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Roach had been Geralt's first companion. As a boy Geralt always felt like an outcast with his brothers, but one thing that always calmed him down no matter what was going out with the horses. When Geralt and Roach came to be companions Geralt was only twelve.
Roach had been his friend since that moment. He found her, a wild foal with her legs in a rabbit trap. The young horse stomped her legs which only trapped her further within. Geralt went to work quickly freeing the whinnying filly, he cut the wires of the trap being sure to stay clear of her skinny legs. He then unwrapped the wire from around her legs. "Pretty girl," he whispered offering her part of the apple he had been eating on his walk through the woods. The filly nibbled on the apple before finishing it for herself, she hesitantly followed him back to Kaer Mohren where he brought her to the stables and cleaned her wound. For days on end he would spend as much time in the stables with her as he could.
Eventually she grew used to him, and the other horses in the stables. "I'm going to name you Płotka, Roach for short."
The filly stomped her feet in agreement. Lambert the young rascal was running by when Geralt decided the name. "Roach for a horse?"
"It's her name," Geralt argued with his brother, the young man laughed but didn't continue to pry into his brothers strange life choices. "Roach is her name."
"Alright brother, Roach is your horses name." Lambert agreed with him.
Geralt smiled, pleased he finally got his brother to see sense. Lambert headed off and ignored the naming of the horse Geralt had nursed back to health. As time went by and Geralt got ready to go on the path his companion would become Roach. He always feared she would get hurt or injured by one of the many monsters he came across in his path. He also worried about where she would be during his fights. However Roach seemed to be much braver then he gave her credit for. Geralt often had strange dreams of the battle horse to pick up a sword with her mouth one day and stab someone. However he knew that would never happen, it was a funny thing to wake up from however.
As he continued to grow and accidently claimed a child surprise she continued to stay by his side. Wherever he needed to go Roach was always there by his side.
Jaskier often asked to ride her, at first without even realizing it he was worried Roach wouldn't like Jaskier or Jaskier wouldn't like roach. Eventually however he agreed to allow him to ride his trusty steed even while he walked. It made him happy to see two souls he cared a lot about become close.
A lot of people didn't understand Roach and Geralt, to many people Roach was just a horse but Roach had never just been a horse to him. Roach was family, Roach was his. She was special, brave, and strong. She could run faster then any horse he had ever met, and she never seemed to fear half the creatures Geralt went up against. He always made sure she ate good, and had a warm place to rest when they got from town to town.
When Ciri finally came to be his officially he knew exactly where he wanted Ciri to ride when they journeyed. Roach was his greatest companion and one of the creatures he trusted most with his valuables and those he cared for. Roach, the trusty steed she is, became Ciri's horse. Geralt knew if there was ever danger Roach would protect her. Roach may not have sword skills, and she may not be able to speak, but Roach cared. Roach was strong, and Roach was brave. Geralt knew if he ever felt Ciri was in danger all he had to do was tell Roach to run and keep her safe.
Roach would listen.
One night while they sat around a fire Roach circled their camp as if she was taking a watch. Geralt began to brush her mane while Jaskier sang Ciri to sleep and Yennefer covered the girl up with her blanket. "You love that horse." Yennefer examined
"She was my first real friend," he remarked with a soft smile. "I had my brothers sure, but.. she was the first one I ever made a real connection with. I saved her from a trap when she was just a babe, I was young. Maybe eleven or twelve."
"That beast got stuck in a trap?" Jaskier questioned giving Roach some gentle pats to let her know he in fact did not believe her a beast.
"She was only a filly then, didn't know traps for rabbits were common." He smiled watching Ciri snuggle into Yennefer's lap. Her white hair making almost a halo around her as she laid against Yennefer's purple cloak. "She learned with time, as we all do. Well maybe all of us." Geralt chuckled teasing Jaskier who in fact only a week prior had stumbled over a few rabbit traps that Geralt had set not looking for the traps.
Jaskier blushed and hid his face, the glow of the fire illuminating them. "She's been a great companion." Yennefer agreed. "She's strong, and brave. Saved our Ciri from a beast or two."
Roach stomped her feet a few times pleased with the praise she was receiving. Jaskier smiled and began to strum his lyre. "One day I will come up with a song for you my dear." He mused rubbing the tuffs of fur just above her hooves. She stomped once more bobbing her head as he she was agreeing with the idea.
"She will always be my best friend," the Witcher agreed as he stood back up and began to brush out her tail, she flicked it for a moment before allowing him to continue. "She's been a great companion, and an even better friend. Even when I didn't know what I was getting myself into she was always there. To bail me out or help me continue down the path."
He pressed his forehead to Roach's snout, the two sat that way for a moment before he patted her side and sat back down with his family around the warm fire. He had everyone he knew he needed to protect as close to him as possible. He knew if he ever needed to send one of his family on a run, Roach would be there to protect them too.