Chapter Text
Jaskier groaned, "Why are we going to Eirian again? I didn't think they had any monsters there."
"Hmmm." Was Geralt's only response to the bards rambling.
"Seriously Geralt, some background would be nice. I want to know what we are getting ourselves into. You just barged into the inn I was playing at, and demanded I join you in this quest. What is going on?"
Geralt glared at Jaskier, "I have received a letter from the king. His daughter is supposedly in danger. I'm not sure what kind of danger, but he has offered to pay handsomely for my services."
"How heroic! Geralt saving a princess! I can't wait to tell this story!"
Geralt rolled his eyes at the bard before resuming his silent thoughts. He had never gotten a request like this. He wasn't a savior, he was a monster killer. Was it really wise to have Jaskier with him? He was known for wooing women. But, the King and Queen had asked for him specifically to be with Geralt.
"Seriously boys you are going to Eirian as well?" An all too familiar female voice inquired.
"Yen? What are you doing here?"
"Yes seriously, witch, what are you doing here?" Jaskier echoed Geralt's question.
"The Queen of Eirian has asked me to look after her daughter. She believes that the princess may have hints of chaos magic."
"So? Deal with her chaos magic after we get rid of whatever the king wants Geralt to protect her from." Jaskier huffed.
"Sorry bard you are stuck with me. Though it leads me to wonder why you are here?"
"Enough, both of you. Like it or not the king and queen of Eirian want us all. We will find out why when we get there." Geralt groaned longing for silence.
Jaskier and Yennefer both gave each other a glare but opted to follow in silence.
It took them almost seven days to reach Eirian from where they had been. During that time, Geralt made sure to find them a safe place to regroup should they become separated. As they got neared the kingdom, the glittering castle could be seen from miles away. Geralt watched and shook his head as Jaskier was almost jumping with joy ready for a warm meal and a cozy bed to lay on.
*************
"My lord and my lady, the witcher, the mage, and the bard have been seen approaching the city." A castle guard said kneeling in front of the king and queen.
"Thank you." The Queen said dismissing the guard before turning to a servant, "make sure everything is ready. We are to have a grand feast tonight."
"A grand feast? What for?" You inquire, appearing next to your mother.
"We will have Geralt of Rivia here along with some friends of his." Your mother replied.
You groan, you know you're stronger than what your parents believe you to be. Your father had the general train you in sword fighting from the time you were a small child. Whatever this creature was that was out to get you, was nothing you couldn't handle.
"Mom really?"
"Stop your groaning, and go get dressed y/n. They will be here by dinner."
"Yes mother." You say as you curtsy before turning away and rolling your eyes.
You begin to wonder if it's not just for your safety, but if your parents were trying to set you up for a marriage again. They had always been intrigued by that prophecy.
***********
As nightfall hit, Geralt, Jaskier, and Yennefer made their way into the palace.
"Hello, our esteemed guests, welcome to Eirian." The king greeted them at the castle door before he gestured them into the banquet hall.
"It smells so good." Jaskier said, almost visibly drooling.
Neither Geralt nor Yennefer said anything as they made their way inside. The room was filled to the brim with people in dresses and nice clothes laughing and dancing. Everyone stopped and bowed to the king as he guided the group towards the head table. Whispers could be heard among the crowd as everyone wondered why a witcher was there, and who these other two people were.
"My love, and my daughter, this is Geralt of Rivia, he is here to help."
"Pleasure to meet you. May I inquire as to who is with you." You ask, looking both men up and down.
"Princess, this is Jaskier, he is one of my most trusted friends and allies. Next to me is Yennefer. She told me she had a summons to come here." Geralt grunted.
"Yes she did. I asked her to come here. Geralt and Yennefer, if the king and I may speak to you in private about why you are here. Darling, make sure Jaskier gets some food and whatever else he requires." The Queen placed a gentle hand on her husband's back and motioned to Geralt and Yennefer to follow.
Your mother gave you a stern glare after she heard your sigh of protest. Rolling your eyes, you stood up and made your way down to Jaskier. You could practically see the hunger in the man's bright blue eyes.
"Come sit with me…Jaskier was it? We have plenty of food."
"Oh thank you! Geralt seems to forget that eating is a necessary thing." Jaskier replied, following the beautiful princess to the table.
He was stunned by her beauty, and the way her eyes shone in the light. He was taken aback by the way that beautiful red dress fell against her body.
You both sat down where you watched the man eat while waiting patiently for your parents. As if he knew you were watching, he looks up and smiles at you with an almost devilish grin.
"So, why exactly is Geralt wanted here? It seems like a lovely kingdom to me." He inquires, leaning in close to you.
"I'm not really supposed to talk about it. But essentially there is supposedly a creature that has been plaguing the land. Mom and dad believe it may be after me now. That's all I'll say. What exactly do you do?" You inquire, noticing the lute sitting by his feet.
"Oh, I'm just a bard. Not really sure why Geralt brought me along. He doesn't even like my music." Jaskier scoffed.
"Ah a bard. Wait...I've heard of you. Aren't you the bard that goes from town to town wooing women and leaving them for that brooding witcher?"
"Hey! I don't go from town to town wooing and using women! Or abandoning them for Geralt!" Jaskier replied, looking hurt.
You give him a skeptical look. Before you could answer, one of the princes approached the table and asked you for a dance.
Jaskier watched you as you accepted, and made your way to the dance floor. He groaned and looked at the plate of food in front of him, no longer really hungry. If the King and Queen wouldn't tell him what was going on, why was he wanted here?
She is so beautiful…how can I show her that I am not as bad as she has heard? But even if I could, why would she want just a bard when she could have a prince? Jaskier thought to himself as he watched the princess dance and laugh.
***********
"So what is this creature you have hired me to take care of?" Geralt asked.
"Well we believe we are being plagued by a shapeshifter. The village has been complaining about seeing long dead relatives. Or strange creatures that are beyond belief. Some say they have even seen themselves." The King responded.
"Hmmmm"
"A shapeshifter really? That could be hard for us to track. What makes you think it's after your daughter?" Yennefer replied.
"We think she may have some powers that she's not completely aware of. That is why I wanted you here, Yennefer, as you are a very powerful sorceress. I fear the shapeshifter may want her powers." The Queen responded.
"What forms has it been known to take? What times of the day has it been seen?" Geralt chimed in.
"You would need to go back into the party and mingle with the guests, or let them come to you. They haven't really told us. All we know is that there is something plaguing our village. Please, you must help us." The Queen begged.
"I'm going to give you the payment now and more. Geralt of Rivia all I ask is if you cannot defeat this monster, that you will keep my daughter safe. I've heard tales of a possible ambush or attack as well. Please save her." The king pleaded, handing Geralt the money.
The Queen handed Yennefer the payment she promised her, "Yes you as well my dear. Keep her safe and if she has powers, do not let anyone take advantage of them."
"I will do my best. Well Geralt, shall we head back to the party?" Yennefer asked before turning and making her way out into the group of dancing people.
Geralt sighed and followed her. His eyes immediately began looking for Jaskier since the bard was last seen with the princess. After a moment he saw him sitting alone with a sad look on his face. He followed Jaskier's gaze, and found them locked on the princess who was dancing around the room with a tall man. The hair stood up on Geralt's neck…he knew that man...that man should be dead. He made his way over to Jaskier.
"What happened?" Geralt asked.
"She doesn't even know me and has bad thoughts about me! Basically said I leave women for you! As if those relationships just don't work on their own!" Jaskier huffed.
Geralt gave Jaskier a skeptical look and tried not to laugh.
"Has she been dancing with the same man this whole time?"
"I don't use women, I just haven't found the right one! Oh, uh, I'm not sure. I don't think that was the man she started off with."
"Hmmmm" Geralt's eyes landed back on the princess only to find that she had stopped dancing, and was approaching him.
"Geralt of Rivia pleasure to meet you properly. I'm y/n." You say with a mischievous grin.
"Was that man the same one you've been dancing with this whole time?"
"Oh, um, I believe so. Why?"
"You believe so, or you know so?"
"It was a dance! I may have ended up with someone else! I can't really say. Honestly no, that probably was a different man!" You huffed before turning away from the witcher and going over to see your parents.
"What's happening Geralt? Why are you so worried about who she was dancing with?" Jaskier inquired suddenly appearing next to Geralt.
"Stay close to her, Jaskier. Try not to lose sight of her. If you do, come and get me immediately."
"But Geralt…won't it be weird if I just hover over…" Jaskier stuttered.
"You are an entertainer are you not? Play some music. Talk about your songs. I don't care, just keep an eye on her!"
Jaskier nodded and sulked away towards the king and queen. Geralt shook his head uncertain if it was a good idea having Jaskier keeping an eye on the princess, but he didn't have much choice. He made his way into the crowd looking again for that face. It had to have been the face of the man that he had killed trying to defend Ciri. Geralt knew he couldn't get that face out of his mind, ever, but perhaps he had imagined it this time.
“Any luck yet?” Yennefer inquired, appearing in front of him suddenly.
“No…though I swear I saw that Nilfgaardian soldier that tried to kill Ciri a few years back.”
"Wait, you mean the one you killed? How is that possible?".
Geralt gave Yennefer a stern look before continuing to move through the crowd keeping a watchful eye out.
"Do you think she's really safe with Jaskier? Shouldn't we tell him so he can be on guard?" Yennefer stated, finally seeing Jaskier with the royal family.
"Yen…I trust him. He is honestly probably safer with her than she is with him. I've heard she is a formidable fighter."
Yennefer sighed, but before she could explain, a loud boom could be heard outside. They both looked at each other and then back towards Jaskier and the royal family.
The king looked at Geralt with a worried look on his face. Geralt made his way to the nearest window and looked out. He saw all the soldiers running towards the gate, meaning someone was trying to break in.
"The castle is under siege! Everyone should get out!" Yennefer shouted, as she appeared next to Geralt and saw what was happening outside
Immediately, people began to scream, and start to panic. Geralt gave Yennefer a cold glare before making his way over to where the royal family still stood.
"We need to go now. You have a small amount of time. If you'd like to pack a few belongings you better hurry."
The Queen put a gentle hand on the princess's back, and urged her to go pack her stuff. Geralt nodded at Jaskier signaling he wanted him to follow and make sure nothing happened to her.
*********
The king went off to fight with his men, and make sure the castle was secure. Geralt wasn't entirely sure where the queen had gone, but he knew his main charge was the princess. He had Jaskier and the princess meet him in the servants quarters to avoid detection.
"Alright, no matter what happens be suspicious of everyone. Your parents have told me they believe the main enemy is a shapeshifter. We aren't sure but it seems to be true." Geralt told them.
You roll your eyes, not really convinced there was truly any danger outside of the army trying to bust through the gate. But you follow Geralt out to the hallway. You gasp as you pass a window and see the battle that was unfolding below. Jaskier gently pulls on your black cape draped across your shoulders, encouraging you to keep following Geralt.
"I can help fight. Please let me go help them." You whisper to Jaskier.
He looks at you with the biggest blue eyes you've ever seen, even in this dark room. You know his answer before he can even say it. Nodding solemnly you go to follow Geralt but he had disappeared from your sight. You both look at each other, when you hear a grunt of pain that you knew was Geralts.
Quickly, you run towards the scuffle, curious. Just as you get closer, you hear a malicious laugh, and see Geralt's body flying towards you. You flatten yourself against the wall trying to avoid being hit.
Geralt stands up as his eyes land on you, he grabs you by the arm dragging you down the hall, "there is a dangerous creature up ahead. I need to fight it off. You both will need to find a way out on your own."
Without warning Geralt practically throws you into Jaskier's arms. You brace yourself against the bard's chest, thankful he was strong enough to catch you.
"I can help you fight this creature, let me do it!" You turn away from Jaskier and yell at Geralt, Jaskier held on to your waist, preventing you from running towards Geralt.
"No! You need to get out of here. Whatever it is, it's after you. Now go! Jaskier, you know where to take her!" Geralt shouted running back down the hall.
"Come on, he's right. Where do we go to get out of here?" Jaskier asked, gently pulling you by your waist back in the opposite direction.
You tried to struggle free of his grip, but he was too strong. Realizing it was futile you gave in, but you knew you had to get yourself some form of weapon to defend yourself so you led him to the armory.
"Wait…this isn't an exit. What are we doing here?" Jaskier inquired, as he stopped in the doorway.
"Well we need weapons, there's an army outside, and apparently creatures running around this castle!"
You wander for a moment, knowing which weapons you wanted.
"I'm just a bard…"
Using all your strength you jump up to the two swords hanging on the wall, and force them down. They clatter to the floor. You grab them and hand one to Jaskier.
"Do you expect to save me with the lute on your back? Trust me, just wave it around, and make it look like you know what you are doing. If we survive, I can give you a proper lesson if you'd like."
Jaskier tried not to blush as you grabbed his hand, and showed him the way out to the courtyard.
"This has been way too easy. I feel we should have run into someone by now." Jaskier said, looking nervously around the courtyard.
"Everyone must be by the gate fighting. We need to find horses or something. It's not practical to keep running." You say immediately heading towards the stables.
Without warning, a powerful blow knocked you off your feet. Gasping for breath you turn and see a soldier coming towards you, his sword drawn and shield in front of him.
"Ah princess (y/f/n), there you are." The soldier sneered, he was clearly wearing the Nilfgaard colors.
Jaskier firmly planted himself between you and the soldier. Knowing he wasn't quite able to fight off the soldier, you quickly stood up, ignoring the pain that coursed through your body, and moved to stand next to him.
"What do you want with me?" You inquire.
"Oh, I'm sure you know why we are here. You need to marry the prince, and ensure our kingdom's safety with your…powers."
"No!" the king shouted, coming from nowhere.
"Father!" You shout watching your father knock the soldier across the head, and watch in horror as the soldier falls to the ground.
"He's only unconscious. You need to leave now. Both of you! Get out of here!" Your father said.
You start sobbing, and go to argue with your father. Before you can, he shakes his head and drags the unconscious soldier out of sight. Jaskier puts a comforting hand on your shoulder as he gently pulls you towards the stable. Once in the stable, luck was on your side as you both saw the horse.
"Only one…what shall we do." Jaskier wonders aloud.
"Guess we will have to share. Get on." You say trying to mount the horse when a sudden pain in your side from where the soldier hit you, caused you to fall to the ground in pain.
"Y/n!" Jaskier shouts running to your side.
You glance down and see some blood on your light pink dress.
"The soldier must have hit me harder than I thought." You say grasping your side.
You could hear shouts from near the stable. Jaskier looks at you in fear before he picks you up off the floor. You both work together to get you situated on the saddle, Jaskier following to sit behind you.
He wrapped one of his arms around you holding you close to him to make sure you stayed on the saddle. Ignoring the surge of feelings, and pain you felt and also the shock of how strong Jaskier was, you grab the reins and navigate the horse out into the woods as fast as you can.
"Where is this meeting place Geralt wants you to take me?" You inquire when you feel far enough out of harm's way.
"Give me the reins. It's not far." Jaskier leans into, you gently taking the reins from you.
You lean against Jaskiers chest and try to process all that has happened. Your whole body ached from the soldier hitting you, probably with his shield, and you worried about why you were bleeding. But that was almost irrelevant as the pain of knowing your family was probably dead, swept through you.
What did that Nilfgaardian soldier want? What did the creature Geralt had been fighting, want with you? You knew you had powers, but you didn't think they were anything worth all of this madness.
Jaskier must have known all your emotions were hitting you, because he used the arm he had wrapped around to give you a slight squeeze.
"It'll be okay we are nearly there. Then I will make sure that soldier didn't injure you too badly. You've been through a lot, please talk to me if you need to." Jaskier whispered in your ear.
You gently put your hand on the arm that is holding you. As much as you want to spill your heart and emotions out to him, right now wasn't the time to do it.
"You're a bard, right? Sing me a song if you don't mind. I just want a distraction. Or tell me a story if you'd rather not sing. Please."
Jaskier smiled, and told you a story about how he met Geralt and the adventure they went on.
You were uncertain how true it was, but just hearing his voice was calming you. It lead you to wonder if the prophecy your mother had told you about was possibly true, and if Jaskier was the man in it. All of a sudden, a sharp pain seized your body and you fell unconscious against Jaskier.