Chapter Text
When Lambert woke up he made another notch in the wall, because if nothing else Lambert is a dramatic little shit. It’s only been 19 days since Vesemir’s departure, but Lambert was sure his papa will return today. So he goes about his daily chores, feeding the animals, cleaning, and getting the keep ready for Winter.
He spends the better part of the day business himself, after that he has an hour or so before he needs to start dinner, normally that was Vesemir’s job. Lambert was wicked at alchemy his housecraft on the other hand could still use some work. So dinner for two is bland, overcooked, not like how papa would make it so he really doesn’t eat much and is very lonely.
After dinner, he leaves the plates for the morning and goes to sleep in Vesemir’s room.
He didn’t return today.
But that’s okay. He’ll be back tomorrow.
It’s day 36 and Lambert has not moved from Vesemir’s room in 4 days. The first day he tore everything to pieces screaming angrily at his Papa for leaving him. The following days were a messy pattern of repairing and destroying.
It is on the fifth day that Geralt and Jaskier arrive first.
Geralt immediately knows something is wrong, Vesemir’s scent is stale. Lamb’s was fresher but not fresh enough. The few animals that Vesemir kept began wailing in earnest, the old training Horse they used for Lambert began bucking in her stale.
“Geralt is-”
“Not now,” Geralt growls, his home was under threat for the second time in his lifetime. “Stay with roach, wake for my signal, and be prepared to flee the keep.”
“Flee? Geralt I don’t think - and he’s gone inside great.” Jaskier sighed, Roach nudged Jaskier’s back getting the bard’s attention. “Sure girl let's get you out of the cold.”
After leaving Jaskier out in the yard, Geralt stalked into the great hall steel sword drawn and held down in a defensive stance. So far no sign of either of the two occupants or the stench of death Geralt has yet to decide if that was a good sign.
The Great hearth was cold to the touch, and the remains of firewood were crudely chopped indicating that Lambert had run out of stock and had to chop the wood himself. Checking and clearing every room Geralt could feel his heart beat faster his mind drifting to thoughts of Lambert.
Of the young witcher hurt or dead somewhere, or of him dying alone because Vesemir was who knows where not here to defend the keep or his pup. His mind played a cruel trick making him believe he could hear Lambert’s cries, drifting thru the halls but as he got closer to the bed chambers his ear did pick up sounds. A soft whimper, ‘Papa, please I’ll be good I promise.”
Geralt couldn't help the growl that escaped him, throwing Vesemir’s chamber doors open. Allow the cold air out as well as the built-up stench. The bed was in disarray, the pillows and the mattress is torn, curtains were ripped as if a cat had taken its claws to them. The wardrobe was on the ground, open clothes littered the floor but no blood.
Dropping his sword Geratl darted forward once he spotted his little brother, curled in a makeshift nest under the bed.
“Lambert!” Geralt called too loudly, given how the boy curled further in on himself.
“GO away!” Lambert cried, “I want papa!”
“Lamb please I’m sorry.” Geralt stated in a lower tone, laying flat on his stomach trying to fit under the bed to get a better look.
The boy was dirty, probably laying in his own filth, his normally bright red curls were tangled and matted in some areas. Wearing one of Vesemir’s night shirts, probably trying to calm himself with the scent, but Geralt could tell it was old.
“How long as Ves-has papa been gone?” Geralt asked, afraid of the answer Vesemir would never intentionally do this not to lambert, even though he was starting to worry about Vesemir where was the old bastard.
“A month…maybe more…I stopped keeping count.” Lambert's cries were muffled, his face pressed down into his nest.
“Okay..well I’m here now pup. Let's get you fed and cleaned up there is someone i want you to meet and he’s very excited to meet you.”
Lambert gave a soft chirp in response, every winter since Geralt mentioned Jaskier the boy was interred in meet the bard. He was tired of the same old stories from the same old witchers, he wanted to hear music. Lambert even told Eskel once he wonder if Jaskier would teach him to play.
“Oh okay.” Shimming out of his nest, hands clutching a small blanket that served as a comfort item.
Jaskeir waited, and waited but after ten minutes the bard felt he waited enough. Stepping into the great hall Jaskeir was left in aw. Sure some of the architecture was crumbling, and the support beams really didn't offer much support but still. The bard looked at the tens of long tables and couldn't help but imagine the number of witchers that once ate here. But his imagination would have to wait he had a witcher to find. It took him a few minutes to find the right staircase that would lead him to Geralt after he made the mistake of climbing to the battlements.
“Jaskier,” Geralt cursed and instantly felt guilty as Lambert whimpered and buried his face against Geralt’s neck. “I told you to wait outside.”
“I know dear but - the wait is that Lambert? He’s not dead is he?”
“No no, just -” Geralt was at a loss for words, to describe the unnatural state the youngest witcher was in, adjusting his hold he continued “He just needs a bath and some food. I’ll need your bath oil his hair is matted.”
“Oh, the poor dear.” Jaskier walked closer, also taking note of the boy’s condition. “I don't understand where is Vesemir?”
Jaskier had met the other witcher a few months prior to an evaluation Geralt had called it, no one was allowed at the keep unless Vesemir cleared them first after being told of the sacking and Lambert’s..situation he understood the precaution.
“Papa? Is papa here?” Lambert asked, peeking out from his hiding spot.
“Not yet pup..I’m sure he’s doing everything he can to get back.”
“hmm…I dreamt he came back, ya know dream papa wasn’t very nice.” Lambert didn't elaborate anymore on his dream.
“I’ll get some water onto the fire then.” Jaskier offered,
“No need, I’ll take him down to the hot springs.”