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Lambert couldn’t believe this day was here. When Aiden had proposed to him, he did so in the tradition of Ebbing. But he did so with a little bit of Kaedweni flair in honor of Lambert’s background. He had two silver rings fashioned in the Kaedweni love knot, one for each of them. Both lovers wore engagement rings in the Ebbing fashion.
That Winter following their engagement, the two of them parted for their respective Schools. It was difficult being separated for so long after finally agreeing to bind their lives together. The plan was to convince both of their Schools to meet on the Summer Solstice at Loc Monduirn near the Amell Range in Sodden.
Over the course of the Winter with his brothers, Lambert had invited the remaining Wolves to his nuptials. Lambert had expected a little push back, especially from Vesemir, at getting both Schools together to celebrate his marriage. However, even Vesemir was delighted for Lambert and was willing to put hard feelings caused by the Tournament aside to celebrate with the youngest Wolf. Love and someone who is willing to share their life with a Witcher was extremely rare and should be celebrated for the wonder that it was.
Vesemir made new tartan sashes for both Lambert and Aiden. The sashes were in the plaid pattern of primarily cherry red with accented forest green, brown, and black. They would be worn as a belt to cinch the long black tunics that both grooms would wear. The long black tunics were in the Ebbing fashion and tradition but like their engagement rings, Lambert added some Kaedweni tradition with the help of Geralt and Eskel. His two brothers helped him add embroideries in black thread to the tunics.
The brothers had lovingly added to the tunics triquetra knots to symbolize Melitele; spiral knots representing the forces of nature and to Witchers their Signs; oak tree knots for strength; and shield knots to embody the unbreakable barrier and warding off evil spirits. In addition along the collar and edges of the tunic in silver thread was the sailor’s knot.
The sailor’s knot symbolized two ropes intertwined and a bond that cannot be broken. Kaedweni sailors would make the knots on long voyages to remember their loved ones. Lambert loved the sailor knot and its implications. The few times he and Aiden would walk the Path alone in the future he would keep a sailor knot with him in remembrance of his lover.
The day had finally arrived the following Summer and all the Wolves had made it to Loc Monduirn safe and sound. The Dyn Marv had also made it and had set up a large campsite for the marriage ceremony. The caravan had been in the area for about a month and Aiden’s brothers had spread around the area taking what contracts they could in the meantime.
Geralt and Eskel had already been here to see him as he got ready. Eskel gave him a gold floren for his right shoe and a silver ducat for his left shoe. It fulfilled the something borrowed he needed but also was a wish for him to have good fortune and wealth. Geralt had given him a blue wolfsbane flower that he pinned to his chest. While the flower would be considered an ill omen to anyone else, among Witchers it was a vital component of their life and helped to protect them on the Path. Wolfsbane was used in Tawny Owl to give Witchers extended endurance and stamina and could also be used in blade oils.
Both of his brothers had held his face before they left and brushed their foreheads together in the traditional Wolf greetings. They had given him their well wishes and left to give Vesemir time with Lambert before the ceremony. Vesemir came into his tent after his brothers had left. Vesemir took the last few moments before the ceremony to ensure Lambert looked flawless. He tugged the tunic to lay a little better and helped tame his black hair before placing a flower crown made of myrtle on his head.
Myrtle not only represented all things love but also prosperity and good luck. All things that a Witcher needed on the Path but to a Witcher the flowers held a deeper meaning. The flower was used to make Swallow and White Honey, two vital life saving potions that all Witchers kept on hand. To a Witcher, myrtle also symbolized protection from harm. When Vesemir was done placing the flower crown on his head, he grabbed his head in the Wolf greeting. While their heads were pressed together, Vesemir took a deep breath and then smiled.
“I’m proud of you,” Vesemir stated. Lambert’s breath stuttered out in shock and his eyes started to sting with unshed tears.
“Just know that no matter what has happened before between our two schools, I have always approved of Aiden. You and your soon to be husband will always be welcome at Kaer Morhen. You have chosen well. Aiden brings out the man in you that I always knew was in there.” Lambert shakily smiled back, overwhelmed with the genuine feeling in Vesemir’s tone and smell.
“Make sure to leave us word if you will be Wintering with the Dyn Marv,” Vesemir gently reminded his youngest pup. Lambert nodded in agreement.
“It’s time. I’m going to join your brothers outside. Take a deep breath and when you're ready it's time for you and Aiden to walk down the aisle.” Vesemir smiled one last time. His eyes shining with pride as he turned and left to join the other Wolves.
Lambert took one last moment to give himself time to recompose himself, steel his nerves, and make sure he had Aiden’s ring. His brothers had also given their heartfelt words and approval which had already made him emotionally vulnerable. Vesemir’s approval and acknowledgement of his lover and himself had shaken something inside him in a good way. They had been words he had needed to hear though he would never have admitted that to himself.
After taking a deep breath and making sure he was mentally ready, Lambert left his tent to meet with his lover Aiden. The two of them had decided that they would walk down the aisle of Witchers as equals in the Ebbing tradition. His first view of Aiden took his breath away.
Aiden was dressed the same as him but his medium length wavy chocolate brown hair had been tamed. His beard and mustache had been neatly trimmed. His olive skin practically glowed and his smile was practically blinding. His honey gold eyes were shining with warmth and love. Aiden, in this moment, was the best thing he had ever laid eyes on. Nothing else in his life could compare to this moment.
They met and arm in arm they walked down the aisle formed by Aiden’s brothers. They had drawn their silver and steel swords and held them aloft for the two lovers to walk under as they made their way to the lake where they would be joined. Everything from the moment Lambert had seen Aiden was a blur. The excitement and the joy of what was happening made everything fuzzy and distant. The one solid point in the swirling chaos was Aiden who was smiling at him and looking on at him with love.
Before he knew it, the vows were being exchanged.
“Before Melitele and this assembly, I ask Aiden: Will you take Lambert to be your husband and love him in distress and pleasure?” Vesemir asked.
Without hesitation, Lambert could see and hear crystal clear Aiden’s response as he placed Lambert’s ring on his finger where it belonged. “I do.”
Guxart turned to Lambert.
“Lambert before Melitele and this assembly, I ask: Will you take Aiden to be your husband to love him in distress and pleasure?” Guxart asked.
With a slight tremor in his voice from overwhelming emotion, Lambert spoke the words that would officially bond him to Aiden in the eyes of their friends and family as he slipped Aiden’s ring onto his finger. “I do.”
Never had Lambert been so sure of something as he was now. Aiden was beaming at him with eyes lit up in joy and the largest smile. This was meant to be.
“In witness by all those present, we now pronounce you bound in matrimony. You may kiss your husband,” Guxart and Vesemir said in unison.
Immediately, Aiden launched himself at Lambert and kissed him energetically. Lambert returned the kiss with equal fervor. It was official. They were now one. Things started to blur again with the overwhelming emotions he was feeling. The one solid fixed point in all of this remained Aiden.
They stumbled down the aisle as myrtle petals rained down on them. Then came a feast. Witchers so rarely had reasons to celebrate so when they did they went all out. There was no fighting. Both Schools had laid their differences aside for the celebrations. Both sides were equally happy for their brothers.The food at the feast was delicious. Some of Aiden’s brothers had gone hunting and brought down a couple of wild boars that everyone was able to feast on. There were potatoes that were being roasted in their skins with salt and butter. There were even sweet treats for everyone.
The liquor flowed freely as well. The best wines from Touissaint including Everluce, Est Est, and Beauclaire White had been provided from some of the Cat Witchers personal stashes. The Wolves brought the harder liquors from the North such as Temerian Rye and Cherry Cordial. The Wolves had also brought a fair amount of Lambert’s personally made liquor stock that mixed White Gull with other liquors. It was Lambert’s gift to his lover and his family. Among the Cats, Lambert had become known as the one to go to if you were looking for good drinks that would get you drunk. He made sure there would be plenty for his new brothers to get trashed on if they so chose at his and Aiden’s wedding.
Aiden’s gift to his family had been a bit more long lasting. He had gifted each of the Wolves a silver knife done in the Wolf style but with Cat symbols on them. It was Aiden’s way of saying they were now family and he would be there to protect his family whenever they needed him. The symbolic gesture had not been lost on his family who had been deeply touched. They had touched foreheads and embraced Aiden in the Wolf style acknowledging him as part of their Pack.
As the liquor flowed, there were many speeches from anyone who wanted to share an anecdote or well wish to the couple. Many of the Cats did acrobatic performances. Music was being played by some of the more musically talented of the Witchers. Dancing occurred with many brothers dancing arm in arm with each other.
As the day finally turned to night, a giant bonfire was lit and the party continued on. Eventually, Lambert and Aiden were drawn into a circle dance around the bonfire. The two of them danced with their brethren laughing the whole time. The joy on their faces was plain to see for anyone who looked.
The feasting and dancing went on far longer than Lambert and Aiden were a part of the party. They eventually took their leave and arm in arm walked to their now shared tent as a married couple. There they took their time in making love to each other before the excitement of the day wore them out.
As they lay together, Lambert curled onto Aiden’s chest, Aiden asked, “Was it everything you wanted?”
Lambert sighed happily, content being held in his husband’s arms.
“At the end of it all, I just wanted you. So yes. So long as you’re by my side I will always be happy and lucky because I have you.”