POV Ciri Running easily through the woods, dodging branches, I chased a rabbit that darted fast but the natural obstacles kept forcing it to slow down, letting me close the gap.
Thanks to my training, I could move through bushes and rough terrain far more easily now, even if a branch occasionally whipped across me, leaving a thin cut behind.
But my eyes stayed locked on the rabbit.
Dodging one last branch mid-run, I spotted an opening.
I slid across the wet ground around a tight turn and grabbed the rabbit, struggling between my fingers I finished it off cleanly with my knife.
Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I looked at the castle, a little further off.
Aiden still hadn’t woken up, even though he no longer needed as much magical support as before just one session a day now, which Yennefer handled personally.
The months had flown by surprisingly fast, and spring had just arrived.
And today was my birthday.
Ironic, right?
I was turning twelve today and I’d be celebrating without him.
Walking back toward the castle, wiping the dirt off my hands, I found myself thinking about the two sorceresses.
I’d grown incredibly close to Triss I talked to her about everything, but mostly about my feelings.
With Geralt, I know he’d have just nodded uncertainly if I’d tried explaining what I was feeling.
He’s a great protector, but pretty useless when it comes to emotions.
Not that it matters just having him around is enough to reassure me most of the time.
As for Yennefer… let’s just say it’s more complicated.
I think our personalities complement each other, but even I have to admit we both need the last word and sometimes, I’m the one who’s wrong.
I muttered under my breath, frustrated: “But I’ll never tell her she’s right.” Arriving at Kaer Morhen’s gates Geralt had sent me out to hunt my own meal, apparently some witcher tradition for birthdays I saw Geralt, still wrapped in bandages, and couldn’t help smiling as I showed off my catch.
“I got the rabbit!” He nodded, teasing.
“I see that.
But you know there’s seven of us here, right?
Planning on splitting it seven ways?” I shook my head, patting his arm, amused, already walking toward the castle gate.
“Nope, not for you guys.
It’s for Aiden.” He nodded; I could still see that stubborn guilt lingering in his eyes.
But I didn’t blame him anymore honestly, I don’t think I ever really did.
Sighing, because sometimes he and Aiden were way too alike, I stopped, forcing him to stop too, and pulled him into a hug.
“Geralt, listen.
I don’t blame you.
I never blamed you.
It was just the heat of the moment and I know Aiden.
He’ll never hold this choice against you.” He smiled faintly, wrapping his arms around me.
“I hope so too, Ciri that Aiden wakes up someday.
But even if neither of you blames me, I’ll probably keep feeling guilty about it anyway.
That’s normal, don’t worry comes with the responsibility.
But thank you, your words really do mean a lot to me.” I nodded, smiling, and walked toward the door.
Stepping inside, I saw Yen and Triss holding a dress that froze me in my tracks, the other three witchers grinning like idiots.
The whole hall had been completely transformed into a party space, and Lambert’s sarcastic voice rang out, amused: “So, your little imaginary witcher hunt actually worked out?” Eskel sighed.
“Lambert…” It was Yennefer who shut him up with a single icy look.
I stood frozen in front of the dress a gorgeous blend of white and green.
I heard Geralt’s amused voice, his hand landing on my shoulder.
“Had to get you out of the castle somehow to set up the surprise.
Sorry for lying to you.” I shook my head, wiping my tears, and stepped toward the dress not without first shoving the rabbit into Lambert’s hands, sticking my tongue out at him.
I ran toward Triss, about to touch the fabric, but Yennefer caught my sleeve.
“Nope.
You’re filthy.
Come on, little one.” Then she held my arm firmly, walking toward her room, Triss following with the dress, and said softly: “Yennefer’s right.
You need to look stunning tonight, Ciri.” — POV Geralt I watched the three of them walk off, relieved to see Ciri really didn’t blame me.
Eskel approached, Lambert trailing behind him, teasing.
“So, what’s it like watching her turn into a real young lady?” I looked at Eskel, amused.
“Strange, I’ve gotta admit.
Time flies way too fast.” Lambert laughed, starting to deal with the rabbit.
“Sounds like something Vesemir would say.” Vesemir, who’d just pulled out his old party hat and was already busy with dinner prep, answered flatly at the remark: “At least Geralt’s got the wisdom of an elder, like me.
You, Lambert, I’ll apparently need to keep teaching that wisdom to.” Lambert snorted, amused, and went to sit at the already-set table with Eskel.
It warmed my heart, honestly, even if you wouldn’t guess it from looking at me.
I knew Lambert was still somewhat cold toward Vesemir when he’d learned about the whole plan, and that Vesemir had kept the formula hidden all along, he’d flown into a rage.
He’d ended up disappearing into the woods for several days to cool off; I know him well enough to know he’d gone to sit by the unmarked graves of former witcher apprentices.
Eskel was less expressive about it, but I knew he’d taken Vesemir’s lie hard too.
Even I’d felt a sting of betrayal when I found out.
But saving Aiden was my top priority and even though it turned my stomach, I’d come to accept it.
At least it was all in Triss’s hands now.
I sat down with Lambert, who wore a clearly provocative grin.
“Heard the famous White Wolf can’t even beat a couple of kids at gwent.” I pulled out my own deck of cards, dead serious.
“That’s an insult, Lambert.
You’re gonna regret that.” A few minutes later, I’d already lost twenty crowns to him.
Seriously, his monster deck isn’t even that complicated, and yet somehow he gets me every single time, without fail… Lambert burst out laughing, openly mocking me.
Eskel laughed too until he stopped dead, Lambert right along with him, both of them staring at something behind me, whistling low, visibly impressed.
I turned around and found Ciri in her dress, Triss gently holding her by the shoulders, beaming.
Ciri was blushing slightly, her hair pulled back into a ponytail.
She’d grown up so much, without me even really noticing.
She looked at me, almost as if waiting for my verdict.
I smiled softly.
“You look beautiful, Ciri.
Like a real lady.” She laughed softly.
Triss came to sit beside me, Ciri taking the other side, Yennefer settling at the head of the table.
Lambert couldn’t help but say, genuinely this time: “Honestly, you look a lot less like a tomboy now.” Eskel and I sighed in unison: “Lambert…” Yennefer let out a disdainful laugh, pointing at Lambert while sipping her wine.
“And then you wonder why you’ve never got a sorceress at your feet.
No point having a pretty face if you’ve got zero tact.” I heard Triss sigh beside me: “Yen…” Ciri, meanwhile, was clearly enjoying the show.
Lambert burst out laughing, looking at Yen.
“Oh yeah?
I’m only taking away one thing from that: you said I’ve got a pretty face.
Even the great and terrifying Yennefer of Vengerberg just paid me a compliment.” She sighed, keeping that same disdainful smile.
“If it makes you happy, Lambert.” The two of them kept bickering, though it was clearly more for the fun of it, all in good spirits Ciri herself kept throwing in a jab here and there, just for the pleasure of winding Yen up.
She really loves that, apparently.
I felt a hand slide into mine.
Turning, I saw Triss smiling.
“It’s good to see you more relaxed.” I sighed, squeezing her hand.
“Was it that obvious?” She nodded, amused.
“Let’s just say sometimes you looked like you were constipated.” I sighed with an amused smile.
She stroked my hand with her thumb, then said softly: “Don’t worry my research on the potion’s showing good results.
I’m getting more and more confident it’ll be safe.” She continued, taking a bite of bread.
“Aiden’s flowers have purifying properties that strip out a huge amount of the toxicity from the original Trial recipe.
Actually, if my theory holds up, we won’t even need to worry about more witchers like him popping up the potion will be exclusive to his body, literally impossible to replicate on anyone else.
But that’s still theoretical for now, I can’t guarantee it’ll work yet.” I nodded and kissed her.
“Thank you, Triss.” Vesemir arrived with the main course, putting an end to the bickering.
“All right, kids, that’s enough, let’s eat.” Serving everyone, he sat down himself and said: “Well.
Tonight’s a bit of a special occasion.” He turned to Ciri, smiling softly.
“Ciri.
Happy birthday.” Everyone raised their glass, shouting “happy birthday” together.
Ciri smiled, genuinely happy, thanking everyone.
As we ate, I had this feeling, just for a moment, that we were a real family.
My eyes drifted, almost against my will, to the spot between Vesemir and Triss: Vesemir had set an empty place, loaded with food, as if to say Aiden was part of this evening too, somewhere.
I closed my eyes for a moment to steady myself.
I swear it, Aiden: the moment you wake up, I’ll apologize to you, and I’ll protect you and Ciri both even if this whole world wants your powers, I’ll protect you, no matter what it takes.
The minutes passed.
We finished off the cake Triss and Yen had brought back through their teleportation.
Lambert, finishing his drink, said: “Ah, nice to have something sweet.
So, Ciri, what’s your wish?
It’s your birthday, after all.” Ciri smiled, a little sadly.
“I’ve only got one wish.
That Aiden wakes up.” I sighed Lambert, without meaning to, had completely shifted the mood with that question.
I watched Ciri stand up, take Aiden’s plate in her hands, and smile softly.
“Thanks for the birthday.
I’ll never forget it.
I’m gonna go celebrate with him now.” She left, an extra piece of cake in her other hand, heading down the hallway toward the bedrooms.
I started to get up to follow her, but Triss held me back, shaking her head.
“No.
Let her go.” I hesitated, but eventually nodded, my eyes still fixed on the hallway.
I heard Yen land one last jab on Lambert: “Nice work, pretty face.” Lambert, finally catching the reference, just grumbled: “Shut up, Yen.” — POV Ciri I’d just closed the bedroom door behind me, smiling softly at seeing him still asleep.
He still wasn’t waking up.
Taking off the heels Triss had given me, I walked over to the stool beside him.
Every night, I came to see him, to feed him he could eat, drink, but he never woke up.
Sitting down, I started feeding him gently, and said, into the silence of the room: “I managed to kill a rabbit, you know.
Caught it mid-chase!” I laughed alone in the silence.
“You should’ve seen Lambert and Yennefer tonight.
I definitely won that argument.” I kept talking, alone.
“You know, they gave me a dress.
First time I ever really felt like a woman.” I went on, but felt tears rising, my voice starting to shake.
“The cake, it was your favorite flavor.
The one I don’t even really like.” Finishing feeding him, I bit my trembling lips, holding back my tears with everything I had.
“You know… I loved our family, tonight, so…” I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
I laid my head on his chest, crying, overwhelmed with sadness.
“I miss you, Aidy.
It’s not the same, my birthday, without you.
Please wake up.
I miss you so much.
I don’t want to lose you.” I kept crying, stammering through my sobs.
“Aiden… I can’t imagine my life without you… come back to me, please.
I miss you so much.
You promised you’d be by my side.” But only silence, and my tears, echoed in that room.
— POV Geralt I had my hand pressed over my face.
I hadn’t been able to stop myself from following her in silence, and hearing her cry, hearing those words, I clenched my fists until they bled, squeezing my eyes shut as hard as I could.
Then I felt my head pulled gently against Triss’s chest, her hand stroking my hair, murmuring: “Don’t hold it back.
Not with me, Geralt.” I held her tightly, biting my lip, holding back my own tears with everything I had because yeah, I missed Aiden terribly too.
And even for me, it just wasn’t a real birthday, without him.