Fanfictions

Yule Tide Joy

Jaskier was busy decorating the tree while the witchers watched him curiously. They didn't celebrate Yule, or any holiday really. Little bells hung from the branches of the crooked pine tree Jaskier had begged Eskel to drag in. Beads of fine jewelry that clearly came from Jaskier's collection wrapped around the branches in spirals.

"It's fun, celebrating the solstices is a good way to thank the gods for the season changes and for what they've brought us and will be bringing to us." Jaskier explained when lambert came up behind him with crossed arms and question in his squinted eyes. The lines in his face were scrunched.

"Jaskier we just don't celebrate the holidays." Lambert tried to explain but the sad look in Jaskier's bright blue eyes was enough to get them to reconsider for just one night.

"Why don't you celebrate the holidays?" Jaskier asked as he began to wrap the tree with garland and dried oranges.

"We just don't. We don't feel very lucky about our endeavors, the gods didn't bless us." Coën remarked.

"You all are still alive." Jaskier retorted. "You get to travel and save people that I'm sure thank the gods for you during the holidays."

Geralt's brow furrowed as Jaskier laid out offerings to the gods for the coming season and for their deeds. "You have a lot to be grateful for that you just don't see. You've got this beautiful home, while cold yes, it's still a home. I know what it's like to live on the streets. Who find shelter in the cold of night behind barrels and hay. You have food, and drink. You have each other."

The men looked about one another, sorry looks on their faces for being so ungrateful about what they actually had. Vesemir walked into the main room and noted the change in atmosphere. A strange looking tree sat in the middle and Jaskier was busy telling the boys about something while they looked just as they had when they did something wrong as young boys.

"What's all this?" Vesemir asked as he picked up a dried orange thumbing it over between his fingers. The smell of the hall was delightful, but he was confused.

"Yule." Jaskier mumbled. "The boys seem to think they have no reason to celebrate the seasons or the gods."

"Ah." He smiled softly seeing how hopeful Jaskier looked as he returned back to the tree for a moment before he tapped his shoulder.

"If you say no I understand, but the medallions of the fallen boys. May I put them on the table with the offerings, so their spirits will feel welcome and also be surrounded with warmth and light this Yule? I wish to ask the gods for their safe passage in the underworld, no matter how long it's been since their deaths. I feel it's important to remember those who've gone on, to celebrate their lives and their deaths. To thank them for what they've done for us in life. I'm sure one of them has impacted me in a way I do not know, killing some sort of creature that if they had not would have ruined me or a village I've traveled to during my time."

Vesemir smiled, tears seemed to wade in his eyes. "Please my boy, please feel free to put them on your table. I'll go get them."

Jaskier smiled as he waited for the man to return. Vesemir helped Jaskier place the medallions on the table, sadness in his eyes. "They were great children, each one my own."

"Great men, saved countless lives and gave theirs in the battle of life. Thank you for allowing me to do this, to include them even from the grave." Jaskier placed his hand on each one for a moment, lining the animal that signified them in life. The metals shining from the offering table surrounded by goodies, candles, and other items that Jaskier deemed necessary.

The Witcher's watched him softly, they assumed celebrating the holidays was all about what you could receive and thanking the gods for their cruelty, but the little bard had once again shown them an invaluable lesson. Jaskier soon began to strum his lute singing tales of old, the music brought joy and cheer. The men raised their glasses as thanks to what they had, and for the lives that they still were able to carry through with. They wished their fallen brothers safe travels beyond the vail, thanked the gods for their blessing to still be alive and take the path when the snow had fallen.

"We do have to thank them for the snow, that allows us to stand together once again as family." Coën mumbled as he rose his glass. "Without the snow we would be on our path non stop, no reprieve. We would not have a time to worry less, we would not have a moment to see one another's faces before we go back to killing monsters and saving lives."

The men raised their glasses once again, glasses clinging and mead sloshing. Jaskier was happy to see them get into the spirit, to realize what they actually had versus what they didn't. The bard disappeared for a while, before he returned with a grand meal for the boys to descend upon.

Jaskier continued to strum his lyre once he got something to eat. He offered a plate to Vesemir once he spent a few moment alone at the offering table dropping a coin on it under each medallion. Tears soiled the flower petals Jaskier had laid out before he finally put himself together.

The mood of the hall has drastically risen, there was laughter and singing and stories being shared. Memories of old, and tales of new were shared between the brothers while Jaskier played music and finished decorating the Yule tree.

Vesemir clasped Jaskier's shoulder, startling him before he calmed. "Thank you for bringing their joy back Jaskier." He sighed for a moment as he watched his boys drink and share food. "Thanks for bringing my joy back."

Jaskier beamed as he turned to look over the men he had grown to call family. He was happy to see their smiles, happy to see the hurt washing away as they shared a moment with each other to actually talk and express their feelings.