his room. Hoping it would work just as before, he pushed the button of the clock again.
A few moments later he again stood in his room in Kaer Morhen three days before the battle.
The second try didn't work either, neither did the fourth or fifth. After that Vesemir decided not to count. He had more important things to focus on.
It had been easy to assure Eskel survived. Lambert however, kept on dying.
Vesemir tried again and again, resetting the time each time he failed. He grew more desperate with every try, slowly losing hope. Was Lambert's death set in stone, he wondered. Could he not save both? No! He wouldn't accept that.
Too many tries later for any person to stay sane, Vesemir was now sure he knew what he had to do.
One last try. That was gonna be it. This time Lambert would survive, he was sure of it. Both Eskel and Lambert would. If not, well, at least Vesemir was sure he tried every option to reach the outcome he wanted.
The fighting in the battle itself happened nearly automatically by now for Vesmir. But most important to him was that now, close to the climax of it, both Eskel and Lambert were alive. One had been saved by Ciri the other by Geralt. Everything worked according to plan.
Vesemir knew exactly what was about to happen, so he got into position, and only a second later Yennefer´s shield fell and the Wild Hunt broke through. The Frost swept over the place and froze everything in its way.
Like Lambert had done so many times before, Vesemir now was the one, who jumped and pulled Ciri into safety, preventing both her and himself from being frozen.
Vesemir was relieved when he saw Lambert being frozen as well, because he had ended in a similar situation a few times before, with the difference that Lambert had made it to safety as well. Every time it had ended in the young Wolf dying again.
Vesemir kept fighting and made sure Ciri would survive this. Until he was pressed against the wall with a hand around his neck. He had seen Lambert in this position more than once. He knew what was soon going to happen. He was not afraid. He was happy. Finally he was about to get the outcome he had wished for so much.
He smiled at Ciri and said:”You always were an unruly child. I adored that about you. Now Fly!”
Then, with a dagger, Imlerith had been unaware of, Vesemir stabbed him.
Like planned, like it was meant to be, Imlerith angrily snapped his neck in reaction.
“It was worth it.” was the old Witcher´s last thought.
Of course Vesemir got a funeral just as Eskel and Lambert had in timelines neither of them were aware of.
Not far away from this event, yet still out of sight, stood an old looking man. White hair, white long beard and simple clothes. He was barely moving as he observed the funeral.
Only as a vulture suddenly landed in the tree next to him, he looked away. As his eyes landed on the large bird the man scoffed.
“I should have known you would show up sooner or later.”
The vulture jumped from the tree in response. As it landed on the ground it had transformed into a woman. She looked young and her hair was as black as her long coat, while her skin looked unhealthy pale.
“And I assume you wished I'd show up later? Preferably when you are gone?” the woman asked with a bright smile.
“Yes. As you have become as insufferable as your Mirror-friend.” was the answer.
The woman rolled her eyes but never stopped smiling.”So you are aware that this little, hm, change of plan was O´Dimm´s doing.”
The man looked back at the funeral. “Of course. I am not stupid. The lengths he is willing to go just to mess with me are ridiculous.”
The woman shrugged. “Well, that's what happens when you get in his way. And since he can't really kill you, he is going to annoy you until he grows bored of it.”
“You did that more than once and he left you alone.”
“It's different and you know that.” was the simple reply. “Furthermore, he was kind of just doing his job. He fulfills people's desires. Though to be fair, it's questionable how fulfilled Vesemir´s wish is.”
The man furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?” he asked.
The woman now too looked at the funeral, her eyes fixed on one Witcher. “He didn´t only want his little wolves to survive, but for them to live a happy life.”
“And?” the man demanded, “Did you look into their future and it turns out they don 't have a happy and fulfilled life? Nothing much can be done there.”
Again the woman rolled her eyes. “No, my power doesn't exactly work like that.” she said. “However, in order to assure both Lambert and Eskel live, Vesemir had to die himself. And grief is an awful thing. It can kill somebody in a more cruel way than any Warrior of the Wild Hunt can.”
“So you think one of them is going to end their life because they can't deal with their mentor's death?”
“Sometimes somebody can be dead while still being alive.” she replied, still looking straight ahead, observing.
The man followed her eyes and noticed she was looking at the youngest Wolf. Lambert. He stood distanced, staring at nothing at all.
“Well, in the first timeline Lambert died and Vesemir´s wish to change that drove him to his actions.” he told her, “Now Vesemir took his place. Only time will tell to what action it will lead the young Wolf.”
The woman chuckled, making him look at her, all the seriousness of her from before already gone.
“You know, I always think it's a bit funny, when you say time, Father Time .” she stated and grinned at him.
It was his turn to roll his eyes. Instead of commenting on it however, he said:”Vesemir´s actions have not caused any problems. I came here to make sure of that. It didn't matter who died, as long as the person was important to Cirilla.”
Without saying anything else and before the woman could answer, Father Time just disappeared.
The woman sighed but then shrugged. She looked back to the funeral. Her eyes falling again on Lambert.
She smiled, a plan forming in her head.
“Well, maybe I should make sure an old Witcher's wish gets fulfilled.”